Drumline Live Holiday Spectacular at The Smith Center

The rich tradition of choreographed marching bands at historically black colleges has made for thrilling off-field productions—see the 2002 movie Drumline, which has inspired traveling stage shows like this holiday celebration. Expect a musically and physically robust band, accompanying vocalists, and both traditional and modern Christmas favorites—including a positively epic “The Little Drummer Boy.” December 29, 2 & 7 p.m., $17-$69. –Mike Prevatt

Lil Wayne at Drai's

The seemingly random nature of this pairing isn’t without precedent. John Mayer appeared on an episode of Dave Chappelle’s Comedy Central series back in 2004, when Chappelle wanted to demonstrate the effect that rock guitar has on white people. (In brief: It’s intoxicating, destructive and occasionally NSFW. Sounds about right.) But these two talents aren’t pairing up again just so Chapelle can yell, “Play the fight riff, John!” and create an MGM Grand-sized moshpit. Rather, the point of “Controlled Danger”—named for a phrase the two use to describe a night on the town—is to allow Chappelle to punctuate his jokes with music, and for Mayer to jam against a different kind of improvisational talent.

Reportedly, you’ll get a set of Mayer’s music, a set of Chappelle’s comedy and a combined set of riffing from the two. I say “reportedly” because no YouTube evidence exists; once again, Chappelle is insisting on a no-cell-phones arena. (Your phone goes into a locked bag.) You’ll just have to believe that it actually happened. December 29, 8 p.m., $45-$270. –Geoff Carter

Kwanzaa—Ujamaa at West Las Vegas Arts Center

The fourth day of the weeklong holiday centers on the economic and cultural prosperity of the African-American and Pan-African communities, and features a marketplace and several performances. December 29, Noon-8:30 p.m., free. -Mike Prevatt

Dave Chappelle & John Mayer at MGM Grand Garden Arena

The seemingly random nature of this pairing isn’t without precedent. John Mayer appeared on an episode of Dave Chappelle’s Comedy Central series back in 2004, when Chappelle wanted to demonstrate the effect that rock guitar has on white people. (In brief: It’s intoxicating, destructive and occasionally NSFW. Sounds about right.) But these two talents aren’t pairing up again just so Chapelle can yell, “Play the fight riff, John!” and create an MGM Grand-sized moshpit. Rather, the point of “Controlled Danger”—named for a phrase the two use to describe a night on the town—is to allow Chappelle to punctuate his jokes with music, and for Mayer to jam against a different kind of improvisational talent.

Reportedly, you’ll get a set of Mayer’s music, a set of Chappelle’s comedy and a combined set of riffing from the two. I say “reportedly” because no YouTube evidence exists; once again, Chappelle is insisting on a no-cell-phones arena. (Your phone goes into a locked bag.) You’ll just have to believe that it actually happened. December 30, 8 p.m., $45-$270. –Geoff Carter

Las Vegas Stories: Virginia Hill, Queen of the Mob at Clark County Library

Virginia Hill was the Queen of Gangster Molls and the girlfriend to doomed Flamingo founder Bugsy Siegel. Learn her story as part of Mob Month. January 3, 7-8:30 p.m. free. -C. Moon Reed

Finesse Mitchell at Laugh Factory

Finesse Mitchell comes to play Vegas having done an appreciable amount of Everything Else. He’s been on Saturday Night Live (three seasons); he’s done scripted television (notably ABC’s The Middle) and performed stand-up for our armed forces (with Ron White). A gifted impressionist, Mitchell’s got more than enough finesse for the Strip. January 3-6, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m., $38-$55, Tropicana. –Geoff Carter

The English Beat at Brooklyn Bowl

Remember “Mirror in the Bathroom” and “Doors of Your Heart” from Grosse Pointe Blank, and “Save It for Later” from Hot Tub Time Machine? John Cusack must like the British ska/New Wave band—and you should, too. January 4, 7 p.m., $25-$30. –Mike Prevatt

Ice Vegas Invitational at T-Mobile Arena

VGK games are sold out and pricey, so how about trying Division I college hockey? Top 30 squads Western Michigan and Air Force battle with northeast schools UConn and St. Lawrence. January 5 & 6, 5 & 8:30 p.m., $20-$75. -Spencer Patterson