Jenni Moore by Jenni Moore Well folks, the year 2025 is almost over. I’m looking ahead to the holidays, ringing in the New Year 2026, and this week I’m highlighting three live events I’d love to cozy up with this winter, from Kalani Pe’a’s Hawaiian Christmas show at the Reser, at least one promising NYE show to put on the radar, and a stacked lineup of alternative indie soul at Swan Dive in early January.  ADDED TO THE QUEUE:  Some upcoming music buzz to add to your radar. New Years Eve: Dreckig, Blossom, Reyna Tropical (DJ Set), DJ Espinal Letal  This show is organized by David “Papi” Fimbres (of local bands Orquestra Pacífico Tropical, Boink, Friskies, et al.), who will headline as part of his duo Dreckig with his wife Shana "Azúcar" Lindbeck, who make a trippy, groovy blend of Latin dance music informed by cumbia, electronic, and krautrock-infused music with lyrics sung in Spanish, German, and English. Notably, this huge New Year’s Eve bash will also see a live performance from Portland-based neo-soul RB mainstay Blossom, so you know the integrity of the evening's positive vibes are in good hands. Blossom reigns not just as a locked in local musician, but also as a well-rounded community member and leader in Portland’s arts and music scenes. Let’s hope we hear early Blossom highlights like breezy single “So Cool,” her ’90s boom-bap-driven RB-pop single “Loves Coming,” or her infectious reggae track “Black Magic Woman.” The night includes two unmissable DJ sets from the cumbia-minded DJ Espina Letal, and Reyna Tropical, AKA guitarist and vocalist Fabi Reyna’s band that she co-founded with Afro-diasporic DJ Nectali "Sumohair" Díaz, who passed away unexpectedly in 2022. Performing as a soloist the last couple years, Reyna Tropical continues to be known for its distinct mezcla of organic and electronic sounds with tropical rhythms—all driven by the motto of “Queer Love Afro-Mexico." (Showdown Saloon, Wed Dec 31, 9 pm, more info here, 21+) Keeks, Cosmos Dark, YAWA Headlined by Keeks—the rapper, singer, and dancer formerly known as Maarquii—this triple whammy of a lineup is just too good to miss. Keeks has been performing under her new moniker since 2024, dropping fierce standalone singles like experimental industrial dance track “Make You Sick,” and the galvanizing Trans-femme empowerment anthem “MOVE,” and her super solid debut EP Gwendolyn. As if Keeks’ stunning, versatile live act wasn’t reason enough, this is also a chance to catch Cosmos Dark, the solo project by Vaughn Kimmons (Brown Calculus, WRK!, Be Present Art Group) live. Opening is DIY soul artist YAWA, also known as Amenta Abioto, who makes magical, improv-rooted soundscapes influenced by the African diaspora (“Wade”) and the natural world ("Plant It"). (Swan Dive, Fri Jan 9, 8 pm, more info here, 21+) ...read more read less