Schedule of Events

SEPTEMBER 20, 2026

6:00 PM SIGN UP FOR 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 (two songs maximum). Acts are typically one to three performers with vocals and instruments.

BEFORE THE LEO

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.

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

SEPTEMBER 27, 2026

Performances:  6:40 - 9:00 PM

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."  

SARAH DUPEE atraversingsarah, sarahdupeemusic

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.

JEFF MILLER                                                                          jeffmilleronline.com

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 hit show Nashville. He’s received airplay on over 175 stations in the US and abroad.

BEFORE THE LEO

5:00 PM  Music of the 60’s Song Circle led by John Mann

Several musical styles to choose from: folk, pop, folk rock, protest, rock.

5:00 PM  Song Circle downstairs

Anyone can bring well known, jam-friendly songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.

OCTOBER 4, 2026

PERFORMANCES  6:40 - 9:00 PM

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 songs.

ALL THOSE WHO WANDER TRIO                               allthosewhowandermusic.com

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!

LAUGHIN’ LIZARDS                                                            laughinglizardsband.com

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.   

BEFORE THE LEO

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. 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 on training wheels. Learn how to lead a song and play breaks. Basic information is centered on beginner friendly chord shapes and learning how to “read hands”. Newcomers, or anyone who wants to refine technique (and maybe give advice) are welcome by Alana Johnson and Bob Schrock.

5:00 PM  CAJUN MUSIC Workshop led by STEVE AND DONNA BING

5:00 PM  Song Circle downstairs

Anyone can bring well known, jam-friendly songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.

OCTOBER 11, 2026

PERFORMANCES  6:40 - 9:00 PM

KAITLIN MORRISON

An off and on Leo regular, she enjoys the Guitar Roundtable. Her beautiful, soft voice will light up the room!

BREANNE STONE                                                                          breannestone.com

A Nebraska-based (LGBTQ) touring singer-songwriter blending soulful folk and Americana with an ethereal edge who has performed at regional festivals including Flatwater Music Festival, Lovegrass, and Tumbleweed Festival, and has spent time touring throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas as part of the High Plains Public Radio Ambassador Tours, bringing music to listening rooms and rural communities.

LIZ BOWATER                                                               Facebook: @Lizbowatermusic

After a’hiatus from public performing, singer/songwriter Liz Bowater returns to the Leo. A Chicago native, Bowater moved to Cinci 20 years ago and spent her first few years here playing as part of the collaborative Blue Jordan Records. Once dubbed “brave new folk,” her songs are earnest, self-reflective, centering on love, loss, faith, and hope. Tony Moore will join her on bass, and Matt Frazer with percussion. 

BEFORE THE LEO

5:00 PM  SONGWRITERS COLLABORATIVE led by BREANNE STONE

Come and share your songs with other songwriters for encouragement and friendly critiques.

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

OCTOBER 18, 2026

6:00 PMSIGN UP FOR OPEN MIC

Priority given first 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 PMALL EVENING OPEN MIC

Open mics offer opportunities for experienced performers and those new to playing in front of an audience. Usually, there is a full sound system. Typically there are 15 slots of 8 minutes each (two songs maximum). Acts are typically one to three performers with vocals and instruments.

BEFORE THE LEO

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.

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

OCTOBER 25, 2026

PERFORMANCES  6:40 - 9:00 PM

JEN HOWARD                                                           http://www.jenhowardlive.com

An American singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, born in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Although coming from a blue-collar, religious and home schooled upbringing, Jen's music is a mix of Folk, Roots, Reggae and Sophisti-Pop. Her music's central themes include; human nature, love, courageous motivation and intentional compassion for ourselves and others. In 2024, she released "Still", the follow up to her 2019 debut EP "Motion". Jen Howard has performed in 42 states and 6 countries!

MICHAEL JOHNATHON                                 michaeljohnathon.com

A log cabin dwelling folksinger who created and hosts the international live audience broadcast of the WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour in partnership with KY Tourism and Martin Guitars, heard on over 500 radio stations, KET and PBS TV nationwide, the RFD Network coast to coast and American Forces Radio in 177 nations and every military base in the world. He organized the collection of over 5,000 instruments that were gifted to victims of tornadoes, floods and storms. He also produces the new syndicated series called WoodSongs Kids with his daughter Makayla. Michael is recipient of the prestigious Milner Award, the highest award given to any artist in the Commonwealth by Governor Beshear, He has recorded 24 albums, published 6 books and wrote the movie script for the Caney Creek motion picture.

BEFORE THE LEO

5:00 PM Americana/Roots Song Circle led by Dennis Allen

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