Folknotes 10/29/26

Hello Everyone,

Here’s the QCB news this week.

• Leo Coffeehouse, Leo Coffeehouse, 3:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, November 1, 2026

• Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse, 5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, November 8, 2026

• Upcoming Area Concerts

• Reference Information/QCB Membership  (Below my sign off)

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Leo Coffeehouse
3:00-9:00 PM
Sunday, November 1, 2026

3:00 PM: 1st Sunday Rise Up Singing
Tell all your friends and bring the kids! Everyone picks songs from Rise Up Singing and Rise Again song books which are available to purchase or to use in the circle. Ray Rechenberg leads with the incredible Al Wauligman accompanying on the piano.

5:00 PM: Songwriting, Rhythm Workshop Led By Steve Bonafel

5:00 PM: Back To Basics Workshop
Not just for beginners, this is a song circle for learning and discussing one or two easy songs. Basic information is centered on beginner friendly chord shapes, strums and tempo, some ultra light music theory and a guitar hack or two. Newcomers and experienced players, or anyone who wants to refine technique (and maybe give advice) are welcome. Alana Johnson and Bob Schrock will be the moderators. We will meet upstairs at the far end of the hallway through the double doors. This is gonna be fun y’all!

5:00 PM: Song Circle/Jam Downstairs
Anyone can bring well known, jam-friendly songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.

Performances: 6:40-9:00 PM 

1st Set: Green Willow
The founding members of Green Willow met in the late 90s when they all worked serving the urban Appalachian population of Cincinnati. Their shared love of harmony ranged from gospel, bluegrass, and old-time tunes to psychedelic, 60s pop, and folk music. They played regularly at Urban Appalachian events as well as the Appalachian Festival at Old Coney Island. Now, Jim Holstum, Jennifer Brierly, Melissa English, and John Keenan play pretty much whatever they like, wherever they can, stressing the harmony that brought them together in the first place.

2nd Set: Steve Bonafel
He has been making music for two decades as a singer/songwriter of country, bluegrass and Americana, and as the band leader of One Iota. Bonafel has performed at The White House, The Pentagon and received a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry. He has recorded six albums, scoring “Bluegrass Song of the Year” in 2016. His “The Last Parade” hit #1 on the Radio Music DJs Hot Top 100 List in 2019. Bonafel has multiple selections for the International Bluegrass Music Association Songwriter Showcase.

3rd Set: Oxford Folk Jazz
Oxford Folk Jazz quintet performs an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, American standards and musical selections from around the world. Composed of Zach Davis, Jim Dynes, Frank Fitch, Fred Hautau and Lara Thurston, the band presents up tempo, rhythm centric arrangements that invigorate the spirit. Follow OFJ here.

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Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse
5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday
November 8, 2026

5:00 PM: Songwriters Collaborative
Come and share your songs with other songwriters for encouragement and friendly critiques.

5:00 PM: Song Circle/Jam Downstairs
Anyone can bring well known, jam-friendly songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.

Performances: 6:40-9:00 PM 

1st Set: Wayne Adkins
Wayne plays a variety of music and has been working with various musicians and songwriters in Cincinnati for over 40 years. He has been involved with several studio projects with various local bands including The 3rd Person Project, Durango Green and Stone Pyramid. His primary musical focus and love has been the initial creative burst of inspiration that occurs with the conception of a song but he still enjoys performing and sharing music.

2nd Set: Ellen Mershon
A writer of songs and teller of stories. A solo acoustic artist who plays an eclectic blend of standards, favorites and originals. A lover of music, art and the natural world around me. Striving to increase the peace through music and embracing beauty. More info here.

3rd Set: Rooster Blackspur
Based in Nashville, she is an award-winning singer-songwriter shaped by the Alaskan wilderness. Described as “equal parts Johnny Cash grit and outsider revival preacher”, her mix of story-telling, soul and sincerity set her apart. Her music blends folk-roots with soulful Americana. She’s shared the stage with Maria Muldaur, Indigo Girls, Tony Furtado, Ordinary Elephant, and others. More info here.

Upcoming Area Concerts

The best place to share information with QCB members about upcoming area concerts is on our QCB Members Group Facebook page.

Jake Speed & The Freddies 25th Anniversary Concert and Album Release to Benefit Cincinnati Public Radio, Sat, November 07, 2026, 8:00 PM, Memorial Hall OTR. More info here.

For more shared area events see the QCB Members Group page.

Ricky Nye & Memorial Hall present the Blues & Boogie Piano Summit 2026, Saturday, November 14, 2026, 8:00 PM, Memorial Hall OTR.
More info here.
And here on Facebook.

Giants Of Jazz At The Memo:
An Evening With National Guitars
Monday, November 23, 2026
7:00 PM, Memorial Hall OTR.

(I’m sharing this one because it’s going to be a very cool concert. Check out the very affordable Jazz At The Memo series of concerts.)

Experience a concert built around four vintage National resonator instruments that have been professionally restored to their original playing and sounding condition by their owner, Bill Hulsizer. 

Six celebrated Cincinnati guitarists take turns with a rhythm section throughout the night, rotating solos, duos and small combinations that let each instrument speak in a different setting.

Featuring Brandon Scott Coleman, Carlos Vargas-Ortiz, George Cunningham, Brian Lovely, Noah Wotherspoon, Matt Waters and Alex Poteet (guitar); with Justin Dawson (bass), Cole Baker (drums)

More info here.

That’s all for this Folknotes, I hope to see you soon.

Neil Harrell
President, Queen City Balladeers/Leo Coffeehouse

President’s Letter