Folknotes 9/24/26

Hello Everyone,

It’s hard to believe that we are into Fall already, but the cool weather certainly makes it feel like Fall. There’s no better place to spend a cool Sunday night than at Leo Coffeehouse. Join us if you can.  

Every Sunday at Leo is filled with surprises and great music.

Here’s the QCB news this week.

Leo Coffeehouse, 5:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, September 27, 2026
• Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse, 3:00-9:00 PM, Sunday, October 4, 2026
• Upcoming Area Concerts
• Reference Information/QCB Membership (Below my sign off)

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

Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse
3:00-9:00 PM
Sunday October 4, 2026

3:00 PM: 1st Sunday Rise Up Singing
Tell 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.

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 will meet in the “Green Room” (conference room) on the first floor. This is gonna be fun y’all!

5:00 PM:  Cajun Music Workshop Led By Steve And Donna Bing
Cajun music is a traditional genre of music from Louisiana. An emblematic music of Louisiana played by the Cajuns, it is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Although they are two separate genres, Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based zydeco music. Both are from southwest Louisiana and share French and African origins. (Wikipedia)

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: Riley School Adult Ensemble
The Adult Ensemble, composed of students, as well as some faculty members, represents a core group that has been together since our days at Columbia Baptist, well before COVID turned the world upside down. We bend some of the Irish traditions with some arrangements and accompanied singing. We hope that you will join us on some of those songs.

2nd Set: All Those Who Wander Trio
They weave influences from their backgrounds in American, Celtic, Irish, and Cornish folk music into every performance. Out of Dayton, the band's transatlantic sound connects the American Midwest with Ireland, Scotland, and Cornwall, a Celtic community in southwest Britain. Heartfelt tradition, fresh originals, and energetic re-inventions are all part of the sounds and the stories. Singer, guitarist, and penny whistle player Dr. Nick Booker leads the group with Linda McDonald on flute and Ali Taliani on concertina.They invite you to clap, sing along, dance, and participate in any way you can! More info here.

3rd Set: Laughin’ Lizards
Steve and Donna Bing are based out of Houston Texas with a second home in Cincinnati. Steve plays fiddle, Cajun accordion, banjo, and is an old time square dance caller while Donna plays guitar and fiddle. Their son Scott plays drums, and Steve Stoneback plays lead guitar. With rich vocal harmonies they present real foot stomping music including Appalachian old time, Louisiana Cajun, and Texas Swing music. 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 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