CONCERT: DEC. 19

Secondhand Serenade — aka vocalist/guitarist John Vesely, below — brings his acoustic rock/emo sounds to Honolulu. His second CD, "A Twist in My Story," was released in February. Vocalist/guitarist Joshua Radin, whose second CD is titled "Simple Times," guests.

8 p.m. Dec. 19 / Pipeline Cafe / $25 general, $50 VIP / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

CONCERTS: DEC. 20-21

The Honolulu Boy Choir, above, gets into the spirit of the season with a couple holiday programs — one titled "The Merriest Hawaiian Christmas" at Central Union Church (pre-concert entertainment by A Touch of Brass), with guest Taiko Youth Group of the Pacific; the other in Waikiki and hosted by Brickwood Galuteria and Kimo Kahoano as part of the ongoing series "Na Mele No Na Pua" ("Music for the Generations").

Doors open at 7 p.m. Dec. 20; concert at 7:30 p.m. / Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St. / Free; donations welcome / 596-7464

4-5:30 p.m. Dec. 21 / Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk's fourth-floor Grand Lanai / Free

ETC.: DEC. 27

"Las Vegas Strip" is the theme of the latest provocative show by Honolulu's own Cherry Blossom Cabaret. The 90-minute program begins at 10 p.m., and there's dancing till 2 a.m. Besides the Cherry Blossoms (including Violetta Beretta, right), The Padilla Quartet performs jazz and Vegas standards; and DJs Dusty Crates and The Mechanic Joey The Wrench will spin for all they're worth.

Doors open at 9 p.m. Dec. 27 / Loft Gallery and Lounge / $10 before 10 p.m., $15 afterward / www.myspace.com/cherryblossomburlesque

CONCERT: DEC. 27

The Honolulu Symphony and Symphony Chorus present Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, known simply as Beethoven's Ninth, the annual celebration for the new year. As usual, Friedrick Schiller's inspirational "Ode to Joy" is part of the program. Maestro Andreas Delfs conducts.

8 p.m. Dec. 27 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $20-$82 (or add $10 when pairing with another holiday concert) / 792-2000, www.honolulusymphony.com

NEW YEAR'S EVE: DEC. 31

Rock legend Foreigner, led by founder/chief songwriter Mick Jones, celebrates a new year, bringing a hits list that includes "Feels Like the First Time," "Cold as Ice," "Urgent," "I Want to Know What Love Is," "Waiting for a Girl Like You," "Hot Blooded" and "Double Vision." The band takes the stage at about 10:30 p.m. Party favors and champagne toast are included in each ticket.

9:15 p.m. Dec. 31; doors open at 8:30 p.m. / Sheraton Waikiki's Hawaii Grand Ballroom / $125 silver, $150 gold, $175 platinum front seating, $250 VIP includes meet-and-greet with the band / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

NEW YEAR'S EVE: DEC. 31

If you remember hit songs "Manic Monday," "Walk Like an Egyptian" and "Eternal Flame," you remember The Bangles, a pop/rock icon of the 1980s. The trio (formerly a foursome) of original members Susanna Hoffs, Debbie Peterson and Vicky Peterson reunited in 2003 to release "Doll Revolution." They'll be at the Hilton Hawaiian Village to rock in the new year, taking the stage at 10:45 p.m.

Doors open at 9 p.m. Dec. 31 / Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom / $90, $130 reserved; $200 VIP / 550-8457, www.honoluluboxoffice.com

DANCE: JAN. 3

Tickets go on sale today for a concert by dance crews Fanny Pak and SoReal Cru, right. The Los Angeles-based Fanny Pak, which includes Honolulu's own Cara "Barracuda" Horibe, was a top contender in "America's Best Dance Crew." The Houston-based SoReal also was a finalist on "America's Best Dance Crew."

7 p.m. Jan. 3 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $30, $40, $60 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

CONCERT: JAN. 5

Hit-maker Ne-Yo, left, whose latest CD "Year of the Gentleman" is a recent nominee for six Grammy awards, including best album, makes his Honolulu debut in the new year. Ne-Yo broke through with the multi-platinum "In My Own Words" in 2006. He's also a prolific songwriter (for stars including Rihanna, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige and others); and an occasional actor.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 5 / Blaisdell Arena / $35, $45, $55 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

COMEDY: JAN. 14

Fans of the NBC comedy "The Office" will recognize him as the warehouse guy Darryl. But Craig Robinson's comedy accomplishments go back 10 years, when he won the Oakland Comedy Competition. Since then, he's made a number of TV appearances, including Comedy Central's "Premium Blend," HBO's "Def Comedy Jam" and on sitcoms.

8:30 p.m. Jan. 14 / Pipeline Cafe / $20 general, $40 VIP / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com