President’s Letter
Folknotes 04/18/25
Hello Everyone,
It’s Easter this Sunday. After a long day of hunting Easter eggs, eating ham and the fixings, or whatever else you personally do on Easter, why don’t you join us at Leo Coffeehouse for our mic-less open mic?
Everyone is welcome to attend our open mics. They aren’t just for the musicians who sign up to play. We have a bunch of talented musicians in QCB and they love playing for an audience. So if you are a musician, or a lover of acoustic music, join us for the intimate non-amplified version of our open mic. I hope to see you there.
Here is the latest QCB news:
Missing Raincoat
Leo Coffeehouse, Sunday, Sunday, April 20, 2025
Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse, Sunday, April 27, 2025
SongFarmers Gathering, May 8-10, 2025
Reference Information For New Subscribers (Below my sign off)
Missing Raincoat
It appears that someone took a raincoat that didn’t belong to them after Leo Coffeehouse on March 29, 2025. The coat belongs to Dick Males. From Dick: “When last seen it was hanging on a hook in the back. Dark gray/green with hood, lightweight and breathable, can't remember the brand, maybe Columbia or Marmot.”
If you took Dick’s raincoat, please return it to him at Leo.
Leo Coffeehouse
Sunday, April 20, 2025
5:15 PM: Guitar Roundtable
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.
5:15 PM: Open Jam
Anyone can bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.
6:30 PM: All Evening Mic-Less Open Mic
Sign up at 6:00 PM to perform 1 -2 songs. 8 minute limit.
Sound system will not be set up.
Looking Ahead: Leo Coffeehouse
Sunday, April 27, 2025
5:15 PM: Styles of American Roots Music Workshop
Led by Professor Louie and Miss Marie of the Crowmatics, covering Gospel - soul - folk - blues - Americana rock & more.
5:15 PM: Open Jam
Anyone can bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.
Performances: 6:40 - 9:00 PM
1st Set: Matthew Check
Matthew Check is a nationally recognized American roots singer, pianist, banjo player, guitarist, and half of the duo Matt & Joanie Leads who won the 2021 Grammy for best children's album. Matt's music has been featured in such outlets as Billboard, PopMatters, Wide Open Country and more. His career encompasses everything from Emmy-nominated bluegrass bands to critically-acclaimed solo albums. Visit his website.
2nd Set: Zapruder Point
At the turn of the millennium, Dan Phillips created Zapruder Point, writing and recording for over 15 years in Chicago. After relocating to Cincinnati, Dan now self-releases music and plays out as a solo. He's been compared to The Decemberists, Elliott Smith, and Waxahatchee. Zapruder Point's latest album, Backyard Birds, is a meditation on memories made, lost, and regained; a document of the daily struggle between weariness and mindfulness. Dan lives in the Northside with his partner Amy, their son Archer, and their hound Grady.
3rd Set: Jake Speed & The Freddies
They play a mix of traditional & original folk, country blues, and ragtime tunes that muse on Cincinnati’s unique past & present. Known as the Woody Guthrie of Cincinnati, Jake Speed is joined by Kentucky Graham, Chris Gibson, Justin Todhunter and Chris Werner. CityBeat Magazine voted them best local musicians. Visit their website for more.
That’s all for this Folknotes, I hope to see you soon.
Neil Harrell
President, Queen City Balladeers/Leo Coffeehouse
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.