President’s Letter
11/29/23
Hello Everyone,
Here’s the latest Leo Coffeehouse/QCB news:
Last Sunday we were treated to a great night of music with some exquisite guitar playing, fine vocals, and peaceful native American flute. We’ve got three more Leo Coffeehouse Sundays in December before we close two weeks for the holidays: two more performance nights and one night of holiday cheer, all detailed below.
Join us if you can. Every Leo Coffeehouse is special.
This Sunday:
December 3, 2023
5:15 PM: Open Jam
Musicians bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony. This jam continues upstairs during the concert.
6:40-9:00 PM: Performances
1st Set: Laurelview Ramblers
This trio of old-time musicians includes Jeff Gushin, fiddle, mandolin, and vocals, Mike Boerschig, guitar and vocals and Jeff Custis, banjo, fiddle and vocals. They perform an assortment of traditional American music from the Civil War era up through the “golden” string band era of the 1920s and some contemporary folk songs. Throw in some ragtime and jug band music and you have the Laurelview Ramblers.
2nd Set: Ed Stapleton
Queen City Balladeer and founding member of the Full Moon Ranch trio, Ed is happy to be back at the Leo, a place that's had a profound effect on his life. A few QCB friends will pitch-in to perform some of his original songs, with one or two covers in the mix. If there’s a general theme to Ed’s songs, it would be stories of small-town life and love.
3rd Set: Sassafras Grass
They play everything from Blues, Old-time, Irish, Swing, and Bluegrass. Cincinnati Rose (Laura Hasek) adds her fiddle and voice to highlight every song, including beautiful songs she has written. Dr. Dobro (Jim Huey) shows off his dobro skills. Big Jim (Jim Gaube) pleases everyone with his smile, voice, and bass playing. Sassafras (Trina Emig) holds down rhythm and harmonies with her banjo. http://sassygrassmusic.com.
Looking Ahead:
Leo Coffeehouse, December 10, 2023
5:15 PM: Songwriters Collaborative
Come and share your original song with other experienced songwriters for encouragement and friendly, constructive critiques.
5:15 PM: Open Jam
Musicians bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony. This jam continues upstairs during the concert.
6:40-9:00 PM: Performances
1st Set: Family & Friends
An ensemble made up of Bill Rogers, Barry Jones, and Dick Males on bass performing an array of singer/songwriter tunes. Maybe there will be a tune by John Prine or Bob Dylan but the others might surprise you, and entertain you.
2nd Set: Jim Lindenschmidt
Jim will be playing and singing covers and originals that include elements of Rock, Blues, Country, Folk, and Soul. In other words, The Cincinnati Sound.
3rd Set: Oxford Folk Jazz
Zach Davis, Jim Dynes, Frank Fitch, Fred Hautau and Lara Thurston perform an eclectic mix of Gypsy jazz, blues, American standards and musical selections from around the world focusing on up-tempo, rhythm-centric arrangements that invigorate the spirit.
https://www.facebook.com/oxfordfolkjazz
And Further Ahead:
Leo Coffeehouse
December 17, 2023
3:30 PM: Holiday Caroling
Tell your friends and bring the kids! This is a special holiday sing-along led by Robin Roland.
5:30 PM: Holiday Potluck
Bring a dish to share with serving utensils.
6:40 PM: All Evening Song Circle
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.
I hope to see you at Leo Coffeehouse.
Neil Harrell
President, Queen City Balladeers/Leo Coffeehouse
