Navigating our "origin stories" while finding those along this path who compliment the journey is a creative endeavor in and of itself. Trusting the process of musical production and the "business" of music is eloquently shared by Thea Aksland and Nelson Capote.

Thea Aksland is a DYNAMIC young artist who has found that compliment in Nelson Capote. Capote is a prolific multi-instrumental musician, producer, innovator and visionary.

Thea is a talented vocalist, songwriter, pianist, producer and teacher. Emerging in 2020 with her debut Love Line to her latest release eleMENTAL (co-produced by Capote), she is exploding with authentic emotional energy. As a certified music educator, Thea encourages her young students and inspires them to push beyond the fear- amalgamating emotion and memory into music. Thea is truly innovative, her genre evoking a much needed authenticity, making you lean in and TRULY feel.

Nelson reminds us to surrender in the creative journey. Nelson has worked with artists such as Grace Gardener, providing much of the instrumentation for both of her acclaimed EP's Peach and Recovery Mile and easily explores a wide range of instruments from horns to strings and so much more.

Nelson's tenure in production and recording is obvious when you listen to his music. His "style" is fueled by infusing creative experimentation and attention to detail. The destination of musical presence can only be experienced by listening to these very prolific artists.

https://www.instagram.com/theaakslandmusic/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/nelsonncapote/?hl=en

KELLEY GIROD A native of Louisiana, Girod has lived in NYC since 2005 where she completed her Masters in playwriting at Columbia University. Since graduating she has established herself in NYC as a playwright and producer. Girod is currently Director of New Work at the world famous Apollo theater. In addition Kelley continues to serve as Executive Director of OBIE award winning The Fire This Time Festival, a platform for early career Black playwrights, which she founded in 2009. Girod is also an award-winning playwright whose work has been developed/presented at Atlantic Theater Company, Sheen Center for Thought and Culture, Stanford’s TAPS Program, The Fire This Time Festival, Harlem 9, Primary Stages, Sundance, Planet Connections Theater Festival, Parity Productions, The Apollo and more. In 2023, she was named the recipient of New York Innovative Theater’s prestigious Ellen Steward Award. She was also a 2020 nominee of the prestigious Paul Robeson Award. In addition, Girod is Editor of The Fire This Time Festival’s first anthology of plays published with Bloomsbury UK/Methuen Drama titled “25 Plays from The Fire This Time Festival, A Decade of Recognition, Resistance, Rebirth and Black Theater.”

ANDREW BLOCK (Director) An award-winning NYC-based director, proud native of New Orleans, and frequent collaborator with fellow Louisiana-grown artist, playwright Kelley Nicole Girod (Body of Water, This Stretch of Montpelier). He is the recipient of the Ovation and L.A.Drama Critics Circle awards for Best Director & Production for the world premiere of John Pollono’s Small Engine Repair. Sselected credits include: Adam Szymkowicz’ Clown Bar 2 (SparkPlug Productions) Mark Jason Williams’ Straight Faced Lies and The Other Day (Theatre at 14th St Y); John Pollonos's Lost and Found (FringeNYC Encore, Lucille Lortel Theatre); Sondheim's Company (Gallery Players); David Caudle’s Downward Facing Debbie (World premiere, Project Y); Why Bother? (Best Director, Planet Connections Festivity); Adam Rapp’s Bingo With the Indians (GLAAD award nomination for Outstanding Theatre); Illuminati (Best Director, Network OAF); Bedroom Farce (FAPC); Reach (Ivy Theatre); Avenue Q (Manhattan College); Inherit the Wind (Manhattan College); Rumors (AADA); The Shape of Things (Adelphi University); Recovery (FringeNYC); Andrew also serves as TDF's liaison and representative to NYC's vibrant Off and Off-Off Broadway community.

SCOTT FETTERMAN is a multimedia designer, video producer, technician, and performer; he currently holds the position of Lead Audiovisual Technician at BAM Fisher in Brooklyn, NY and is a proud member of IATSE Local 4. A product of NYC’s downtown experimental scene, Scott cut his teeth working with Temporary Distortion from 2011-2017 in several capacities; most notably as Video Designer, Assistant Installation Designer, and Musician for the 6-hour-long installation-based performance My Voice Has An Echo In It, which toured within the US and France. Other key collaborations include Oscar-nominated filmmaker Josh Fox (The Truth Has Changed, Staying Home, and The Edge of Nature), One Year Lease Theater Company (Pool No Water and Skin Tight), and director Andrew Block (too many to list)

"It all begins at home"
Wise words from the man, musician, and mentor in our community.
Also known as "Sir Devon Nooner" from The Molly Ringwalds, Jeff Lane sits with us to share his origin story-where it all began. His genuine reflection of the power of music in shaping who and how we love, the peace we all hope for, and of course, his journey into rock 'n' roll will touch your heart!
His stage presence is apparent even in studio as he shares the newest release "Because It's Christmas Time" by The Molly Ringwalds.
As the lyrics go "singing songs of hope beneath the sun", this promises to be a new favorite holiday track!
Lending his talent to the new local reality series, "Drive-by Karaoke, New Orleans", Jeff and his co-hosts will be judging local and dynamic talent here in and around the Greater New Orleans area! Singers and dancers compete at various iconic locations as viewers watch weekly to see who will come out on top!
Now streaming on social media and YouTube, it is a MUST SEE.
As always, thank you Jeff for reminding us, at CHRISTMAS TIME how important the MUSIC is and how special HOME is!




https://www.drivebyekaraoke.com
https://www.themollyringwalds.com/the-band