Schedule of Events

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

PERFORMANCES  6:40 - 9:00 PM

DAN VAN VECHTEN TRIO

A singer/songwriter living in Cincinnati, originally from upstate New York, where cows outnumber people and the peaks in the skyline include the Adirondack mountains. When I found an open mic on the west side of Cincinnati, I pulled my guitar out and went back the next week.  I now play all over the area as a solo act or with the addition of local friends, and my third album, "Stringtown Sessions" is available for sale as of June 2022.

JON LETTS

A professional jazz bassist with a master’s in jazz bass from University of Michigan who has performed with Detroit artists Laura Rain, the Caesars, Bluewater Kings and many more. This is my venture into the country music I grew up with. Jon plays originals and covers by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, George Jones and more. 

JAMONN ZEILER     find him on Facebook

Jamon is celebrating nearly 60 years performing in public and he still cannot get enough of the music he loves.

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.

5:15 PM Open Jam
Anyone can bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.

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FEBRUARY 23, 2025

PERFORMANCES  6:40 - 9:00 PM

1ST SET  DWIGHT SMITH

Dwight started writing songs during my college days a few years (decades) ago, and learned three chords on a borrowed guitar. I'm still working on learning the "truth", as Hank Williams discussed. My songs are introspective, and outrospective observations on whatever I happen to be thinking 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 JIM’S RED PANTS

Rick and Hillary Wagner met in 1995 playing a Christmas show with their then current duos. They enjoyed the experience so much they got married and just kept playing together and have been playing for over 24 years now!  They play historic, traditional, Irish and original music along with Larry Fortson on Uilleann pipes.

3RD SET YARD CARS

An acoustic blend of blues, bluegrass and everything in between. With one foot rooted in the Appalachian foothills and the other in the Mississippi delta, they play Ohio River Valley roots music plus a barn burning bluegrass eclectic collective. Nora Denning, Greg Longeway, Stu Toraason, Michelle Gillinger.

BEFORE THE LEO

5:15 PM Old Time Jam

Join this song circle to lead and play along to old songs written before the folk revival.

5:15 PM Open Jam
Anyone can bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.

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MARCH 2, 2025

PERFORMANCES  6:40 - 9:00 PM

1ST SET KAITLIN MORRISON

A former regular at the Leo, Kaitlin took time off for a couple babies, and finally returned last year.

2ND SET APRIL COMBS MANN

April Mann performs her original and traditional songs under the name Goldenthread. She has toured extensively across the US and Europe, played Lallapalooza and done a Peel Session on BBC Radio One. Her original songs have been featured in hit television shows. She has shared stages with Carrie Newcomer, Marianne Faithfull, Shawn Colvin, and many others. April sings with Cincinnati Irish trad fav Dark Moll and her fairytale podcast, April Eight Songs & Stories, has listeners in over 70 countries across the globe.

3RD SET CO-CONSPIRITORS

Quebec duo Will Richards and Katherine Simons play folk/singer-songwriter music with elements of country, rock, blues, gospel, bluegrass, spiritual, general roots music and contemporary covers. Simons is a classically trained french horn player and percussionist who’s pure, angelic voice stands in contrast the the more raw style of Richards. Their heavy emphasis on vocal harmonies has been compared to The Weavers, Ian and Sylvia, and Richard and Linda Thompson. Described as modern day troubadours, they have released 4 albums to date.

BEFORE THE LEO

3:00 PM 1ST SUNDAY RISE UP SINGING                           

Tell all 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.

5:15 PM Vocal harmony workshop led by the CO-CONSPIRITORS

5:15 PM Open Jam
Anyone can bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.

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MARCH 9, 2025

PERFORMANCES  6:40 - 9:00 PM

1ST SET JOHN FONNER

You can often find John as Emcee for the Leo Coffeehouse but tonight he’s on the bill performing on tenor guitar with bassist, John Gardik. The music will include several original songs, and an eclectic mix of old country classics, mid-century gospel and odds and ends. Remember if folks like it, it’s folk music.

2ND SET MATT ROUCH

They originally formed in Denver where the band quickly rose to prominence in CO, winning Best Country Band and an IMEA award for Folk Song of the Year. In Cinci, they kept the same playing style-James Taylor meets Fleet Foxes–and added Greta Propp on fiddle. Matt pours honesty and intimacy in his songs that connect with the listener with stories that hit close to home.

3RD SET ELLIE FABE

a singer/songwriter from Cincinnati whose songs create an intimate portrait of longing and love; an interpreter of memory and nostalgia, she has a sound all her own. She’s performed in such notable venues as New York’s The Bitter End and Chicago’s The Elbo Room and her release, Devil May Care is the 2015 Ohio Music Awards Winner for Best Singer/Songwriter. She was also nominated for the 2017 Just Plain Folks Music Awards: Best Song in the Americana category from album: Devil May Care for: “How Does It Feel?”and Best New Folk Album: Be A Girl Again.This is alternative folk—expressive, authentic.

BEFORE THE LEO

5:15 PM Songwriters Collaborative

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

5:15 PM Open Jam
Anyone can bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.

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MARCH 16, 2025

6:30 PM ALL EVENING OPEN MIC

Sign up at 6:00 PM to perform 1 -2 songs. 8 minute limit.
Sound system will be set up.

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.

5:15 PM  Open Jam

Anyone can bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MARCH 23, 2025

PERFORMANCES  6:40 - 9:00 PM

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 RAISE THE ROOF

Raise the Roof is the 2024 Barbershop Harmony Society Senior International Quartet Champion. Their rich, close harmonies have been described as "a wonderful wall of sound." Join Steve, Marco, Tom & Nat for a truly enjoyable evening of music.

3RD SET DAVID SINGLEY

David Singley is a singer-songwriter-guitarist from Saint Paul, MN, whose music is born of the street, the country, and the academy. A veteran of backing world-class artists and performers, he has recently joined the Great Resignation and set his sights on his own artistic pursuits. His last album, The Long, Slow Fuse of Night, charted on Americana radio for several months. His influences include all the great singer-songwriters of the 1970s.

BEFORE THE LEO

5:15 PM Old Time Jam

Join this song circle to lead and play along to old songs written before the folk revival.

5:15 PM Open Jam
Anyone can bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MARCH 30, 2025

PERFORMANCES  6:40 - 9:00 PM

1ST SET RIEGLER SOUND WAYS

Ed and Sharon Riegler invite you to enjoy Ed’s original songs, some of which have been written since his second album “Good To Be Here”. Sharon was involved with editing, and helping with vocals, melodica and bass.  They will also perform some familiar covers from a multi-decade palette of standards. Ed and Sharon will appreciate your listening support.

2ND SET DAVE HAWKINS

“Dave is a rare find in this world of hyped, derivative and bottom line-driven music…he has broadened his work to include many influences from the best of rich musical forms usually found elsewhere in the world.”--Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) He plays with Perfect Men, Bobby Fisher and Stan Ginn

3RD SET ANNA AND THE DEEPER WELL

They started as the father-daughter-duo Anna and Milovan. The group has been playing for over ten years in the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2012 they added Anna's husband, Luke Moderwell, to the band. Their music contains an eclectic mix of  blues, jazz, folk, originals, and pop.

BEFORE THE LEO

5:15 PM Workshop–Acapella Paperless Songs-Janice Alvarado

5:15 PM Open Jam
Anyone can bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.

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APRIL 6, 2025

PERFORMANCES  6:40 - 9:00 PM

1ST SET CHRIS LEE

Now an acoustic guitar player, early influences were Ozzy, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple/Rainbow and Queen. Tito Jackson, Keith Partridge and Ace Frehley of Kiss were the first musicians who influenced Chris to play the guitar. “Growing up, heavy metal was my favorite to play... But now…, I can find enjoyment in playing any genre of music. I am thoroughly a fan of playing the guitar.”

2ND SET NEVER2LATE

George Cooley and Victor Lloyd have been singing together for probably 30 years. Known for their harmonies, NeverTooLate was a trio that performed at Summer Fair, Harmony night at the Leo, Edensong and various venues in Mt Adams and Oakley. The duo reunited for performances in early 2024. 

3RD SET JILL & BOBBY

Jill Denton and Bobby Fisher first joined forces in the progressive bluegrass band, the Smyth Brothers, followed by the much loved country rock band, Coyote. Theirs’ is a chemistry that creates a unique energy in their music and a confidence that only comes from years of playing together. Jill’s powerful and beautiful voice along with Bobby’s dynamic guitar skills and vocal harmonies.

BEFORE THE LEO

3:00 PM 1ST SUNDAY RISE UP SINGING                           

Tell all 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.

5:15 PM Open Jam
Anyone can bring songs to lead in the circle while others provide backup and harmony.