The legendary reggae band the Wailers play Amos' Southend Nov. 29.

With Thanksgiving officially over (and all of your out-of-town guests back at home), the march toward 2012 has officially started. But don't fret — there’s more to look forward to in the final weeks of the year than just Christmas ... especially for fans of live music.

Believe it or not, several concerts by locally and nationally known musicians are slated to pop off around Charlotte in next month or so. And to help you navigate your way through this gaggle of events, we’ve compiled a list of the top six remaining live shows of 2011; think of it as your last chance to hear some great sounds before you toast the New Year. Now, this isn't a comprehensive list — it's merely our picks for can't-miss entertainment. For even more events, check out the Qcitymetro event page.

1, 2 and 3. The first three shows on our list have actually been reported on here at Qcitymetro.com, but they’re more than worthy of a second mention. And they’re all happening this week. Tuesday, Nov. 29, the legendary reggae band the Wailers injects a rare Caribbean vibe into the Queen City, taking the stage at Amos’ Southend. Then, on Wednesday, Nov. 30, retro-modern soul vocalist Anthony Hamilton brings his Woo Tour to The Fillmore over at the NC Music Factory. And the month of December starts off in grand fashion this Saturday (Dec. 3) at the Neighborhood Theater with a few hours of black string music courtesy of the award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops trio.

4. On Dec. 7, treat yourself to a multifaceted night of music, poetry and comedy — at the aptly named event Cometry. Presented by the folks over at Touch One Productions, Cometry features poetry from Charlotte-based spoken-word artists Black Swan, Ed Maybre and Bluz; comedy by Kenny Mac; and music by the VKC band, alongside DJ Japeto. Tickets are $10-$15, and the show (which starts at 7:30 p.m.) goes down at the Neighborhood Theater. For more information, visit www.neighborhoodtheatre.com.

5. Another interdisciplinary event takes the stage on Dec. 10 when the sounds of African drums combine with dance for Distant Relatives: An African Ballet at the McGlohon Theater. The production stars dancer Oneaka Mack, the Yelemani Massa Dancers of the Oneaka Dance Company (ODC), Moviementos De Samba and more — fueled by an “explosive West African drum line.” Doors open at 6 p.m and tickets cost $17-$20. For more information, visit the ODC online.

6. Lastly (but definitely not least), everyone loves the famed soundtrack of the classic animated cartoon A Charlie Brown Christmas … right? Well, if you count yourself among that group of devotees, you definitely don’t want to miss A Charlie Brown Christmas with pianist David Benoit on Dec. 17. This unique show gives you the chance to hear the beloved tunes from that famous TV special — originally composed by Vince Guaraldi — played live at Central Piedmont Community College’s Halton Theater. The show starts at 8 p.m. and remaining tickets range from $35-$46. For more information and to purchase tickets, tix.cpcc.edu.

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