Cape Town is heading towards the festive season and live shows are slowly making a return after a long break due to the coronavirus lockdown.
It has forced artists to be innovative and produce shows in unconventional spaces and venues that don't conform to the norm.
The likes of Robin Pieters and Craig Lucas doing live shows on the rooftop of the Radisson Blue is one such an innovation.
In the meantime, the Baxter theatre has opened its doors sooner than expected with Marc Lottering bringing his one-man show, Lottering on Lockdown, to the main theatre.
The Baxter is also producing author, Yusuf Daniels', Living Coloured, a stage adaptation of his bestselling book. It's directed by Loukmaan Adams and stars the likes of Fleur du Cap nominee Tashreeq de Villiers.
The show is running the entire festive season with only half the venue's capacity.
One show that is sure to be a hit is the musical pantomime taking place at the Roxy revue bar in GrandWest, called Cinderella to FrikkaDella.
It features nearly all the local stars from Nur Abrahams to Ramaine Barreiro-Lloyd and Maak my Famous winner, Cheswin Ruiters.
It is refreshing to see that audiences have booked for these shows and it brings a sense of hope to the local entertainment industry.
I think people are aware that coronavirus protocols will be in place and they are now used to wearing a mask and being sanitised wherever they go.
In my opinion, I would say that shows where there is also food available will sell better, so artists should look at producing shows in spaces where food is served and restaurant owners should look at partnering with artists because it's a win-win situation for both parties.
Another industry that is suffering is the movie houses and many employees are still out of work with the spaces still closed.
Most of the new movies have been pushed back to 2021/22 and people have turned to Netflix.
I saw Emo Adams and the Suidoosterfees opening themselves up to drive-in theatre, which I think is going to become very popular again once it filters into the local communities.
Jy sit in jou kar en kyk 'n show oppie big screen live innie drive-in.
It is always going to be difficult to get people to movies now, hence I am all for the movie houses opening their spaces up to local artists for live performances like in the old days at the Luxurama.
So when I was approached to bring a show to Ster-Kinekor Cinema in Promenade, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
My show Bokaand innie Bioscope will be playing at the Ster-Kinekor Promenade on 5 December at 8pm.
Tickets can be purchased online on the Ster-Kinekor website or on the number 083 880 4399 via Whatsapp.
With that said, I want to thank the audiences who have gone out to support the local arts.
You have all contributed to the sense of belief that the local arts community can survive the after-effects of the pandemic.
I encourage those who have not yet been out to go out there and purchase your tickets because there are, as in many other industries, a lot of jobs lost within the arts community and without your support, as always, the entertainment industry will struggle or not survive at all.
One positive thing that has come from this is the online streaming capability that all producers by now have a better understanding of, because it presents an opportunity to engage an even bigger audience on the live stream, even if the hall is not full.
Hope to see you all at all of these events as we celebrate the festive season on Level 1 lockdown.