CONCERT: DEC. 22

"The People's Champ" DJ Paul Wall, right, will be live in concert with that infamous and expensive diamond dental work (one lucky guest could win a free grill — that's the dental stuff), courtesy of Johnny Dang aka King of Bling). Also performing are B.E.T., James Cole and his United DJs, Goodvybe, DJ720 and Xntrik.

8 p.m. Dec. 22 / Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park / $20 advance, $25 at the door, $50 VIP / 18 and older / 674-9283, 723-9961.

Also: Wall will appear at the teens-only Suga Suga Unity Massive 2006, 7 p.m. to midnight Dec. 20. $20 with flyer. 479-3008.

CONCERT: DEC. 29

The Honolulu Symphony once again ushers in the new year with Beethoven's grand Ninth Symphony, which celebrates the potential of humankind. The orchestra is joined by soprano Lea Woods Friedman, mezzo-soprano Georgine Stark, tenor Erik Haines and bass Leslie "Buzz" Tennent; and the 120-voice Honolulu Symphony Chorus. Also on the program: Verdi's "Hymn of the Nations (Inno delle nazioni)." JoAnn Falletta conducts.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $28-$78; discounts for seniors, students and military / 792-2000, www.honolulusymphony.com.

COMEDY: DEC. 29

You just saw him guest-star on the "Everybody Hates Chris" Thanksgiving episode. Now see comedian/actor/singer Wayne Brady live at the Sheraton Waikiki. Known for his skits on "The Wayne Brady Show" and "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" Brady has most recently starred as the host of Fox TV's "Celebrity Duets."

7:30 and 10 p.m. Dec. 29 / Sheraton Waikiki hotel, Hawaii Ballroom / $55 / (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

Also: Brady performs at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater, $35, $45 and $55. (808) 242-7469, www.mauiarts.org.

CELEBRATION: DEC. 31

It's not just a concert, it's a ball! — a Thunder Ball. Host Andy Bumatai leads the New Year countdown at "Presented in 3-G: Gourmet, Glitz and Glamour." Get your new year started with Rock Hard Hawaii, below, 24/7 DanceForce, DJs, Tihati's Casino Games, prizes, exotic sports cars, food and more. For 21 and older; tuxedos, a la James Bond, encouraged.

8 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 / Blaisdell Exhibition Hall / $145 plus applicable service charges / (877) 750-4400, 591-2211.

CELEBRATION: DEC. 31

Disco survivors The Pointer Sisters will ring in the new year with a concert at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. Among the trio's biggest tunes are "Jump (For My Love)," "I'm So Excited," "He's So Shy" and "Slow Hand." Ticket sales begin Dec. 19 at the hotel's main lobby. Party favors, a half-bottle of sparkling wine and one standard cocktail are included.

Doors open at 9 p.m. Dec. 31; pre-show entertainment at 9 p.m., Pointer Sisters at 10:30 p.m. / Coral Ballroom / $90 general, $120 silver, $170 gold, $200 platinum seating / 947-7877, www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/events.

CONCERT: JAN. 6

Nine-time Grammy Award winner Bonnie Raitt, below, will give you "Something to Talk About" as she stops in Hawai'i on her 2006 "Souls Alike" tour, named after her current CD. The veteran rhythm-and-blues singer/guitarist, known for "I Can't Make You Love Me" and "Love Sneakin' Up On You," was last here in January 2004.

7 p.m. Jan. 6 / Waikiki Shell / $27.50, $45 and $55 / (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com .

Also: 7 p.m. Jan. 7, Maui Arts & Cultural Center's A&B Amphitheater, $35, $45 and $55. (808) 242-7469, www.mauiarts.org.

CONCERT: JAN 6

New age, adult contemporary, gospel? Jack-of-all-genres Jim Brickman covers them all. He's even won a Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association. The composer/romance balladeer will stop in Honolulu as part of his "Escape" tour. Joining Brickman on stage are acoustic violinist David Klinkenberg and vocalist Jake Simpson.

8 p.m. Jan. 6 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $20, $40, $50 / (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

STAGE: JAN. 12-14

The Shanghai Circus, left, returns for three shows at the Hawai'i Theatre. The ensemble from The People's Republic of China will showcase coordination and formation, bend their bodies in every way possible and seemingly impossible, and glide through the air with ease. The eye-catching show is packed with lavish costumes and music for the entire family.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 12, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13-14 / Hawai'i Theatre /$22.50, $27.50, and $32.50 / 528-0506, www.hawaiitheatre.com.

CLUBS: JAN. 14

Blue October, right, whose October gig was postponed, is finally making an Island appearance in January. The Houston band specializes in songs that reflect life's little hang-ups such as depression, love, drugs and forgiveness and titles such as "Hate Me," "Into the Ocean" and "X-Amount of Words."

8 p.m. Jan. 14 / Pipeline Cafe / $28 general, $50 VIP / 589-1999, (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.