Folknotes 9/17/26

Hello Everyone,

Last Sunday, our 2026/27 Leo Coffeehouse Season began with a bang, and a full house. This Sunday we have our regular song circle, the Guitar Roundtable Workshop, and our always popular open mic. Come join us to sign up for a two song set, or to enjoy the music as an audience member.

Here’s the QCB news this week.

• Leo Coffeehouse, 5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, September 20, 2026

• Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse, 5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, September 27, 2026

• Upcoming Area Concerts

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

Leo Coffeehouse 5:00-9:00 PM
Sunday, September 20, 2026

5:00 PM: Song Circle downstairs
Anyone can bring well known, jam-friendly songs to lead while others provide backup and harmony.

5:15 PM: Guitar Roundtable Workshop led by Mike Helm
This forum is 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 Open Mic
Priority is 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 an opportunity for performers of all levels to perform in front of an audience. Usually, there is a full sound system. We typically have 15 slots of 8 minutes each (two songs maximum). Acts are typically one to three performers with vocals and instruments.

Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse
5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday
September 27, 2026

5:00 PM: Music of the ’60s Song Circle led by John Mann
Lots of different musical styles to choose from–folk, pop, folk rock, protest, rock.

5:00 PM: 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: Dwight Smith
Dwight started writing songs during his college days a few years (decades) ago, and learned three chords on a borrowed guitar. He is still working on learning the "truth", as Harlan Howard discussed. His songs may be introspective, and/or outrospective, observations on whatever he happens to think about. "I sing my own stuff, cover some golden oldies I think are great songs, and try not to take myself too seriously.”

2nd Set: Sarah Dupee
Sarah plays guitar and writes songs based on various places, travels, pilgrimages, and wildernesses. Many songs are inspired by time spent in Ohio, France, and Louisiana. She is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Instagram: atraversingsarah  other media: sarahdupeemusic               

3rd Set: Jeff Miller
A gifted Nashville-based songwriter/musician, a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, a husband and father. His live-looping technique has become ubiquitous for new guitarists and his skills as a teacher and mentor are much in demand. National television has featured his music on CBS Sports, Napster, America’s Got Talent and the hit show Nashville. He’s received airplay on over 175 stations in the US and abroad. jeffmilleronline.com

Upcoming Area Concerts

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

Here are a few that have been shared recently:
Jamboree & Brews, Friday, September 18 | 6:30-9 pm | Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum. More info here.

Share The Journey 2026, A Concert for Compassion, September 19th · 3pm – 6pm, The House of Joy – 3220 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45225. 
More info here.

Jake Speed & The Freddies 25th Anniversay 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.

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

Neil Harrell
President, Queen City Balladeers/Leo Coffeehouse

President’s Letter