DEC. 3

Haters back off when Miranda Sings. The alter ego of actress Colleen Ballinger has a huge following among folks delighted by her exaggerated sense of self-importance.

8 p.m. / Hawaii Theatre / $49.50-$75 / hawaiitheatre.com or 528-0506

DEC. 6-10

The Average White Band gets people dancing with its funky style. Its tune “Pick Up the Pieces,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974, keeps resurfacing in movie soundtracks, like “Ironman 2.”

6:30 and 9 p.m. Dec. 6-10 / Blue Note Hawaii / $29.75-$55 / bluenotehawaii.com or 777-4890

DEC. 10

Guitarist Jeff Peterson, whose diverse talents include jazz and classical as well as Hawaiian slack-key, performs his slack-key concerto “Malama Aina” with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. Peterson has won eight Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

4 p.m. / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $34-$92 / ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000

DEC. 12

The Shins made their mark on the indie-rock music map with a Best Alternative Album Grammy nomination for the 2007 album “Wincing the Night Away,” which hit No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200. They visit The Republik.

8 p.m. / The Republik / $37.50 / jointherepublik.com or 941-7469

DEC. 29

Russ brings his eclectic brand of rock, R&B and melodic hip-hop to Blaisdell Arena. New album “There’s Really a Wolf,” his first for a major label, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard R&B charts earlier this year and hit No. 7 on the Billboard Top 200.

8 p.m. / Blaisdell Arena / $39.50 / ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000

TICKER:

>> Ballet Hawaii presents its new “Nutcracker” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15-16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16-17. $39-$120. Blaisdell Concert Hall. ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000

>> Satirist Bill Maher returns for New Year’s Eve, with Bob Sagett and Reggie Brown. 7:30 p.m., Blaisdell Concert Hall, $45-$95.50. ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000