The Queen City Balladeers is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the traditions of roots music and folk performance alive and well in Cincinnati.
Just what is “roots” music? Basically, roots music is music that comes from “folks,” ordinary people who create music to express the emotions and experiences that emerge from everyday living.
Back in the 1960′s, at the height of the folk music revival, much of the music of the day consisted of a mixture of protest songs and traditional ballads from previous centuries. Today, the genre includes not only “old time” traditional songs, but also new acoustic songs, blues, Celtic, bluegrass, country, Americana, and even music performed by pop artists like James Taylor, Shawn Colvin and John Prine. It also includes some areas of world music such as klezmer, for example.
Our primary event is the Leo Coffeehouse, held almost every Sunday night from September through May at the Zion United Church of Christ at the intersection of Mound and Montgomery in in Norwood. Door open about 5 p.m. for set-up; there is a song circle/jam that starts about 5:30 and runs until 6:45; performances run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For information the Sunday evening performers, check the Leo Schedule.
The Balladeers also sponsor and assist with other local music events, such as Edensong (each Friday in July), the Appalachian Festival and many other festivals and concerts in the Tri-State area.
The Queen City Balladeers comprises people from all backgrounds and age groups. Many Balladeers are also part or full-time musicians, writers, instrument makers and sound technicians as well as avid fans of roots music.
