CONCERT: Dec. 31

The Big Island rocks in the new year as funky Bay Area band Tower of Power, below, grooves on over. The rock 'n' soul group made its mark with the hit "You're Still a Young Man," and went on to release other chart toppers, such as "What is Hip?" and "Soul Vaccination." Admission is $200 adults, $150 children 12 and younger for silver seating; $275 adults and $200 children gold seating; platinum tickets are sold out. Prices

include concert, dinner, champagne, beverages and party favors. A package that includes a golf-course or garden-view room and two silver seating tickets also is available.

8 p.m. Dec. 31 / Hilton Waikoloa Village, Big Island / (808) 886-1234

CONCERT: Dec. 31

Get ready for a hot New Year's Eve celebration as punk-reggae band Pepper prepares to spice up the night. The Skullconut Bangers Ball tour takes the boys all around the Islands, with the final stop in Honolulu to ring in 2005. Originally from Kona, the group's hits "Ashes" and "Give It Up" helped propel the boys to become a national success. Joining them will be local sensations Go Jimmy Go, Natural Vibrations and Black Square. Tickets: $29.50.

8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

The tour also travels to:

• 6:30 p.m. Dec. 28, Kukui Grove Pavilion on Kaua'i. With K-2 and The Highlanderz.

• 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at Lahaina Civic Center on Maui. With Gomega and Absence of Void.

• 7 p.m. Dec. 30 at Sangha Hall in Hilo. With Arena Productions.

Advance tickets: $17.50. (877) 750-4400

CLUBS: Dec. 31

Get Fresh! for 2005 as the weekly party brings in New York City DJs Sadeq and Mike Sike. Lounge and bar DJ Sadeq keeps it happening with his solid blend of deep tech and progressive house with a tribal twist. Sike brings on the jungle, hip-hop and techno beats while dividing his time between Florida and the Big Apple. Local DJs G-Spot, Lava, Mark, Sovern-T, Eskae and NSK also drop in. Cover is $8-$12, for 21 and older.

9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 / Indigo Eurasian Cuisine / 591-3500

CLUBS: Dec. 31

The Living Room prepares to bring down the house on the eve of the new year with international DJs Moshic, below, and Seven Star. Moshic, from Tel Aviv, is known around the world for his tight progressive house beats. Seven Star, from Miami, amazes the crowds with his talent for underground hip-hop mixes. Opening for Moshic is AYA's very own Archangel; Rise-Up and Wrong One from Direct Descendants start off the night for Seven Star. Pre-sale tickets are $12, for 21 and older

10 p.m.-4 a.m. Dec. 31 / The Living Room, Fisherman's Wharf

STAGE: Jan. 6-Feb. 5

Kumu Kahua Theatre next offers "David Carradine Not Chinese," left, a work by local playwright Darrell H.Y. Lum. This comedy about racial stereotypes takes a look at contemporary Hawai'i and 20th-century American media, including Charlie Chan movies, the TV series "Kung Fu" and the "Ed Sullivan Show." John H.Y. Wat directs. Cast members include Tristan Hiraishi, front, Alissa Joy Lee, left background, and Brent Yoshikami. Tickets are $5-$16.

8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Jan. 6-Feb. 5 / Kumu Kahua Theatre / 536-4441

STAGE: Jan. 7-9

See acrobatic feats like never before when the New Shanghai Circus drops by for a series of shows around the state. Children and adults perform side by side, showcasing their flexible prowess, artful balancing skills and awesome contortion ability. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30 general and $15 for seniors, children and military.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 7, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8, 2 p.m. Jan. 9 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

Also, the circus tumbles over to the Neighbor Islands:

• 1:30 and 4 p.m. Jan. 2, Kaua'i War Memorial Convention Hall. Tickets: $30 golden circle, $20 general, $9.95 children 12 and younger.

• 4 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5, Kahilu Theater on the Big Island. Tickets: $30 golden circle, $20 general, $8.50 children 12 and younger. (808) 885-6868.

• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6, Hilo Civic Auditorium. Tickets: $17.50 adult, $8.50 children 12 and younger.

STAGE: Jan. 12-30

Manoa Valley Theatre continues its 36th season with the comedy "Over the Tavern." Written by Tom Dudzik, the heartwarming play follows 12-year-old Rudy Pazinski as he shops around to choose a religion. Tickets are $25, with a $5 discount for military and seniors. Those 25 and younger pay $15.

7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays Jan. 12-30 / Manoa Valley Theatre / 988-6131

CONCERT: Jan. 12

General Public will take you there, as the two-tone ska band comes together again, fronted by Dave Wakeling. An offshoot of the '80s British band English Beat, the quirky and energetic group offered hits such as "Tenderness" and "Come Again." Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door, for 18 and older. Doors open at 7 p.m.

8 p.m. Jan. 12 / Pipeline Cafe / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: Jan. 21-22

Jazz great Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Legacy Band, above, promises a booming good time. It'll be an explosion of music and fun as Hayes, known as the "architect of post-bop modern jazz," brings down the house along with Vincent Herring on sax, Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Rick Germanson on piano and Vincent Archer on bass. Tickets are $20 general, $15 military, seniors, students, UH faculty and staff, and $10 UH-Manoa and Windward Community College students.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 / UH-Manoa, Orvis Auditorium / 944-2697, 956-8246

7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 / Windward Community College, Paliku Theatre / 944-2697, 956-8246

CONCERT: Jan. 23

Maui fans say hello Lisa as singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb, below, debuts songs from her latest album, "The Way It Really Is." Best known for her retro glasses and hit single "Stay (I Missed You)" from the "Reality Bites" soundtrack, the acoustic guitarist has also penned a children's book and hosted her own TV series on the Food Network. Tickets are $28.