A VERY Happy Christmas to everyone connected with the local live entertainment scene and, of course, to all Lowe Down readers as well.

Likewise, every good wish from yours truly to one and all for a peaceful and prosperous 2010.

Showbusiness being what it is, there'll be very little respite over the next week or so for many of those of us involved in the entertainment field.

And to prove the point, I thought I'd give you the Lowe Down today on some of the live performances happening in South Devon over the festive season.

For starters, singer-songwriter Colin Reece makes his regular weekly solo appearance at the Hole in the Wall in Torquay tonight.

In contrast, next Thursday (New Year's Eve) Colin will be joined at the Hole in the Wall by fellow singer and songwriter Drew Millin, plus multi-instrumentalist Smudger for an end of year party, under their collective name of Cahoots.

Torquay-based Shadows and rock 'n' roll tribute act Jon Malcolm has an extra busy Christmas and New Year schedule ahead of him.

In fact Jon is booked every night between now and January 1, but some of the engagements concerned are private functions.

However, the up-coming Jon Malcolm gigs which will be open to the public are tonight at the Cavendish Hotel in Torquay, plus the Palace Hotel in Paignton on December 27; the Grosvenor Hotel, Torquay (December 28) and a return trip to the Cavendish Hotel on January 1.

Popular local outfit Duke Johnson and the Scorchers are in action at the Spinning Wheel in Paignton tonight, while at the same time Livin' in a Valvestate take centre stage at The Dolphin in St Marychurch.

On Boxing Day afternoon from 4pm the John Bull in Chatto Road, Torquay, is to be the setting for John Webber's Leftovers, and on New Year's Eve John Webber returns again to host an end of year party night.

James Lee and Smudger are in action at Torquay Rugby Club from 3pm to 6pm on Boxing Day.

Then Scott McGowan's Main Street descends on the Cider Press in Torquay for a three-hour gig at the venue between 6pm and 9pm on Sunday evening.

On the jazz front, John Shillito and his Select Four play the Clifford Arms in Fore Street, Shaldon, from 1pm on Sunday afternoon.

Then, on Sunday evening Gentle Jazz entertain at the Corbyn Head Hotel in Torquay.

In contrast, Tuesday at the Crown and Sceptre in St Marychurch is to be the setting for an evening of jazz in the company of Ron Milford, Jeremy Huggett, Steve Dow, Colin Fulcher and Brian Clarke.

There are also jazz-related developments at Albert's on Belgrave Road in Torquay.

The venue's proprietors are thinking of staging a regular Jazz Jam and open mic night in the New Year.

Any local jazz musicians and vocalists who would like to be involved in the project are invited to call Chris Jackson on 01803 329004.

While on the subject of Albert's, the venue's Christmas Season programme features a party night tonight with DJ Shaun Aldridge, plus Karaoke with Chris Jackson on Boxing Night. And on New Year's Eve, Chris Jackson hosts an end of year Party Night.

As for the local rock 'n' roll scene, the popular roadshows Blue Jean Bop and Dave's '55 Jive feature in a special end of year double header at the Newton Abbot Rock 'n' Roll Jive Club on Monday night.

As always, the venue is Forde Hall in Newton Abbot and admission is £3 for NAJC members and £4 for non-members.

Another regular South Devon rock 'n' roll event worth a mention here is this Sunday evening's gig by the Two Allicats at Boots and Laces in Torquay.

As always, the DJ duo will be hosting the weekly RnR rendzvous and admission is free.

In fact the Two Allicats will also be making a special guest appearance at NAJC on January 4.