President’s Letter
Folknotes 4/22/26
Hello Everyone,
As usual, we have three great musical acts lined up to perform for us at Leo Coffeehouse this Sunday. If you can, join us. You’ll be happy you did.
Here's what's going on:
Pre-Leo Coffeehouse Jam, 11:00 AM, Sunday, April 26, 2026
Leo Coffeehouse, 5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, April 26, 2026
Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse, 3:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, May 3, 2026
Reference Information/QCB Membership (Below my sign off)
Pre-Leo Coffeehouse Jam
11:00 AM, Sunday, April 26, 2026
Mike Boerschig shared this at Leo last Sunday and on our QCB Members Facebook Page a week ago:
Charlie Mosbrook is coming to town to play at Leo’s on 4/26. He's staying with me and I would like to invite anyone who can make it to a jam and chili lunch at my house (1638A Twelve Mile Rd., New Richmond, Ohio) on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 11:00 AM. Everyone is welcome to stay here until we leave for Leo’s if you'd like. We can make some pizzas or something before we go.
Leo Coffeehouse, 5:00-9:00 PM
Sunday, April 26, 2026
5:00 PM: Song Circle/Jam-Downstairs
Anyone can bring songs to lead while others provide backup and harmony.
5:00 PM: Americana & Roots Workshop led by Charlie Mosbrook
Songs written before the folk revival. (That’s all I’ve got. Come and see for yourself. Charlie has a wealth of folk music knowledge. I’d be there if I could.)
1st Set: Seldom The Same
STS is a group of retirees who share Americana music. Dean Vamvas is the lead vocalist and plays guitar. Tom McDonald is our primary harmonica and mountain dulcimer player. Dave Martin supplies keyboard, fiddle and Dobro and sings. Dave Sanders plays cello, acoustic guitar, banjo and sings both lead and harmony. Karen Schrock plays guitar and provides both lead and harmony vocals. John Gardik plays standup bass.
2nd Set: Charlie Mosbrook
Few people have been as central to Cleveland’s music as Charlie Mosbrook. His turf is acoustic singer/songwriter/folk music. He has performed over 30 years, releasing albums, collaborating with and encouraging other artists, and hosting open mic nights. He’s an artist teacher with Roots of American Music and president of FARM and Folknet. Through countless charities and events that advocate for human rights and environmental action, Charlie uses his music as a vehicle for a better world. Visit Charlie’s website.
3rd Set: Serenity Fisher & Michael G. Ronstadt with the Cardboard Hearts
They blend playful pop-rock with Tim Burton-esque quirkiness. Powerhouse singer/songwriter/pianist Serenity Fisher’s vocals vary from bluesy belt to sultry whisper. Incredible CCM cellist Michael Ronstadt brings a rich musical heritage and absolute knack for improvisation. CCM violinist Rose Reidmiller Gowda also has a distinct flair for creative improvisation. World-renowned guitar virtuoso Bobby Fisher and his band sold out Bogart’s way back when. More recently, he’s played Carnegie Hall! Rounding out the sound with percussion is ethnomusicologist Matt Halvorson with his eclectic variety of instruments from all over the world. Visit their website.
Looking Ahead:
Leo Coffeehouse, 3:00-9:00 PM
Sunday, May 3, 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. The incredible Al Wauligman will lead us on the piano.
4:15 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 meet in the “Green Room” (conference room) on the first floor. This is gonna be fun y’all!
5:00 PM: Singing Workshop
Ten ideas to help you sing better fast, led by Kelli Domke.
5:00 PM: Song Circle/Jam-Downstairs
Anyone can bring songs to lead while others provide backup and harmony.
6:40-9:00 PM: Performances:
1st Set: Riegler Soundways
Ed and Sharon Riegler invite you to enjoy Ed’s original songs, some of which have been written since his second album “Good To Be Here”. Sharon was involved with editing, and helping with vocals, melodica and bass. They will also perform some familiar covers from a multi-decade palette of standards. Ed and Sharon will appreciate your listening support.
2nd Set: Lenny Hall
A long-time QCB member who has been playing for over 35 years now. Influences are Doc Watson, Norman Blake, and other flatpickers. He enjoys playing fiddle tunes, but will always work on favorite fingerstyle songs.
3rd Set: Dave Hawkins
“Dave is a rare find in this world of hyped, derivative and bottom line-driven music…he has broadened his work to include many influences from the best of rich musical forms usually found elsewhere in the world.”—Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) Dave will be joined by half of THE PERFECT MEN, Michael Ronstadt and Bobby Fisher.
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.