RALPH. Coffee Jazz and Poetry

2026-09-14T17:59:54.079-07:00

TORONTO - (almost) low ticket alert!

17 seats left (of 30)

Just a reminder to my Toronto friends - yes, I'm bringing my beatnik jazz trio to the great Sellers & Newel Books on Sunday, Oct 11.

This is no ordinary bookstore. Lots of famous folks play there.

It's intimate, cozy and surrounded by the sweet smell of books.

Maybe dig that black turtleneck out of the closet or find that corduroy jacket with the elbow patches (very English Lit prof!) and come on over.

It's my first Toronto headline gig in 30 years. We've got Steven Lee Rachel on stand-up bass (and cigarette), Camila En Blanco on flute (and cool shades) and myself on vocals (and bad bongos). We've stripped it right down to the beat basics. We'll dim the lights and be cool and party like it's 1959, ok. LOL

Admission is by donation (minimum $20) and only through Sellers & Newel.

Details are on their website.
https://www.sellersandnewel.com/live-music.html

Or go there in person, 672 College St.

It would be great to see you there!

2024-05-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

Before there was YouTube or Instagram or Facebook, there was CABLE-TV! Full of weird and fun shows where you never knew what was gonna happen.

DAYTIME on Rogers Cable Vancouver was hosted by Mike Eckford & Fiona Forbes and they had me on tons of times hyping my books, CDs, live shows and whatever.

If you're a performer, there are pieces you really enjoy doing no matter what. This was mine. I have never been to Tokyo or Japan but this story of falling in love there actually connected with one of my RALPH zine readers who really did fall in love in Tokyo (wow).

Here is the late Tom Harrison and myself back in January, 1998, doing a pretty cool beat  vibe on Sunshine For Flowers (from the first RALPH album). Tom had an incredible pop sense and ability to sync in totally to what we were trying to do. 

Put more love into the world.

2023-11-15T18:42:00.000-08:00

Ralph Alfonso Punk Book - Finally!

2016-10-11T18:54:00.001-07:00

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Hi folks - as you know, I have been selling signed prints of my 1977 and beyond punk photos for the last little while at various book and zine fairs, concerts, and art galleries.

These are unique images from my time as a music journalist for Cheap Thrills, New York Rocker, Bomp! and other publications.

All the photos were usually accompanied by interviews with the artists involved (Patti Smith, The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, The Damned, Richard Hell, Dead Boys, Diodes, Viletones, Mo-Dettes, Barracudas, etc etc). I kept all the cassettes with all the interviews, in addition to copies of the final articles as they appeared at that time.

Over the years, I had thought about creating some kind of book but always kind of left it on the backburner as life carried on and I became engrossed with other projects, including publishing the ground-breaking Treat Me Like Dirt book by Liz Worth and initiating the genesis of what was to become Trouble In The Camera Club by Don Pyle.

At every fair or art exhibit where I have my photos, people enjoy my stories behind the images and ask about a book. Well, life is short and if I don't get this going, it may never happen. Thankfully, technology exists today that I can finally involve outside services to help transfer the interview cassette audio to digital and then transcribe them to text that can be edited properly.

I hope to expand my original articles with further quotes from the original interview tapes.

Scanning the photos is the most time consuming and needs extra care and attention.

The whole process will take a few months but worth the wait.
Once we have everything ready, we will either self-publish or partner with an established publisher.

You can contribute to making this book a reality by helping me with the costs. I cannot do this by myself.

Any contribution under $25 will get you a PDF of the final book, while $25 will get you a physical copy of the final book. NOTE: these are CANADIAN DOLLARS (good deal for USA and Euro folks).

I don't have a name for it right now but as it unfolds, I'm sure it will reveal itself.

This is an important work for me and I welcome you along for the journey.
Please share this page with friends you think would be interested.

Thank you.

Ralph Alfonso

NEWS AND UPDATES:

* I will autograph all advance books orders (thanks Dan Husband for the suggestion).
* PRE-ORDER GOAL IS: 300

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Update:

- pre-orders thus far are at 50
- you can pay with cheques, cash, or money orders or interac-Transfer (ralph@bongobeat.com)
- mail cheques (payable to Ralph Alfonso) or cash (well-hidden) to: 2049 Melrose, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H4V 2T1
- you can also see me in person at BBAM! Gallery in Montreal (808 Atwater, Lionel Groulx Metro)
- there is interest from a European publisher for a co-publishing situation
- if you have an idea for an exhibition of my photos in your town, let me know

2016-07-11T21:18:00.001-07:00

RALPH: KOVERS KINKS

and listen now on Spotify (also on Apple Music, etc) to my Kovers Kinks EP with the great Tom Harrison on vocals (I'm in the middle and on backgrounds).

"Ring The Bells" adds my little ode to Foyles Books.

On "I'll Remember" - we added the Nicky Hopkins piano that ISN'T on the original (courtesy of Tracy Marks).

https://play.spotify.com/album/5qTSVX4d87MrGmtcWk7bxq

Gene Vincent Rocks Jack Kerouac!

2016-07-11T21:10:00.002-07:00

Gene Vincent Rocks Jack Kerouac!

This is a little digital compilation that I put together that finally marries my fixations with Gene Vincent and Jack Kerouac into one tidy collection of tunes.
After some delivery hiccups, it is finally available on Spotify and Apple Music.

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This EP is the musical accompaniment to issue #52 of my RALPH zine where I wondered if Gene Vincent and Jack Kerouac ever met up and maybe had some drinks (or 5 or 20). Tom Tommy Bagley drew an amazing illustration of the two of them riding a freight car lost in their own melancholy. Over the course of my musical adventures, I would return to Jack and Gene many times and I've compiled those moments on here.

Private Detective is a great story song from 1964 written by by Gene Vincent under the pseudonym of Shelly Ann. This was always a fun tune to play live.

Gene Vincent Died In My Arms Last Night was written after I read the incredibly sad The Day The World Turned Blue, the Britt Hagarty biography of Gene Vincent, and especially how he died and the details of his funeral. The mighty Ron Radar Stelting on the drums. Britt Hagarty himself died a sad death; sideswiped by a car in Vancouver.

Goodbye Jack Kerouac is trying to condense the whole Kerouac vibe in as few words as possible. This was recorded late one night in Blair Packham's home studio with a lightning in a bottle rag tag gang of players including Dave Rave on guitar, Blair on bass, John Hamilton on snare, the mighty Kevin Quain on keyboards and the accounts guy from Long & McQuade on sax. Dave and I rode around in his old green van for the next two hours listening to a cassette of the mix. Jazz, garage rock, beatniks; it doesn't get any better.

Pull My Daisy. Recorded at 3 in the morning, live on the street in Hamilton, outside Catherine North studios. Written by David Amram, Kerouac, and Allen Ginsberg, with a nod to a line from the actual film. 3am - the magic time when all energies converge.

You can listen to it all here for free (there might be an ad inbetween tracks)

https://play.spotify.com/album/2IhHNFiPF7j2vuvOMCxHkj

16 Years Ago - This Is For The Night People

2016-07-11T21:07:00.000-07:00

It's occurred to me that not many of you are aware that I put out some great albums in my heyday as a beatnik jazz guy. 16 years ago, we dropped this cool oeuvre into the world. It was difficult to create and even more difficult to top, so I didn't.

It was Top Ten on BravoTV and Top Ten on the college charts and fabulous reviews from the UK, USA, France and a national tour with Lee Aaron and all kinds of stuff (my second book came out at the same time and we had the Raincoast Books machine behind us as well). It was even available via the Columbia House Record Club and made it on to the flier of cds you could have for 99 cents! That alone was the pinnacle. You can't really top that. And I didn't.

There's been bits and bobs in the years since (EPs, digital only releases, free downloads - the scattered bits of a 4th album that never got done). Well, THIS year, I've decided to get it together and see if we can coax lightning in a bottle one more time. If you're a musician friend, the call may come sooner than you think (but more likely in October - everyone goes home in October).

The concept is cool. Can't jinx it.

But in the meantime. It's late. Coffee's on. Storm's about to hit. Wind is sweeping out the streets and balconies and .... there you are.... in a car... somewhere....

https://play.spotify.com/album/7sQAeW7FREXwXOXxGWTxPO

RALPH back on tour! Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City and more!

2015-09-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

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The tour continues for me: Ottawa, Quebec City & Toronto (3 times over 4 weeks). Make your requests and I will bring them to the following shows (yes, I have some Diodes beer left). If there is a cool event in YOUR town that you think I should be at, let me know.

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04 - OTTAWA - Ottawa Record Show
https://www.facebook.com/events/1483608648621558/

18- TORONTO - Toronto Record Show
https://www.facebook.com/events/703124393150268/

25- TORONTO - Kensington Arts Fair
The Punk Photography of Ralph Alfonso (Ramones, Diodes, Damned, Patti Smith, etc). A booth with ALL my photos & related cool stuff.
https://www.facebook.com/kensingtonmarketartfair

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Nov
14- QUEBEC - Foire du Disque de Québec
https://www.facebook.com/events/140239862985903/

22- TORONTO - Flipside Record Show
https://www.facebook.com/events/1056190651072088/

Ralph, Why Shouldn't I (Cole Porter) cat slideshow!

2014-09-08T18:23:00.001-07:00

Mr. Ralph's Record Player : The Zombies - Odessey And Oracle

2014-04-03T20:26:00.001-07:00

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april 04 avril / Vendredi / Friday

Mr. Ralph's Record Player / Le Tourne-Disque de Monsieur Ralph

https://www.facebook.com/events/224414551092672/

THE ZOMBIES : Odessey and Oracle (includes/incluant: Time of The Season) http://youtu.be/52CqFq3xQE4

We will play this album on vinyl. Ralph Alfonso and his special guest Rishi Dhir (vocals,bass & sitar, Elephant Stone) will discuss the influence and importance of this album. Rishi has actually toured with The Zombies with his band, Elephant Stone.

Nous allons jouer cet album sur vinyle. Ralph Alfonso et son invité Rishi Dhir (Elephant Stone) discuteront l'influence et l'importance de cet album.

7pm/19h - $15 (includes two beverages/deux boissons incluse or/ou one beverage and one vinyl from the $5 Box / une boisson et un vinyle de la boîte $5)

It is recommended to arrive early to not only get a good seat but also to mingle and meet and enjoy some snacks (mmmm.... snacks!).

Il est recommandé d'arriver tôt pour avoir une bonne place, mais aussi de rencontrer des gens et profiter des collations (snacks mmmm. ...!).

Remember; your choice of drinks can be anything from our menu OR conversely you can pick out two vinyls with a $5 price tag - it's pretty flexible.

Rappelez-vous, votre choix de boissons peut être quelque chose de notre menu ou à l'inverse, vous pouvez choisir deux vinyles avec une étiquette de prix de 5 $.

---------------- PRESS RELEASE --------------

We are proud to present a new monthly series curated by BBAM! owner Ralph Alfonso. Every month, we will play a classic album from any genre (jazz, punk, metal, hip hop, rock, francophone, etc) in its original vinyl pressing. Ralph Alfonso will present an overview of the album's history and importance and a special guest musician will go over the musical aspects to pay attention to. Ultimately, we will eventually have some of the actual artists and/or producers as our guests to discuss and answer questions. Maybe we'll have guest performers.... it's wide open.

But one thing is for certain, the BBAM! intimate ambience is the perfect situation for music lovers. "We are in a magic era of re-discovery," says Ralph Alfonso. "There is an over-abundance of new and old music being discovered and shared but, sometimes, not a lot of context to properly place things on a timeline of musical and cultural history. Yes, we know things are important, but why? So much has been appropriated that sometimes listening to the original can be a revelation." Join us for an exciting musical adventure. and... where else will the admission get you a vinyl lp of your choice???

-----------------------

Nous sommes fiers de vous présenter une nouvelle série mensuelle organisée par Ralph Alfonso, le propriétaire de la Gallerie BBAM. Chaque mois, nous allons jouer un album classique de tous les genres (jazz, punk, métal, hip-hop, rock, francophone, etc.) dans son pressage vinyle original. Ralph Alfonso présentera un aperçu de l'histoire de l'album et un musicien invité expliquera les aspects musicaux de prêter attention. Nous espérons à terme, certaines des réels artistes et/ou producteurs comme nos invités pour discuter et répondre aux questions. Peut-être que nous aurons des artistes invités... on ne sait jamais.

Mais une chose est sûre, l'ambiance intime du BBAM est la situation parfaite pour les mélomanes. « Nous sommes dans une ère magique de re-découverte, » dit Ralph Alfonso. "Il y a une surabondance de musique nouvelle et ancienne qui est découvert et partagé mais, parfois, il n'y a pas beaucoup de contexte à placer correctement les choses sur une chronologie de l'histoire musicale et culturelle. Oui, nous savons que les choses sont importantes, mais pourquoi? Parfois, l'écoute de l'original peut être une révélation. » Rejoignez-nous pour une aventure musicale passionnante. et ... où donc va l'admission vous obtenez un vinyle de votre choix??

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BIOS

Ralph Alfonso

Ralph Alfonso is a Montreal native with a pop culture history that could fill a book (it fact, there are two), journalist, poet/musician, publisher, manager, label owner, record company executive, graphic designer, photographer - he has worked at Attic Records, EMI Canada, Warner Canada, Nettwerk, iTunes and managed Canada's first punk club in 1977 in Toronto in addition to working with Anvil, Blue Rodeo, Tom Cochrane, Corey Hart, Plastic Bertrand, Katrina and The Waves, Platinum Blonde, Brighton Rock, Honeymoon Suite, The Damn Truth, The Diodes, Loverboy, The Payolas, and countless others. As a musician, he has toured across Canada and performed in San Francisco, New York, Rome, London and even the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool.

His videos have aired on Much Music and were Top Ten on BRAVO! while a documentary on his life played the Montreal Film Festival before airing nationally on CBC and BRAVO! Ralph's liner notes for Montreal's garage rockers The Haunted (the 80s re-issues on Voxx Records) are still referenced over 20 years later. Needless to say, Ralph's multi-discipline pop culture experiences and insider knowledge will make this series an eclectic and informative journey.

Ralph Alfonso est un Montréalais avec un fond de culture pop qui pourrait remplir un livre (en effet, il y a deux), journaliste, poète, musicien, éditeur, gestionnaire, propriétaire de maison de disque, exécutif, graphiste, photographe - il a travaillé à Attic Records, EMI Canada, Warner Canada, Nettwerk, iTunes et il était le gerant du premier club de punk du Canada en 1977 à Toronto - en plus de travailler avec Anvil, Blue Rodeo, Tom Cochrane, Corey Hart, Plastic Bertrand, Katrina & The Waves, Platinum Blonde, Brighton Rock, Honeymoon Suite, The Damn Truth, The Diodes, Loverboy, The Payolas et innombrables autres.

Comme musicien, il a fait des tournées partout au Canada et jouée à San Francisco, New York, Rome, Londres et même le légendaire Cavern Club de Liverpool. Ses vidéos ont été diffusées sur Much Music et étaient "Top Ten" sur BRAVO! alors qu'un documentaire sur sa vie a joué au Festival de Film de Montréal avant diffusion au niveau national sur CBC et BRAVO! Les expériences et les connaissances de Ralph feront de cette série un parcours éclectique et instructif.

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Rishi Dhir

Montreal’s Elephant Stone was formed in 2009 by sitarist/bassist Rishi Dhir. As one of the most highly sought out sitar players in the psychedelic music scene, he has recorded and toured with the Black Angels, Brian Jonestown Massacre, the Horrors, the Soundtrack of Our Lives, and many more.

In 2009, Elephant Stone released their Polaris Music Prize-nominated debut, The Seven Seas. 2010/2011 saw the release of The Glass Box EP, a supporting slot on the Brian Jonestown Massacre’s North American tour, multiple European/UK tours with sold-out dates in London and Berlin, and festival appearances at the Iceland Airwaves, Osheaga (Canada), and SXSW. 2013 has seen the band release their sophomore long-player, perform at both SXSW and the Austin Psych Fest, as well as tour North America with both the Zombies (She’s Not There, Time of the Season) and the Black Angels.

The followings months will see the band continue to spread their psychedlified hindie-rock mantra throughout North America and then the world.

Elephant Stone a été formé en 2009 par le sitariste / bassiste Rishi Dhir. Comme l'un des joueurs de sitar le plus fortement recherchées dans le monde de la musique psychédélique, il a enregistré et tourné avec les Black Angels, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Horrors, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, et beaucoup plus.

En 2009, Elephant Stone a sorti son premier album, The Seven Seas (nominé pour le Prix de Musique Polaris). 2010/2011 a vu la sortie de l'EP, The Glass Box, et une tournée avec Brian Jonestown Massacre, plusieurs tournées européennes / Royaume-Uni avec des dates à guichets fermés à Londres et à Berlin, et des festivals (Iceland Airwaves, Osheaga, et SXSW). 2013 a vu le groupe sort son deuxième album, et effectuer à la fois SXSW et l'Austin Psych Fest, ainsi que tournée nord-américaine avec les Zombies (She's Not There, Time of the Season) et les Black Angels.

Le groupe continue de se propager leur mantra psychédélique en Amérique du Nord et dans le monde.

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For all Elephant Stone news and details on their June European tour, please go here:

Pour toutes les nouvelles et informations sur Elephant Stone et leur tournée européenne en Juin: aller ici:

http://www.elephantstonemusic.com/

Mr Ralph's Record Player. Jan. 31, 2014. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

2014-01-30T21:48:00.000-08:00

A Vinyl Listening Experience

jan 31 jan / Vendredi / Friday
Mr. Ralph's Record Player / Le Tourne-Disque de Monsieur Ralph
John Coltrane : A Love Supreme

We will play this album on vinyl.
Ralph Alfonso and his special guest, Franco Proietti, will discuss the influence and importance of this album.

Nous allons jouer cet album sur vinyle.
Ralph Alfonso et son invité spécial, Franco Proietti, discuteront l'influence et l'importance de cet album.

7pm/19h - $15 (includes two beverages/deux boissons incluse or/ou one beverage and one vinyl from the $5 Jazz Box / une boisson et un vinyle de la boîte $5 Jazz)

BBAM! Gallery
3255 St Jacques
Montreal

http://www.bbamgallery.com

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PRESS RELEASE

--------------

A Vinyl Listening Experience / la nuit du vinyle!

jan 31 jan / Vendredi / Friday
Mr. Ralph's Record Player / Le Tourne-Disque de Monsieur Ralph
John Coltrane : A Love Supreme

We will play this album on its original vinyl.
Ralph Alfonso and his special guest, Franco Proietti, will discuss the influence and importance of this album.

Nous allons jouer cet album sur son vinyle originale
Ralph Alfonso et son invité spécial, Franco Proietti, discuteront l'influence et l'importance de cet album.

7pm/19h - $15 (includes two beverages/deux boissons incluse or/ou one beverage and one vinyl from the $5 Jazz Box / une boisson et un vinyle de la boîte $5 Jazz)

-------------------------------

We are proud to present a new monthly series curated by BBAM! owner Ralph Alfonso. Every month, we will play a classic album from any genre (jazz, punk, metal, hip hop, rock, francophone, etc) in its original vinyl pressing. Ralph Alfonso will present an overview of the album's history and importance and a special guest musician will go over the musical aspects to pay attention to, perhaps demonstrating on guitar, sax, keyboards, etc. Ultimately, we will eventually have some of the actual artists and/or producers as our guests to discuss and answer questions. Maybe we'll have guest performers.... it's wide open. But one thing is for certain, the BBAM! intimate ambience is the perfect situation for music lovers.

"We are in a magic era of re-discovery," says Ralph Alfonso. "There is an over-abundance of new and old music being discovered and shared but, sometimes, not a lot of context to properly place things on a timeline of musical and cultural history. Yes, we know things are important, but why? So much has been appropriated that sometimes listening to the original can be a revelation."

A Love Supreme by John Coltrane is considered one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. Released in February of 1965, possibly the most pivotal year in modern pop culture, it heralded Coltrane's passage from straight ahead jazz star to visionary of a new path at the exact zeitgeist as music in general was breaking through into radical new directions. From producer Bob Thiele's iconic cover photo to the music between the album's gatefold; the influence and power of this recording resonates to this day and beyond.

Join us for the beginning of an exciting musical adventure.
and... where else will the admission get you a vinyl jazz lp of your choice???

----------------------------------------------

Ralph Alfonso is a Montreal native with a pop culture history that could fill a book (it fact, there are two), journalist, poet/musician, publisher, manager, label owner, record company executive, graphic designer, photographer - he has worked at Attic Records, EMI Canada, Warner Canada, Nettwerk, iTunes and managed Canada's first punk club in 1977 in Toronto in addition to working with Anvil, Blue Rodeo, Tom Cochrane, Corey Hart, Plastic Bertrand, Katrina & The Waves, Platinum Blonde, Brighton Rock, Honeymoon Suite, The Damn Truth, The Diodes, Loverboy, The Payolas, and countless others.

As a musician, he has toured across Canada and performed in San Francisco, New York, Rome, London and even the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool. His piece, "John Coltrane New York City" was commissioned by Ross Porter for CBC After Hours and was heard for many years late at night on CBC Radio nationwide. His videos have aired on Much Music and were Top Ten on BRAVO! while a documentary on his life played the Montreal Film Festival before airing nationally on CBC and BRAVO! Ralph's liner notes for Montreal's garage rockers The Haunted (the 80s re-issues on Voxx Records) are still referenced over 20 years later. Needless to say, Ralph's multi-discipline pop culture experiences and insider knowledge will make this series an eclectic and informative journey.

Franco Proietti is the leader/saxophone with The Morph-tet, a Montreal funk collective that cross-pollinates soul, hip-hop, jazz and funk into a blend uniquely Montreal. Franco and the Morph-tet are constantly voted Top Five in all local jazz polls. Their new album is called Exclamations! You can listen here: http://morph-tet.com As a noted saxophonist/composer and teacher in his own right, Franco Proietti is the perfect guy to break down the Coltrane ethos and provide knowledgeable insights from a musician's perspective.

The 12th Day of Grimmage: The Monarchy

2013-12-26T11:43:00.001-08:00

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The current exhibition at BBAM! is the 12 Days of Grimmage. Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by Ralph Alfonso, based on her titles for her paintings.

It is all ballerinas, and a percentage of sales goes to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for their Nutcracker Fund (which gives tickets to disadvantaged kids in the community to their production of The Nutcracker).

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time. This final 12th one is called The Monarchy.

The painting is $550 and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

The 11th Day of Grimmage: Playgirl

2013-12-25T20:12:00.000-08:00

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The current exhibition at BBAM! is the 12 Days of Grimmage. Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by Ralph Alfonso, based on her titles for her paintings.

It is all ballerinas, and a percentage of sales goes to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for their Nutcracker Fund (which gives tickets to disadvantaged kids in the community to their production of The Nutcracker).

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time. This 11th one is called Playgirl. The painting is $550 and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

the 10th Day Of Grimmage: Shandy-Lier

2013-12-24T14:49:00.003-08:00

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.
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The current exhibition at BBAM! is the 12 Days of Grimmage. Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by myself, based on her titles for her paintings.

It is all ballerinas, and a percentage of sales goes to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for their Nutcracker Fund (which gives tickets to disadvantaged kids in the community to their production of The Nutcracker).

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time. This 10th one is called Shandy-Lier. The painting is $550 and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

The 9th Day of Grimmage: White Russian

2013-12-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

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The current exhibition at BBAM! is the 12 Days of Grimmage. Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by myself, based on her titles for her paintings.

It is all ballerinas, and a percentage of sales goes to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for their Nutcracker Fund (which gives tickets to disadvantaged kids in the community to their production of The Nutcracker).

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time. This 9th one is called White Russian. The painting is $550 and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

The 8th Day of Grimmage: Two Chicks at a Bar

2013-12-22T10:02:00.000-08:00

The current exhibition at BBAM! is the 12 Days of Grimmage.

Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by myself, based on her titles for her paintings.

It is all ballerinas, and a percentage of sales goes to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for their Nutcracker Fund (which gives tickets to disadvantaged kids in the community to their production of The Nutcracker).

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time. This 8th one is called Two Chicks at a Bar.

The painting is $550 and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

The 7th Day of Grimmage: Daydreamer

2013-12-21T22:11:00.001-08:00

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The Russian ballerina is back!

The current exhibition at BBAM! is the 12 Days of Grimmage. Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by myself, based on her titles for her paintings.

It is all ballerinas, and a percentage of sales goes to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for their Nutcracker Fund (which gives tickets to disadvantaged kids in the community to their production of The Nutcracker).

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time.

This 7th one is called Daydreamer.

The painting is $550 and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

The 6th Day of Grimmage: Lucky Number 7

2013-12-21T22:09:00.000-08:00

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.
The current exhibition at BBAM! is the 12 Days of Grimmage.

Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by myself, based on her titles for her paintings. It is all ballerinas, and a percentage of sales goes to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for their Nutcracker Fund (which gives tickets to disadvantaged kids in the community to their production of The Nutcracker).

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time.

This 6th one is called Lucky Number 7.

The painting is $550 and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

The 5th Day of Grimmage: Wish Upon A Star

2013-12-18T13:31:00.000-08:00

The current exhibition at BBAM! is the 12 Days of Grimmage.

Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by myself, based on her titles for her paintings.

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time.

This 6th one is called Wish Upon A Star.

The painting is $550 and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

The 4th Day of Grimmage: Rubee

2013-12-16T08:04:00.003-08:00

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.
The current exhibition at BBAM! is the 12 Days of Grimmage. Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by myself, based on her titles for her paintings.

It is all ballerinas, and a percentage of sales goes to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for their Nutcracker Fund (which gives tickets to disadvantaged kids in the community to their production of The Nutcracker).

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time.

This 4th one is called Rubee. The painting is $550 and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

The Third Day of Grimmage: Shay Gal

2013-12-15T16:15:00.002-08:00

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.

The current exhibition at BBAM! is the 12 Days of Grimmage. Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by myself, based on her titles for her paintings.

It is all ballerinas, and a percentage of sales goes to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for their Nutcracker Fund (which gives tickets to disadvantaged kids in the community to their production of The Nutcracker).

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time.

This third one is called Shay Gal (yes, exactly).

The painting is $550 and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

The 2nd Day of Grimmage: All Tied Up

2013-12-14T10:40:00.000-08:00

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The current exhibition at BBAM! is the 12 Days of Grimmage.

Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by myself, based on her titles for her paintings.

It is all ballerinas, and a percentage of sales goes to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for their Nutcracker Fund (which gives tickets to disadvantaged kids in the community to their production of The Nutcracker).

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time. This second one is called All Tied Up.

The painting is SOLD, and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

The First Day of Grimmage: Gin Fizz

2013-12-13T15:44:00.002-08:00

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The current exhibition at my BBAM! Gallery opens tonight (right now actually, come on over).

It is the 12 Days of Grimmage. Paintings by Carylann Loeppky and text by myself, based on her titles for her paintings. It is all ballerinas, so all the poetry will be mostly based around that.

Altho all the paintings are currently up, we will reveal the text one day at a time.

The first one is called Gin Fizz and is the poster image, so fitting that we start with that one. The painting is $550 and is 20x16", oil on canvas and resin coated.

A percentage of sales goes to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for their Nutcracker Fund (which gives tickets to disadvantaged kids in the community to their production of The Nutcracker).

http://www.bbamgallery.com

Christmas Is All About

2013-12-02T21:19:00.002-08:00

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Wow, it's been a while. Sometimes it takes a bit of winter chill to get the muse on the go, or maybe it's that I've always liked this time of the year; snow settling in and that soft twilight haze all night long.....

Here's something new but really it's about something old -

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Christmas Is All About

Christmas is all about
the kitchen smells
the twinkling stars
cause it's dark out early
that soft glow
footprints in the snow
leading to the back door
into the kitchen
It's a big apple pie
cooling on the oven
but it has to wait
There's a turkey to slice up
and serve
All the kids at their little table
and all of us at ours
Some nice wine
Glasses blinking
reflections from the
lights swirled around
the Christmas tree
cut fresh
yesterday at Mr. Miller's farm
and now
crowned
with a purple star
all knowing
all seeing
always embracing
at this time of year

- Ralph Alfonso Dec 2, 2013

C'est Jolie Noel - Free Download MP3

2012-12-11T06:22:00.001-08:00

. . . . A wonderful little bilingual Christmas song from my 1997 album, Sophisticated Boom Boom. Guitar and harmonica by the wonderful Graham Brown. You can download it for free here: https://soundcloud.com/bongobeatrecords/ralph-cest-jolie-noel