President’s Letter
Folknotes 2/6/26
Hello Everyone,
Hmm, I know there's something going on this Sunday. Oh yeah, Leo Coffeehouse. If you prefer live music to that other thing (our national distraction-pro football), come join us, share some songs, or listen to the talented performers who always show up for our open mics.
There’s always something new and exciting happening at Leo Coffeehouse.
Leo Coffeehouse, 5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, February 8, 2026
Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse, 5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, February 15, 2026
Zion Food Pantry
Reference Information/QCB Membership (Below my sign off)
Leo Coffeehouse
5:00-9:00 PM
Sunday, February 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
Anyone can bring songs to lead while others provide backup and harmony.
6:30 PM: Superbowl All Evening Open Mic
Sign up at 5:30 PM to perform 1 -2 songs. 8 minute limit.
Sound system will be set up.
Looking Ahead:
Leo Coffeehouse 5:00-9:00 PM
Sunday, February 15, 2026
5:00 PM: Song Circle/Jam
Anyone can bring songs to lead while others provide backup and harmony.
5:00 PM: Ballads-Singing as Storytelling Workshop
Led by April Combs Mann, we will explore the ancient and living tradition of narrative song. This workshop centers singing as creative expression rather than winning “The Voice”. We will explore how melody supports story, repetition builds communal memory, and tone and articulation create meaning. You don’t need to read music or consider yourself a “good singer.” If you have a voice you can tell a story.
5:15 PM: Guitar Roundtable Workshop
Mike Helm leads this forum for players of any skill level to exchange ideas so we can all make better music together. Bring a question, share a tip. Learn a new lick or chord. Gain a new perspective, share your own with us. Enrich your guitar experience.
6:40 - 9:00 PM: Performances
1st Set: Jeff Gushin & Scott Nutter
Jeff is an old-time fiddler and mandolinist whose interests range from blues, ragtime, and jug band music. He also performs with the Laurelview Ramblers. Scott returned to the guitar, the passion of his youth, about 16 years ago when he joined the Leo. He loves to explore a wide variety of musical styles. Expect a few rags, blues, stomps, etc. on fiddle and mandolin and guitar.
2nd Set: April Combs Mann
April Mann performs her original and traditional songs under the name Goldenthread. She has toured extensively across the US and Europe, played Lollapalooza, and done a Peel Session on BBC Radio One. Her original songs have been featured in hit television shows. She has shared stages with Carrie Newcomer, Marianne Faithfull, Shawn Colvin, and many others. April sings with Cincinnati Irish traditional favorite, Dark Moll; writes and narrates her fairytale podcast, April Eight Songs & Stories; and has listeners in over 70 countries across the globe. April is the Songleader of the Riverside Choir.
3rd Set: Ellie Fabe
A Cincinnati singer/songwriter whose songs create an intimate portrait of longing and love; an interpreter of memory and nostalgia, she has a sound all her own. She’s performed in New York’s The Bitter End and Chicago’s The Elbo Room and her release, Devil May Care is the 2015 Ohio Music Awards Winner for Best Singer/Songwriter. She was also nominated for the 2017 Just Plain Folks Music Awards: Best Americana Song from album: Devil May Care for: “How Does It Feel?”and Best New Folk Album: Be A Girl Again. This is alternative folk—expressive, authentic.
Zion Food Pantry
We had a great response last week by QCB members. Thanks to all who donated. I’m going to leave this up, since there’s always a need.
The food pantry at Zion United Church of Christ could use our support. If you are able, please bring in a non-perishable food item to help those in need. Clients especially like proteins like canned chicken or tuna, beans, or Chef Boyardee, Amy's Kitchen, etc "meals in a can". You can place them in the yellow bin near the welcome table as you enter. Thank you for your generosity.
That’s all for this Folknotes, I hope to see you soon.
Neil Harrell
President, Queen City Balladeers/Leo Coffeehouse
QCB/Leo Coffeehouse Membership
It’s that time of year again. The start of a new Leo season. Annual QCB membership dues continue to be $20.00 for a family, or for a single person plus a guest. Membership gets you into every Leo Coffeehouse performance for a year. Where else can you get that kind of musical entertainment and camaraderie for that amount of money?
It really helps us out if you pay through the QCB website.
The easiest way to pay your dues for the 2025/26 season is via PayPal right here.
If you prefer to pay by check, click on the link above and print the membership form. Then mail the form and your check to Treasurer: John Mann, 6514 Meis Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45224.
To donate more than the $20.00 standard dues, you can do so by check, or here on our website. When you get to the page with the box to relay instructions, just note that you are paying a larger amount for your dues.
For visitors who prefer not to become a member, a donation of $5.00 (cash) per person helps us pay the rent for our non-profit organization. Donations can be slipped in the box at the welcome table outside our performance room, Founders Hall. If you can’t afford that, pay what you can afford or nothing at all. We will welcome you to join us either way.
Reference Information/Links
Facebook:
QCB/Leo Coffeehouse Membership
We are keeping our standard annual QCB membership dues at $20.00 for a family, or for a single person plus a guest. Last year, knowing that the pandemic cut into our contingency funds, as we continued to pay overhead expenses with no income, some members donated larger amounts to QCB. We very much appreciate the support of all QCB members at all levels.
We are exploring setting up our website to allow the payment of different levels of dues support. For now, if you’d like to pay the standard dues, you can pay them online here or by a check at Leo. (We’ve discontinued our P.O. Box, I will have a mailing address in the next newsletter for those who wish to mail their membership dues.)
If you would like to donate more than the $20.00 standard dues, you can do so by check, or through our website. When you get to the page with the box to relay instructions, just note that you are paying a larger amount for your dues.
For visitors who prefer not to become a member, a donation of $5.00 (cash) per person helps us pay the rent for our non-profit organization. Donations can be slipped in the box at the welcome table outside our performance room, Founders Hall. If you can’t afford that, pay what you can afford or nothing at all. We will welcome you to join us either way.