A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

This has been a week of SPRING AWAKENINGS (a shout out to the Broadway musical my friend Tamara Tunie is producing. Please check it out: www.springawakening.com/), playing themselves out alongside near-freezing temperatures in April. Like the winter into the reluctant season that follows, I feel like I'm thawing out slowly and surely, but not quite fast enough to finally feel the energy from the inevitable heat that promises to warm my body and heart. Does that make sense? It's like the lyric from my Diana's "SUMMERTIME" (".... when will you come. I want to put my light things on. I want to put my winter life away. SUMMERTIME I need a sunny day...". REMEMBER THAT? It's from her 1987 RCA swan song Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.). 

Fortunately, in my life, there continue to be moments that reflect the layers of JOYFULNESS that I choose to stand inside and create, even when the day is not the best or I'm not feeling the best or I'm inside of angst and anxiety around things past, present, and future. I CHOOSE JOY and CHOOSE TO BE LOVING, VULNERABLE, and OPEN... just because. And knowing that those WAYS OF BEING are showing up in the world and shifting those in my life is MORE THAN ENOUGH (the OUTWARD FOCUS). The JOY that comes to me is icing on the cake... and I might be having a diabetic coma for all the SWEETNESS that continues to come my way.

In a recent entry, I referenced that my man Anthony had graduated the BASIC course of MOMENTUM EDUCATION (www.momentumeducation.com), a highly-recommended four-day course that offers its participants to take a closer look at their lives and how they show up in the world. He chose to continue on with the work and has -  since that writing - completed the ADVANCED course, which is a more intense, five-day course that challenges its participants to GO FOR THEIR DREAMS and have them SHOW UP inside of a CONTEXT of WIN-WIN and WHATEVER IT TAKES. It's a POWERFUL work that I will continue to recommend to anyone who is looking for any level of SHIFT in their lives. For me, MOMENTUM continues to be an experience I channel and reconnect to when possible as a reminder of what is truly POSSIBLE in my  ABUNDANT life. And on that inevitable day when things aren't going MY WAY, there's still someone I can BE (in the way of ACCOUNTABILITY and RESPONSIBILITY) to have that 'frown' turned 'upside down' and AMAZING results show up in the world.

Just Saturday, for example, I had the chance to show up in a way that I didn't think - in my mind - I had the energy to pull off. On Friday night/early Saturday morning, I got an 11th hour dispatch to Toronto, where I was to conduct a quick interview and return to New York that  same afternoon. Quite a JOLTING request, considering I didn't get much of a heads up as I spent the bulk of my Friday offline and off-the-clock from any of my clients. Then, to do a quick e-mail check before bed introduced these URGENT (yet casually presented) requests of my services. I took a deep breath and CHOSE THE STRETCH. Still, nothing seemed to be going right for me to get prepped in the four hours that I had to get this trip off and popping - from drivers/car services who couldn't accommodate my need for a ride to the airport to determining the distance from the Toronto airport to where I needed to meet the subject in an Ontario suburb, etc. In the end, I made it to Canada, giggling when the Canadian Customs guy asked who I was there to see. I was so minimally prepared, I didn't even know and had to comb through the little information I did have handy to figure it out. In the end, everything truly worked out and I found inspiration actually from the quick story I was there to get. Moreover, I finished in record time to be able to get an earlier flight back to New York City, but that flight unfortunately would have mechanical issues. Still, I landed back in New York City in time to meet my friend Michael K. Watts at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill (bbkingblues.com/) to see the amazing songstress Ledisi, whose two independent albums, Soulsinger and Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue, have moved over 160,000 copies and continue to be the most hard to find independent albums to date (http://www.ledisi.com/).  Ledisi has enrolled a cult following of fans who truly adore her. (I've been a fan since Fall 2001 when I had the chance to interview her in Los Angeles on the "Levi's Engineered-Jeans Self-Engineered Tour" with The Roots. I knew she was something special then). From there, she has continued to pierce her talents into the universe, "the mainstream machine" notwithstanding. Feeling Orange received a 2003 California Music Award for Outstanding Jazz Album and Soulsinger has received high praise since its initial release in 2000 and was re-distributed by Tommy Boy Records in 2004. After being an independent artist for six years, Ledisi had her first major break after appearing as a guest artist on GRP’s Grammy® nominated album, Forever For Always For Luther (2005).  Audiences got a taste of her singing on "My Sensitivity" being one of only two singers (Lalah Hathaway being the other) featured on this wonderful instrumental tribute album. And after many years of being an independent artist, Ledisi has now leaped into a new phase of her career and has signed with the Verve Music Group (www.vervemusicgroup.com). That project, excerpts of which she introduced to us on Saturday night (including a song titled "Joy"), comes out this summer. And in addition to her powerhouse vocals and songwriting prowess, she is an accomplished actress. She has performed in theater on and off Broadway, most recently in the Tony Kushner/George C.Wolfe production of  Caroline or Change and has done some work with The Color Purple.  And I am thinking THE WORLD is really getting ready to know LEDISI as her voice has no limitations and yet - unlike some big-voice divas - she doesn't abuse her range. Instead, she takes hold of a lyric and a melody and takes a song on a rollercoaster ride of understated pleasure right alongside the overexpressed ecstasy that comes out of her mouthpiece and vomits (in the most elegant of ways) all over the stage and the audience. And to show she's not a show-off, she welcomes "sing-a-longs" that she directs as if in front of the young adult choir at any-church USA. Then, there's her MESSAGE that echoes the INFINITE  POSSIBILITIES I stumbled into in my MOMENTUM studies. She pulls from her own TESTIMONIAL of how she worked in somebody's office from 9-to-5, putting her art as a singer on the side. She says that SPIRIT called her to BE BOLD and GO ALL THE WAY as the SINGER she is on this earth to be. She quit her job and the rest is about to be HISTORY. Of course, as I know from my own LEAPS of FAITH, there are a number of struggles to pay bills and stay afloat, and yet - inside of her TRUSTING her POWERFUL CHOICES - it all works out. I am excited about LEDISI's future and my future in being able to hear her more and see those around me enjoy her inspired VOCALS and MESSAGE.

At this show, one of MOMENTUM's own got the honor of showing up inside of his (and LEDISI's) own stretch. Leslie "BUTTAFLYSOUL" Taylor, poet/spoken word artist, host, vocalist, actor, producer and director, got the chance to sing background for LEDISI, simply by being in the right place at the right time. As the legend is told, he was waiting in line with LEDISI's many other fans, when news broke that her background singers were not going to be able to make it. BUTTA and two others jumped right in to score the challenging, layered vocals that LEDISI's songs sometimes require with little to no rehearsal time. And as a singer myself, you can't expect it all to go perfectly when moments like this happen. Instead, you can CHOOSE to show up and have it show up as it will. And I'm here to tell you, from my seat, BUTTA and the two other singers performed BRILLIANTLY and made the night the ORGANIC WONDER that any LEDISI experience will bring. IMPRESSIVE, it was as IMPRESSIVE, this native of Chicago, IL is. BUTTA has been featured on 98.7 Kiss FM, Boston Comedy Club, Blue Stockings, Club Decades, and the BET/Pantene Totally You Tour with Nikki Giovanni. He has also been featured at a host of poetry venues, churches, and universities. His spoken word artistry has also won him the Nuyorican Glam Slam Championship as well as the opportunity to open for Motown recording artist Donnie. He is currently one of the contributing writers for the Signifying Harlem Literary Journal and featured poet for the Nubian Heritage on line magazine. He prides himself on having the distinction of being one of the esteemed members of the Peabody Award winning Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam family. As a singer, his vocals have been showcased and featured in Chicago, Miami, Washington D.C., and New York City. He is currently featured on the dance single “Trouble Man Remix.” He is also the newest member of Deep Dickollective (DDC) a hip hop group based out Oakland. Together they tour colleges and hip hop venues a like sharing their brand of in your face hip hop lyrics. Butta has also been featured in Peace Out East in New York, and Peace Out West in Oakland. Though his heart is in gospel music, he easily makes the transition into R&B and Jazz. With his melodic sound, he continues to be a sought after and respected vocalist.   And as his STAND for the WORLD goes, he is committed to educating people on HIV/AIDS awareness especially in the African American community. He took the opportunity to share his gift of poetry and desire to change the community at large by facilitating the bibliotherapy group “Loungin In Giovanni’s Room” at The Gay Men's Health Crisis where participants utilize poetry as a tool to face daily issues or concerns around sexuality. The group is open to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Straight people of all ages. Many have become poets or writers and have been featured at venues that BUTTA has hosted. He is truly one to watch and know.

As SPRING AWAKENINGS go, EASTER SUNDAY is not always a holiday that makes me feel rejuvenated. The loss of my Kodjoe on this very day (not the date) has conjured up sadness in the last two years since his passing. Still, these year, since the actual date of his death (March 27th) was so far removed from the holiday, I CHOSE to look at what is RISING AGAIN in my LIFE and in my SPIRIT.  On the heels of a rough EASTER-eve, I was awakened by my Anthony with the news that we were invited to an EASTER BRUNCH that our friend MELONY was throwing in downtown Manhattan, just next to where the World Trade Center Towers burned down on 9/11. I got dressed and we picked up some wine from a shop that is now Anthony's favorite, The Greene Grape (www.greenegrape.com/). From there, we headed up to meet MELONY and her friends Debbie and Jonna. Melony, Anthony's and my friend who I've referenced before in this blog: "DREAMS SEE US THROUGH TO FOREVER" (PART TWO) and "LOVE IS IN CONTROL (FINGER ON THE TRIGGER)" ) and Debbie are from South Africa. (Here, Anthony hugs Melony [left] and Debbie [right]. NOT TO MUCH, GIRLS... HE'S MINE! SMILE!): Debbie is a talented burst of energy who works in hospitality and tourism for South Africa (in New York City and all over the world). She too does great work around voice messages and helping people organize their lives via (www.debbiesvoice.com). In fact, she was instrumental in mediating a conflict between Anthony and me with LOVE, UNDERSTANDING, and BALANCE... and we had only just met her. THANKS DEBBIE! She and Melony created a lovely meal of South African delights, the names of which escape me. But one dish had mince meet (ground beef), eggs, milk, seasonings -- all baked in a casserole-style. It reminded me of what my dad sometimes makes with ground beef, scrambled eggs, onion, and peppers. He calls it FRICASSEE! Then, for dessert, we had a Malva Pudding, which put me in the mind of "carrot cake". My simple, southern taste buds adapted to something other than fried chicken and potato salad (especially for Easter).... and I enjoyed it. But more than the meal, we all came together as relative strangers except Anthony and me... and we BONDED with lovely sharing. The other guest JONNA is a talented artist here in New York City. You must check out her paintings at (www.jonnatwigg.com). Her sister CARRI, visiting from Columbus, Ohio, joined us as well. (Here, I'm pictured between them): We talked POLITICS, SEX, RELATIONSHIPS, ART, FASHION, ENTERTAINMENT, and even took some time to acknowledge the CONTEXT of the day as if JESUS ROSE, our LIVES were and are armoed to RISE as we all yearn for the lifting of the cold into a... SPRING AWAKENING! We are all confident we will get together again... and CELEBRATE LIFE, which I should add that Anthony and I had the chance to also do last Wednesday as we broke bread and toasted cocktails with our friends at N (the boutique in Harlem that carries so much of my favorite gear). (www.NHarlemNewYork.com). Owners Lenn, Larry, and Nikoa invited us to join them for the inaugural event for 2007. Belvedere Vodka was the sponsor of the evening and much of that was flowing. Since NO vodka agrees with me, I sipped otherwise. But I did enjoy meeting the multi-cultural initiatives event coordinator for parent company Moet-Hennessy USA, Jason Parker, who is responsible for hooking all of the flowing spirits up. Ginger (www.gingerexpress.com/) is where we enjoyed some of Anthony's birthday celebration last year and he again seemed to enjoy the cuisine - namely the "green rice". Additionally, it was great to see some folks who are doing awesome things in the industry - from Nia Flowers, publicist at The Apollo and Tracy Lynn Anderson, another publicist who has just completed work on Tamia's new project and is poised to celebrate her own birthday later this week (in Harlem, the invite says...). With the tease of spring and the ever-present reminder that winter is still here, the folks are beginning to come out as only we do in the spring. And SUMMERTIME will soon follow... 

I've decided to bullet some recent happenings in pop culture and inside of my reality. The last week and change has been filled with spontaneity, adventure, and fun. As Anthony and I acclimate to living under one roof, we too have had the luxury of being out and about in the city. We find ourselves running into all kinds of folks --- left and right, and gaining organic and inspired accesses that have us learning new things along the way. I'll "bullet" a few of those here:

* While dining at Isabella's Restaurant (www.nyc.com/restaurants/Isabellas_Restaurant.54131/editorial.aspx), Anthony and I happened to be seated next to Conan O'Brien. As we nibbled on peppercorn steaks and crabcakes, I couldn't stop looking over. Normally, if I have something pointed and profound to say, I will speak to a celebrity. I'm not usually starstruck. But I couldn't really think of anything to say without having what Tracee Ellis Ross recently called "the celebrity tick" when someone recognizes you and out of their mouth comes the first thing that comes to mind. In her case, they sometimes come up and yell: "DIANA ROSS!!!!". Though the 2nd eldest daughter of the legendary songstress (who recently celebrated her 63rd birthday) has a name, she acknowledges that sometimes people just don't know what to say. To avoid my "celebrity tick" with Conan, which might have been: "CONAN O'BRIEN!!!!!" (AWKWARD LAUGH), I continued to stare and stalk from the distance, kinda' like I do with Diana, though I have met her a time or eight.

* Meanwhile, Ross has been out and about lately in preps for her upcoming stateside and European tour. This past weekend, she escorted Muhammad Ali into his CELEBRITY FIGHT NIGHT XIII, after which she gave a showstopping performance under the musical direction of David Foster. Muhammad Ali honored Sharon Stone with the “Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award,” Donald Trump with the “Muhammad Ali Entrepreneur Award,” Steve Nash with the “Muhammad Ali Sports Achievement Award” and John Elway with the “Muhammad Ali Sports Legend Award.” This black tie event begins with cocktails and a silent auction with dinner, a live auction and entertainment on the back end of the evening. The Celebrity Fight Night Foundation established The Muhammad Ali Awards as a way to acknowledge leaders in the sports, entertainment and business communities who best represent the qualities associated with the Champ and his fight to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Each year dozens of celebrity guests attend the event that has raised more than $38 million dollars in twelve years.                                                     *Back to my reality, I took a meeting last week with Broadway newcomer Q Smith. This multi-talented woman with a mohawk and I met during Black History Month when I was asked to moderate a MTV panel on which she was a panelist. She says she was so impressed with how I asked my questions and engaged the participants and the audience, she wanted to pick my brain a little bit over coffee. This, before she went on stage to perform her matinee of "Les Miserables" (for which she is a "swing girl" - meaning there are eight women's roles she can play and understudies on any given day, depending on who is in and who is out. That's daunting and impressive, if you don't know) (www.lesmis.com/). Q is also a teaching artist and is currently  working on a book about the contributions of contemporary African American women to the art as well as the craft and business of theater. Check out her bio/background at www.qperstar.com. Afterwards, she took Anthony and me backstage at the The Broadhurst Theatre on West 44th Street (Btw. Broadway & Eighth Ave.). She gave us a comprehensive tour that led from the stage to backstage with the costumes to my good friend Norm Lewis' dressing room. Norm, who was also on that MTV panel where Q & I met, is Javert (and that morning had just performed with the cast for Rosie's birthday party on "The View"). With his rich baritone voice and charming smile, Lewis has become a favorite of critics and audiences alike, working steadily in New York for nearly a decade. Major credits include Side Show, Miss Saigon, Dessa Rose and Chicago. And he's getting ready to leave Les Mis to go on the road (stops including Denver over the summer) to star in "The Little Mermaid". Norm, who I met through actress friends Kimberly Jajuan and LaChanze, is the nicest guy you can know and when he saw who his surprise guest was (me), he was elated. He, Q, Anthony, and I fooled around backstage - shoptalking, watching public access TV (for laughs), and trying on some of his costumes (like the wig he placed on my head for laughs). It was an unexpected post-script to our afternoon that led to much delight and laughter. Thanks Q & Norm!!! 

* One of our other casual days that week, Anthony and I got the chance to preview the many new NIKE Athletic wear and footwear offerings for 2007. I met a young lady named Maggie Mahler in Chicago (at GLAMOURAMA, a Macy's- sponsored event I attended with Beyonce's "House of Dereon" as the featured designer). She's a friend of a friend. And she is a media relations manager for Nike.
During our private tour, we got a real sense of the method behind the magic of NIKE (www.nike.com). One thing you can all look forward to is the new NikeSportsTee. They are billing it as the World's Largest Sports Tee. And as I sit in my orange take-away of the shirt, I can assure you it's a good look and fit. Some of the other sightings that floated our boat included the athletic/casual footwear that Nike offers with the "story" of the Historically Black College or University, including colors and tints of Black Greek organizations. Also, there's a collection of Negro League Baseball Nike shoes, including the "white elephant" which is based on a Denver-based team about which Anthony was intrigued, given his Colorado roots. THANKS MAGGIE! We look forward to breaking bread with you.

* Meanwhile, last Friday, Anthony and I got the chance to hang out with our friend Melony. She's from South Africa and has become Anthony's and my collective "Amazing Grace" (best girlfriend). We met her at our friend Jabu's birthday party last November. Monica, one of Nichole's New Rochelle's neighbors, brought Melony that night. And she, Anthony, and I hit it off from our end of the long table back in November. Since that time, we've had the chance to hang out with her and find out that she is loads of fun and full of heart. In that it had been a minute since we all got together, we decided to create an evening of drinks at Opia (www.opiarestaurant.com/). Then, we met our Nichole on 58th and 1st Street at yet another Rosa Mexicana for margaritas and a hearty meal (www.rosamexicana).

* We enjoyed catching up with the girls before we graduated uptown to Harlem to hook up with my friend Greg Dunmore who was in town for an Aretha Franklin birthday party at "Tavern on the Green" where I understand 50 or so of The Queen of Soul's intimates celebrated her with great food, drinks, and entertainment (provided by none other than Ashford & Simpson, who reportedly called Freddie Jackson on stage for some collabo). It's always good to see Detroit-based Greg, who works with me closely on the National Association of Black Journalists' Arts & Entertainment Task Force. We met him at Pier 2110 (www.pier2110.com/) after he - on this night - saw "A Chorus Line". While at this Harlem-based seafood restaurant and bar, we ran into my good friend from the New York Association of Black Journalists Georgia Scott. Though I hadn't seen Georgia in a minute, she never fails to amuse me with her goings-on. By day, she is an associate art director at "The New York Times". By night and flight, she is an author ("Headwraps: A Global Journey" - PUBLIC AFFAIRS BOOKS [www.publicaffairsbooks.com]). She's also a cultural anthropologist. And she's a globetripper. As she hosted a friend from her St. Louis, MO high school, she told me she's hosting a T SALON at Chelsea Market (75 Ninth Avenue [at 15th Street]) on April 26th from 7 to 9 pm. It's $40 and includes dinner, specially selected tea, and the "Globetrippin Vacation Guide"). For more information or reservations, call 917/860-5629.

* After all the small talk and catching up, Anthony, Greg, and a friend of his (Jarvis), had to segue to Herve's birthday party. You'll recall, I met Herve at a screening of "Dreamgirls", but had an inkling he was someone about whom Greg had told me (after Herve shared he had done a New-Jersey production of "Dreamgirls"). It turns out (with little exchanged) that he was the person - in fact - that Greg had referenced. Additionally, it turns out Herve, the actor, is also an "organizer" or - as he would deem himself - "a space architect" (www.organizemenyc.com). But as he organizes people's spaces and places, he stays connected to the performer that is he. He just recently played the lead in a play by Lynn Nottage called "Intimate Apparel". He says it's a piece of writing that reminds him of "The Color Purple" or "Sula".  Also, in the "New York Living Magazine" (its recent issue on Harlem), you can read a story that features his point of view on Harlem along with other residents coupled with a cool picture. And his next stop is back into the studio with the producers of "The Miseducation of
Lauryn Hill"  for further production of his full album "The Seven Seeds of
Love". BUSY! CREATIVE! EXPRESSIVE! POWERFUL! HERVE! Though we missed the bulk of his set at his Harlem brownstone, we saw the many eclectic and exciting people as they left with smiles on their face (and a little disappointment that they were missing us as we came in). With that, we made our own after-set with Herve. He was a gracious host, despite his fatigue from having emptied his place of dozens of guests only to have four more come and not know how to go home. It's a laugh, thinking back. But it's also a good picture. SEE....?

* Meanwhile, I would like to shout out someone who has been really helpful to me over the last few weeks. I mentioned I was working on a Luther Vandross tribute for UneQ Magazine (www.UneQMagazine.com). It will come out this summer. In my quest for voices who may have known, I was led to a man named Terrance Russ. He's Chairman and President/CEO of
The Russ Group of Companies, a unit of 
New Origin Communications. He tells me he had been reading "A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RILEY" as a referral from an employee who thought he would find it informative,entertaining and enlightening. He says he did. Moreover, once we spoke, he thought and thinks there can be some synergy given the projects I work on (including this blog) and the many things he does. The parent company,New Origin Communications is a firm which manages and/or consult's NFL ,NBA player's,motion picture and music producer's as well as book author's. Late last year, he devopled the new media leg, The Russ Group of Companies. The companies starting projects are a series of music and film
/video ventures with "Uptown Magazine" (www.uptown-magazine.com/), the first being "Terrance Russ Presents Uptown: Music and Vision" series. There may be an opportunity for me to put my singing vocals on wax via this project, says Terrance. The other is "Looker", a music album companion disc, inspired by the novel of the same name and written by actor, playwright, motion
picture director Stanley Bennett Clay, who too is co- composer on a number of Ashford-and-Simpson songs that are to be included in the upcoming "Invisible Life" Broadway musical. Stanley Bennett Clay is one of the people who contributed his testimonial to my "Luther" piece.

* Also, R&B singer and actress Alyson Williams contributed. Terrance led her to me. She will be doing
some songs on the aforementioned "Terrance Russ Presents Uptown: Music and Vision" series. She too is currently starring in the musical " My Brother Marvin" produced by Marvin Gayes sister Viola Gaye and features vocalist /actor Keith Washington and directed by actor
Clifton Powell.  I talked to her about more than Luther and here's a little of what she shared with me:

"A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RILEY": I've had the opportunity to see you so many times over the years. You always give A+ performances... in the pocket! And you're always generous to include with anything that you're currently working on that song, "Just Call My Name" and it always makes us so happy.

"ALYSON WILLIAMS":         Thank you! You're kind!

"A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RILEY": You're also on the road working in "My Brother Marvin", portraying Marvin Gaye's mother. Correct?

"ALYSON WILLIAMS":    Yes! Alberta Gaye!

"A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RILEY": ... tell me about that project. There's a lot of buzz about it.

"ALYSON WILLIAMS":    We are in the middle of a tour right now. We did our trial run in December of '06 and started our tour in Philadelphia with a two-week extension. We are now in Memphis, TV. It is headed to New York City... and it is the story of Viola Gaye's brother (Marvin) through her eyes. And it touches on the family aspect. The backstory. It gives closure to a lot of the questions and puts an end to a lot of the rumors, since most people don't know what culminated that day (when he was killed by his father). It's unthinkable to think that someone can come to the end of their life at the hand of a parent. This lets us know what the dysfunction was, how it came to be, how it is something that had culminated over the years. It's headed to the New York/New Jersey area in May and the west coast too. We're looking to be on the road through June.

"A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RILEY":  As we think about who you are and what you've represented to this industry over these years, I remember reading some quote from you where you always wanted to approach your artistry from the music and not so much from trends. How easy could it be for a seasoned woman of your character to be an "ex-disco diva", if you chose. But you've always chosen with integrity and chosen for the music. How do you describe the brand that is Alyson Williams and the way that you want the industry and your fans to see you. What does that look like to you?

"ALYSON WILLIAMS":    Ever-evolving and consistent. I don't ever want to be an ex-anything. Something you don't want to be anymore. I want to be a newer version of or the best of whatever that is because there's always a demographic of people who want to bask in what they like. If "disco balls" are what they like, they should go and find all of that and turn the light on and let the light shine as possible. If it's "50s/doo-wop", they should go find that. If it's R&B and classic soul, they will go and find that. When they want a mixture of what is classic R&B & soul, jazz with a flair for the theatrics & cabaret, then they will come and find me, Alyson Williams.

Did you see my Diana on "American Idol" last week? What an EVENT! Her coaching with the kids was spot on and though some might deem her performance a little pitchy, she definitely demonstrated what it is to be a SUPERSTAR for any of the contestants who wish for longevity! Let's see them at 63, right? Well, so much has been said about the show(s), I'll just let it all speak for itself. But it's great to see La Ross back on the airwaves and to be exclaiming ENDLESS LOVE ("More Today Than Yesterday") and its healing message all over the world.

Meanwhile, LOVE was all around as MOMENTUM EDUCATION graduated its March BASIC class (www.momentumeducation.com), including my Anthony. As I've written in past entries, this life work has been such an integral part of my life since my late beloved Kodjoe introduced the work to me back in 2004. My Anthony, who has just moved here to the east coast to start his (and our) life anew, chose to take the course for power pieces on which he'd like to build. And on the heels of the four days, he says he experienced some breakthroughs that will allow him to take some BOLD stands for himself, his career, and us. It's powerful work. Tata joined us for the celebration as well as many of our Kodjoe scholars - including Yvette and D'Ambrose, who took many of these pictures. Afterwards, we went to Dos Caminos (www.brguestrestaurants.com/) to celebrate and to look forward to Anthony's next BOLD STEPS in his life. I STAND for him and each and everyone of his POSSIBILITIES. CONGRATS BOO! 

Last week, I also got the chance to spend some time with my good friend Michelle Hord and her fiance Neil G. White, who had a love-filled book party for his new tome of poetry "WORDED THOUGHTS" (iuniverse - www.iuniverse.com). It took place at Citrus Bar and Grill (www.citrusnyc.com/) on Amsterdam (across from Shark Bar). The picture above (with five people in it) includes a shot of Rodger (2nd from left), a friend of Michelle's who also did the MOMENTUM work this past weekend. Though she's not taken the work, Michelle was instrumental in getting Rodger into the class. Michelle and Kodjoe were best friends. He introduced the work to us both around the same time. Michelle recommended Rodger who signed up for the BASIC and ADVANCE back in 2004. Since that time, however, he had still not taken it. Now that he's poised to leave town and start a new life and career down south, he wanted to two years later fulfill this investment he'd made. Ironically, he did step one of the process in the same space as my Anthony. No coincidences! Meanwhile, as Rodger and Anthony were doing the work, Neil, whose book cover is designed by Rodger, was hosting a room full of love, music, and good food. Michelle has had a knack for throwing some great parties over the years. At those sets, all of her wonderful friends come together. As she is so busy these days with her career and planning the ultimate party - her wedding to Neil later this year, many in her crew haven't had the chance to be under the same roof in a while. It was so good to see everybody and to be gathered in the spirit of something new and exciting in the literary world. I'M SO PROUD OF MY FRIENDS who are out there BEING THEIR DIFFERENCE! It's EXCITING!Meanwhile, I am taking each day at a time. Two weeks since Anthony has moved in, things are going well. There are clearly adjustments, but we are identifying them as best we can and working through them. As the distinctions between 'my life' and 'the life of riley' go, I will likely not be going so far as to detail every play-by-play in our daily love life, but in testifying the breakthroughs and the moments that can inspire, I will share and keep you posted on what is working and not working and how we are managing to BE A STAND for each other... IN LOVE! That message, like MY DIANA and the love she expresses to the world - most recently demonstrated on "American Idol" - can never be said enough, shared enough, and experienced enough. NEVER TOO MUCH!  "Everyday's a new day. Every time I love you..."

 As I write this, "Lady Sings The Blues" and "Mahogany" are running on BET, inspiring REFLECTIONS of my last week. In fact, "Mahogany" has been a recurring theme, starting with the announcement that the movie is finally being released on DVD May 1st (http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?userid=99365458688776&item_id=741424&searchID=45839), the same day as "Dreamgirls" DVD release, which promises lots of goodies and the promise of another "15" viewings (given my "12" [READ: 15] Days of Dreamgirls" on the big screen). With this release, there's a special "Showstopper Edition," which is a two-disc DVD that will feature bonus material: 12 extended and alternate scenes including a DVD-exclusive, never-before-seen performance by Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson of 'Effie Sing My Song.'; a feature-length documentary entitled 'Building the Dream' presented in nine chapters; behind-the-scenes featurettes on the costume design, editing and lighting of the film; cast member auditions and screen tests; previsualization sequences; an image gallery including more than 1,000 photos; and on and on and on! [YES! I AM MORE THAN EXCITED!!!]. By the way, a single disc DVD version will also be available, featuring 12 extended and alternate scenes including the Jennifer Hudson performance and a music video directed by Condon for the chart-topping soundtrack single 'Listen.' And here's hoping "MAHOGANY" - like "LADY SINGS THE BLUES" - has many EXTRAs too!!!! BUT I DIGRESS....

BACK TO LAST MONDAY: On a day when I should have been prepping my place for my Anthony's arrival, I instead had my Merry Maids come and do the deed earlier in the day (www.merrymaids.com). That freed me to take a couple of meetings with my dear friend Michelle who reported all things promotions, engagements, and happiness. I'M THRILLED FOR HER. We did our typical Houston's lunch in NYC (www.houstons.com). Then, I met up with my friend Terry Wynn II for cheesecake, champagne, and espresso (www.cafelalo.com). There, we caught up on all things romantic, professional, and happiness.  My Morehouse brother Khalid picked me up from there to accompany me to the Millennium Broadway Hotel's Restaurant Charlotte (www.millenniumhotels.com) for a meet-and-greet with the cast of COLLEGE HILL 4, BET's answer to MTV's REAL

 WORLD.  

My friend and Spelman sister Tosha Whitten-Griggs and her colleague (and my dear friend) Zabrina Horton invited me to join them. Also, my friend Michael K. Watts attended. Basically, we ate from the restaurant's menu (great seafood and pastas) and enjoyed the company of this very sexy and charismatic cast of real-life characters, who attend the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas. The collective was comprised of four "stateside" students and four "Caribbean" students. We met (in no particular order): 

The "stateside" cast members: 

The "meet and greet" provided lots of racy and provocative conversation from the cast members - especially Vanessa and Idesha. I think these girls are going to be "trouble" on the show. They didn't give anything away (as they sign confidentiality agreements), but I guessed much of the tension that MUST have been in the house during the six weeks they all lived together. And the twist of having the home split in half -- Americans to Caribbeans -- only added to the drama, I gleaned from the dynamics of the girls and guys during dinner. Afterwards, Khalid and I enjoyed some post-set cocktails and conversation with Willie and J.T., the two male American housemates.

These guys are the ones to watch. J.T. wraps and does comedy. Willie is an actor -- most comedic in tone. And above all, they are the nicest guys you could know. And apparently, there way is registering with the viewers. COLLEGE HILL 4's special one hour debut with two back-to-back episodes from the next night is now the most watched episodes in the series’ history on BET. Produced by Edmonds Entertainment and BET, COLLEGE HILL 4 surpassed last season’s premiere night ratings success garnering a 1.4 BET coverage rating during the 10 p.m. ET/PT debut hour (1.2 million households and 1.6 million total viewers), according to Nielsen Media Research. COLLEGE HILL 4 can be seen Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT on BET. Viewers can catch the first two episodes of COLLEGE HILL 4 during a special encore broadcast of episode one and two on Saturday March, 10th at 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, Sunday March, 11th at 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT and Tuesday, March 13th at 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET/PT respectively. In addition, a marathon of the first four episodes will air on Saturday, March 24th from 12-2p.m. ET/PT.

The next day "... I got my ol' man back..." and the opportunity to start my life anew with Anthony. He moved from Denver to be with me, but to couple this love passion move with BIG life passion steps towards transforming his career into what he feels it should be. It promises to be an awesome adventure for him and us. However, we decided - since I was on a break from some of my busy work and travels - that we would enjoy this week socially and recreationally as we do our monthlies (with the intent of designing a schedule and way in which we will co-exist for the long-haul later). With that, as soon as he landed, we did a quick change and came to BET's "Rip The Runway", the yearly fashion show that BET puts on with hot music acts and fresh, cutting-edge designers. This year's show - hosted by Chris Brown and Ciara - took place at Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center Studios. Acts like Musiq Soulchild and rapper Lloyd performed as models (like Tocarra, Delicious [from "Flava of Love"], and others) walked the catwalk. Meanwhile, many VIPs and those who should have been inside (like me) were held up by the most unorganized, red-carpet scene I've experienced. Many players with the network and/or the show couldn't have been any less helpful to people who were clear they had tickets awaiting them at press check-in or will-call. Bouncers and security did nothing to sooth the freezing crowds. And as I observed friends I knew who were designers, press people, and even Tocarra (a model in the show) having hard times getting pass the uninformed authorities, I knew that there must be a better way to put on a production. Last I checked, it was not the Oscars or the Grammys. It was a well-intentioned evening of fashion and music to which people were invited and advised accordingly. And yet, there were no mechanisms in place as they had been advised. Quite frustrating. Fortunately - for Anthony and me - my friends Tosha and Zabrina showed up (with the cast of College Hill 4 in tow) and we were gestured in with them. When the kids from College Hill 4 saw me, they rushed out of their limo to give me a hug. Because I had bonded with them so the night prior, they too recevied Anthony warmly as they were excited to meet him.

["BLACK FOLKS DON' COME UP" (PPU) ]. Leslie Lewis Sword brings to life the true story of Immaculee Ilibagiza, a Messenger of Hope. Immaculee survived the 1994 Rwandan genocied - including the brutal murder of her own family - emerging as an international voice for peace and forgiveness. Co-created and directed by Edward Vilga, "Miracle in Rwanda" is a one-woman show performed and written by Leslie, who is daughter of the late, great billionaire Reginald Lewis. Leslie's mother and Carl co-hosted a dinner to introduce the news that this production, which did a sold-out, weekend run in Naples, Florida earlier this year, is coming to New York City.

They gathered tastemakers like Tony-award-winning choreographer George Faison (one of my favorite people); UPTOWN Magazine's Associate Publisher Jocelyn Taylor; Anthony, and me at the Lewis' New York City home, which sets on 5th Avenue overlooking Central Park. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING VIEWS!! Also, the original art that is all over the walls in each room in the bi-level, seven-bedroom home were also breathtaking. And from Romare Bearden to Picasso to Jacob Lawrence, we were all quite impressed with the collection, especially my Anthony who is an art afficionado.

We all committed to support the coming of this show, which is scheduled to run from April 5 - 29, 2007 at the Ohio Theatre (66 Wooster Street, SOHO NYC - between Spring and Broome). Tickets are available at 212/868-4444. A portion of all ticket sales are donated to "Left to Tell", a non-profit organization that benefits Rwandan Orphans. (Leslie, by the way, adopted two Rwandan children that she and her husband are currently raising).  On the 13th Anniversary of Genocied in Rwanda, a special Q&A with Immaculee is scheduled for Friday, April 6th. And a gala fundraiser around this event is scheduled for Friday, April 13th. Click on (www.MiracleInRwanda.com) to find out more, including a segment from CBS 60 Minutes that tells Immaculee's story.

death, births, and love.

Stephanie is dating a great guy named Jeff, who she wanted all of us to meet on this night.

Anthony was one-day into being my live-in partner and - VOILA! - "the pentav is complete!". I had a great time meeting Jeff and Stephanie loved having a chance to see Anthony in the flesh (She's seen many pictures). And some of our other mutual friends were also in attendance - like ESPN's Galen Gordon, who brought a college friend of his Adrienne Phillips with him.

She now is working for Kimora Lee Simmons' new company KLS (www.kls.com/) and was gracious to take Anthony, Khalid, and me to dinner with Galen, of course. We dined at Maroon's (maroonsnyc.com/) and learned a lot about Adrienne. Galen and I have known each other for a long time via our respective careers, but it was nice to get to know him better. I also stumbled into one of my favorite people Tony Shellman, founder of PARISH clothing line. He and his business partner Chaka Wilson invited Anthony and me to their new show/workspace the following day to check out the inventory and identify some pieces we could wear that will help get the word out.

On Thursday, Anthony and I did a little shopping after which we joined my Nichole, Marlynn, Jason, Marquise, Frankie, Lee, and many others I love, who came out to share the SUCCESS that is the thread of the classic film "MAHOGANY", which for one-night-only was screening at Chelsea Clearview Cinemas.

We decided to meet up at BBQ for wings and fixins before heading over to what was a packed, sold-out theater. Everyone wanted the chance to see this cult and camp and commercial classic on the big screen again. Personality Hedda Lettuce did a great pre-show of giveaways and great jokes. Meanwhile, we got there so late (though we had our tickets since earlier in the week), they had to bring fold-out, church chairs for us. They placed them in the handicap section and that was where we enjoyed the film. It was great to watch it in a theater with an enthusiastic audience which oohed, aaahed, clapped, laughed, and sang in all the right places. But most importantly, given the movie's most well-known line (of many) from Billy Dee's character Brian to Diana Ross' Tracey Chambers: "SUCCESS IS NOTHING WITHOUT SOMEONE YOU LOVE TO SHARE IT WITH...", how appropriate was it that all of my friends gathered to join Anthony and me - on this week in particular - as we begin to SHARE our SUCCESS with one another inside of our LOVE for each other. KISMET, I say! KISMET!!!!! Afterwards, Anthony and I met up with a friend of his who was visiting New York City from North Carolina. His name is Chris.

Over the last three days, we've been entertaining him throughout New York - from events that were already on our calendar, like my friend Dexter's birthday party that his partner Anthony threw for him in Brooklyn to some of the great social scenes in The Village.  On Friday night at Dayo (Anthony's favorite spot for Sunday brunch), we ran into my friend Theo who when we met asked me to dictate the lines from "Mahogany" to him as he wrote them on the paper tabletop cover. He then tore it off and took it home for reference.

As the weekend progressed, I got to see some of my other friends more than once.  

My Frankie and our favorite couple Jason and Marqise were at a party called PLUM that runs every second Saturday of every month in Washington Heights. It's always good to see them.

And as the week comes to a close (and I sit here and reflect) on its contents... but also as I look ahead at a POWERFUL week Anthony and I will be creating without evidence or a play-by-play manual for how it all is going to work, I am not surprised at the thread (pardon the pun) "MAHOGANY" has been this week - from the SUCCESS bit to the shopping to Theo's healthy obsession (like mine) with the film to its DVD RELEASE announcement to the "ride ahead" that may take on the speed of Mahogany and Sean McAvoy as he accelerates the porsche to his death. "SUCCESS (is truly) NOTHING WITHOUT SOMEONE YOU LOVE TO SHARE IT WITH". And I have a lot of it going around!

I met Maurice Marable when he was in 9th grade and I was in 8th grade. He - like me - was an Air Force brat and his Valdosta-native parents decided to retire in Savannah, which is the childhood home of my parents, who decided to do the same thing after my dad's 27 years of service. Initially, we didn't hit it off. Perhaps we were too much alike as well-traveled "black boys" who weren't exactly like our peers who were born and bred in Savannah. Eventually, we'd realize our commonalities were worth aligning and we'd be a support for each other that would transcend many of the shortcomings that Savannah (and society at-large) can sometimes project on black men. For example, Maurice is responsible for me getting my first job. Quite simply, on a day where most of our friends were looking for jobs at the mall, I decided to join Maurice at Baskin-Robbins where he was going to pick up his check. I ended up engaging his boss, the owner Rodney (who some might deem a "red neck"), in some non-descript chat about politics and such, and Rodney --- impressed perhaps because my subjects agreed with my verbs without a southern twang (like Maurice) --- offered me a job on the spot. I wasn't really looking, but checked in with my parents and accepted. I would join the 'ice scream scooping' team and go on to win the SMASH AWARD ("Sell More and Sell High"). No one could convince a customer to go for the triple scoop (or maybe even a quart of ice cream) like me. During these times, Maurice and I would talk about our futures and our lives with pop culture usually at the fore of most of our conversations. We admired Spike Lee and lived for "The Cosby Show" and though there were no mentors in front of us, who gave us the sense that this world could be our reality, we somehow believed --- without a sense of the mechanism --- that it could be.  

After graduation (a year before me), Maurice would go on to study Accounting in college. Admittedly, he was playing it safe. Not happy about the major, but afraid to confess his "dream" of writing for film and TV to his dad, he instead found a way to escape the doldrums of bean counting and please his father at the same time. Maurice joined the Air Force. During this time, Maurice reminds me that I was on the journey. I said I wanted to do news and by my senior year in high school, I was working at the local TV station as the teleprompter. I said I wanted to perform, I was singing and acting in many student productions, honing my craft. Maurice, on the other hand, ended up in Iraq in The Gulf War. I remember he'd send poems that would describe what he was seeing, but also what he was "dreaming" for his life. As I pursued my "dream" at Morehouse, Maurice says he became all-the-more convinced that if he made it back, he must begin the work of making his dreams come true.

As I was two years into my matriculation at Morehouse, Maurice came to Atlanta to study Film at Georgia State. We spent lots of time hanging out. I even starred in a couple of Maurice's student films. He hung out in my mass communications department, which was housed at Clark Atlanta University. And we collaborated and networked often. As I began my career in Atlanta at WSB-TV and FOX 5's "Good Day Atlanta", I would stumble across many opportunities that allowed us to elevate our respective games. I remember when Spike Lee announced he was coming to Atlanta to executive produce a joint called "Drop Squad". We all jumped aboard to be a part. Though I got the opportunity to do a walk-on role in the film (and to interview Spike and the players for "Good Day"), Maurice walked on the set and impressed the hell out of the New York City-based producers on the project. They loved him so much, they asked him to drive a truck of equipment back to New York City... and he never looked back.

Though Maurice argues I was like a "mentor" (even though I was a year younger) in that I went for mine, he became my "mentor" because he made it to the Big Apple first. However, a year later, I could call it home too. And he and I would continue to have "synergy" around our careers. His wife, Tracey Moore- Marable, is a casting director, acting coach, and director as well. She would take to me and through the bond that is Maurice/Patrick, she would give me opportunities to act and do on-camera voice/ personality work for projects like HBO's "Cosmic Slop", "New York Undercover", and Faith Evans' "You Used To Love Me". At a point where I decided to leave my fulltime gig at CNBC, Maurice made it possible for me to interview celebrities and produce entertainment projects for HBO, a gig he impressively landed that led to his working as a top-flight creative director of on-air promos for original programming. He did this before launching his directing career, which boasts credits like "The Dave Chapelle Show", "Six Feet Under", "The Dennis Miller Show", and BET.com to name a few. He has also directed the opening of the hit show "Entourage", a promo for the drama "Carnivale", and the "Grocery" promo for "Six Feet Under". Maurice was also nominateed for an Emmy  for the opening sequence of "Big Love" in 2006.

Along with Warrington Hudlin ("House Party" & "Boomerang"); Elaine Brown (HBO); and Maria Perez ("Gullah Gullah Island"), Maurice sat on a panel "Pioneers of Progress: Empowering and Inspiring a Generation Through Film". My friend Michael K. Watts hipped me to the panel. Since my schedule allowed, I just had to attend to surprise Maurice. Over these years of late, we see each other rarely. My work keeps me on the road (as "A Day In The Life of Riley..." chronicles). His work coupled with raising two kids keeps him busy as well. But when we get together, we just pick our friendship right on up and step right into the roles that have sustained our friendship for 23 years. When Maurice saw me, he received me warmly with a big hug. And during his time on the panel, he shouted me out. I got a kick out of how many people in the audience wanted to talk to me because they knew "... I knew Maurice when...". He took my friend Khalid and me to SOHO House (www.sohohouse.com/) for appetizers and cocktails. There, we reminisced on our days in Savannah and how far we've come. We caught up on the joys and struggles that continue in our respective families. We took some time to talk about what's going on in our current lives before calling it a night. We promise to see each other very soon. It may not happen until late this year. Maybe this month, since his birthday is coming up. I have joined him for many of his birthdays over the last ten years. Or maybe in November, which is my birthday. He joined a host of friends and me in 2005 to celebrate that special day. My point? We don't talk everyday nor do we have to. Our bond doesn't require it. And yet, our bond is one that weaves, amplifies, and celebrates his success and my success... wirelessly...