Natchez — The first full weekend of the Natchez Festival of Music will shine with A Night of Stars and An Evening of Jazz, two exciting events with tremendous appeal.

For Night of Stars at 8 p.m. on Friday at New Covenant Presbyterian Church, the stars of “The Fantasticks” will perform some of their favorite selections. Bill Lewis, who has been a most beloved performer many times for the Natchez Festival of Music, will direct this event.

For An Evening of Jazz at 8 p.m. on Saturday, The Columns of Natchez spotlights two exceedingly popular artists from New York, Frank Ponzio on piano and vocalist Annie Kozuch.

Ponzio, a jazz pianist, composer, music director, educator and vocal coach, has written for TV commercials, plays, and films, as well as for radio and TV commercials for Kmart, Exxon, Campbell Soup, and Dunkin’ Donuts. He has performed with people such as Ben Vereen, Phil Donahue for his 25th anniversary televison show, Nancy LaMott at Madison Square Gardens and Baby Jane Dexter in cabaret venues in New York City.

His venues have included Trinity Church, the Museum of Modern Art, Carnegie Hall, Birdland and New York Town Hall.

Annie Kozuch has appeared in numerous plays, on television and in such venues as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Tokyo City Symphony Orchestra, among others. Her solo show, Diva’s Lament — an evening of jazz, standards, boleros, and bossa nova — highlights her versatility.

Raised in Mexico City, she performs in English, Spanish and Portuguese. These two artists will be backed by local performers Terry Trovato on percussion and Louis DeVries as bassist.

This year’s first Plantation Performance will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at Magnolia Hall, featuring Susan Ruggiero, with Danilo Mezzadri on flute and Elizabeth Moak on piano. Ruggiero was a vocalist in last year’s Festival and sang at the musical tribute for David Blackburn in October.