President’s Letter
Folknotes 3/4/26
Hello Everyone,
Last Sunday was a fantastic night at Leo Coffeehouse. But here’s the thing, there’s always something new and exciting happening at Leo Coffeehouse. So don’t miss the fun. If you can, join us this Sunday. You’ll be happy you did.
Leo Coffeehouse, 5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, March 8, 2026
Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse, 5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, March 15, 2026
Reference Information/QCB Membership (Below my sign off)
Leo Coffeehouse 5:00-9:00 PM
Sunday, March 8, 2026
5:00 PM Song Circle/Jam
Anyone can bring songs to lead while others provide backup and harmony.
5:00 PM Songwriters Collaborative
Come and share your songs with other songwriters for encouragement and friendly critiques.
6:40 - 9:00 PM: Performances
1st Set: New Fogies
The New Fogies love sharing favorite timeless tunes in a show that blends genres and styles, with a variety of strings and other instruments and with everyone singing. The group includes founder Nina Wagner, Jim Elliott, J Scarr, Easy Tom Eby and Al Wauligman.
2nd Set: Chuck Keller
He joined QCB in the 70s when the Leo was in the old YMCA on Calhoun. In addition to booking acts, he held various offices and helped organize the Eden Park concerts. He has played solo and in bands exploring folk, rock, and jazz. Two of his bands were nominated for the old Cammy Awards. He once opened for Bob Hope and for Poco! Chuck is a retired high school English teacher who now writes for publications and gigs around the area. He continues to write songs and is half of The Chalk Brothers.
3rd Set: Buskin Blue
Featuring Greg Short on guitar and vocals, and Greg Robinson on bass and sax. Making her debut on vocals is Liv Tempe. Folk with a blues flavor.
Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse
5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, March 15, 2026
5:00 PM: Song Circle/Jam-Downstairs
Anyone can bring songs to lead while others provide backup and harmony.
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.
6:00 PM:Sign Up For All Evening Open Mic
Priority given in order to those who are new to performing at a Leo open mic, followed by those who have not performed at our previous two open mics, followed by anyone else who wishes to play, subject to availability of slots.
6:30 PM:All Evening Open Mic
Open mic evenings offer opportunities for both experienced performers and those new to playing in front of an audience. Usually, there is a full sound system. We typically have 15 slots of 8 minutes each (generally two songs). Acts are typically one to three performers with vocals and instruments. Due to limited space we do not usually see more than four people on stage..
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.
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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.