A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

WITH MISS ROSS' new release "I LOVE YOU" coming out on January 16th, I share a couple of TESTIFY/PATRICK'S POP UP(DATES) from the vaults to get us all in the mood.

DIANA ROSS IN CONCERT
LOCATION: ROGER SHERMAN BALDWIN PARK (Greenwich, CT)
* 1st stateside show since July 23, 2002
* FREE (with patron tix sold from $250 to $1,000 - all proceeds benefitting the ARCH STREET TEEN CENTER)

BACKGROUND:
One week ago, Greenwich, CT resident Diana Ross called Arch Street teen center Executive Director Kyle Silver to see if he would be interested in her giving a free concert in the adjacent Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. Her sons, Evan (16) and Ross (17) are active members of the nonprofit organization that promotes a drug-and alcohol-free environment for high-school age teens to socialize and take on active roles in the community. Since the town's high school graduation was scheduled for the following Thursday, Diana felt this proposed show would be a great way to celebrate and kick off summer for Greenwich and its residents.

This committment made in Diana's Belle Haven mansion last week echoed the vocal strains of "I'm Coming Out", crescending from her dressing room trailer in July of 1983, when she began day two of her legendary  Central Park Concert, which too was free. Prior to belting out that show opener, Ross yelled "IT'S A NEW DAY!!!!" since it rained on her first-attempt the day prior. And since the diva has metaporically seen her share of dark nights over the last couple of years, it's awesome to know she's returning to the light of the stage, one place where she will  belong eternally (... but for now, this is a one-night-only gig). And though we know she's a native daughter from Detroit's Brewster Projects, how appropriate that she's choosing the understated opulence of Greenwich, her home for the last twenty years, to come back to us.

FAST FORWARD just one week and organizers have combed through logistics (including town permits; patron ticket sales [proceeds which will benefit Arch Street]; managing phone calls; staging; etc.). And what's left? The highly anticipated show:

(DRUMROLL..................................)

SHOWTIME:

It's about 8:30 pm. More than 4,000 people of all ages are facing the stage shell beneath which Diana will soon stand. Her youngest son, Evan, can be seen floating through the crowd. His older brother, Ross, 17, is hanging out with some friends on the side of the seated audience. I see Diana's first husband Bob Silberstein there for support. And I think that's Rhonda Ross over there. She's the oldest of Ross' offspring. No Tracee. No Chudney. The band is in place and the teen center's executive director is thanking folks and without ado, he's introducing...  Miss Diana Ross.

From my front-row seat (overlooking the Long Island Sound), I can see a bit of her behind the stage. She's draped in a coat of pink and orange feathers, which will later reveal a strapless, pink gown with sheer skirt of many layers. As the band overtures with the intro to her huge '80s hit "I'm Coming Out", Diana slightly trips onto the stage, an unintentional ritual that can always spark a little giggle from her and her fans.

But this is no sloppy chick or show. With ease and aplomb, she goes through a now obligatory "Chain Reaction" followed by her sassy, sexy, and jazzy reading of "Touch Me In The Morning". She is in great voice and looks spectacular (not a day over 60 [READ: 38]). Her mane says "I'm a Lion". But not a "Mean Ol' One". In fact, she's not mad at anything as she unleashes what seems a freshly-polished, 88-key smile on the enthusiastic crowd.

Only her repertoire from the "good ol' days" gives away her age. She works her way through several full-length Supremes songs from the 1960s - starting with "My World Is Empty Without You", "You Can't Hurry Love", "Where Did Our Love Go?", "Baby Love", and "Stop! In The Name Of Love". As she states, "It's been a long time since I've performed...". To that end, we forgive her periodic peek-a-boos at the teleprompter that sets below her at the edge of the stage right next to her sound monitors.

What might be perceived as a moment to change clothes ends up being her "proud moment of the night". She calls her youngest son, Evan up to the stage to perform Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed". Big sister Rhonda is coaching him through a sometimes pitchy, but otherwise impressive interpretation. Her husband, jazz pianist Rodney Kendricks, is the accompanist. Mother Diana stands behind Evan - reading her copy of the sheet music to make sure everything is flowing smoothly. It does... and we reward Evan with a standing ovation.

We love you, Evan... but bring Mama back to the spotlight. When she re-emerges stage center, she breaks out with another of her slamming '80s hits, "Mirror, Mirror". The funky guitar interlude provides her the opportunity to change into her next ensemble. From pale pink to a tiered red and fuschia number that covers her as if Diana is a rose in bloom. Through "Reflections" she's just that, but on "Love Child", she drops the fabric to reveal a strapless, sequined bodice and a train that allows her the room to do a "flamenco"-style number on the breakdown of the '60s hit. The stomping two-step shows us that Miss Ross still has the moves (or is she channeling the days in the Brewster Projects when perhaps she may have been stomping a cockroach or two?). Regardless, she's fabulous and this show couldn't be any better.

Maybe it could be, if she would call me on stage to dance with her, after she gets rid of the gown's fabric to just reveal a micro-mini number with high-heeled, metallic stacks that showcase her legs quite splendidly.  She is jamming to disco classic "Upside Down" and my knees turn to butter when she signals for me to come up. I make it through the velvet rope, up the three steps, and am met with a Diana who is quite enthusiastic about my pants. She says "Look at those pants. Those are great!  Wow!". Pointedly, I am wearing white-linen drawstrings with red hand-painted brush strokes for Miss Ross as she has admired my sometimes vibrant choice of pants over the years. (She also used to have a jones for New Edition's "jackets".) So, my mission is accomplished here, but I still have to dance. I channel the moves that she and Michael Jackson did together on the Jackson 5's "Feelin' Alright', which they performed on her first solo TV special. Diana is feeling "more than alright" and we are grooving as one. The moment goes on for what seems like forever (likely just a minute). Eventually, Diana stretches out her arms to give me a hug. She then kisses my cheek. I reciprocate and then squeeze her shoulders one last time in gratitude and awe. She gestures me off the stage. She thanks me. I thank her. And somehow I make it back to my seat, which is just three steps away.

I can die and go to heaven at this point, but thank goodness I don't because she begins to sing arguably my favorite Diana song, which she's not done in her line-up for some years. The song is "The Boss" and she sings it with the same vigor and va-voom of the '79 classic recording produced by Ashford and Simpson.

On the heels of those highs, Diana takes it down a thousand (and changes into a simple white gown covered in silver and gold applique). She doesn't want to bring the energy down, given the occassion, but she knows she must bring us Billie, as in Holliday, the legendary singer she portrays to Oscar-nominated effect in "Lady Sings The Blues". "Fine and Mellow" is sassy and vulnerable. But "Don't Explain" is just haunting and filled with a pain that Diana is perhaps living to interpret so honestly and vulnerably. Her virtuosoes are also allowed some vamp time during this set. HOT BAND!

She brings the crowd back on its feet with 50s remake "Why Do Fools Fall In Love?" followed by "Do You Know Where You're Going To? (Theme from 'Mahogany')", which segues into "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". And we believe her. Not only that, as the audience is on its feet, it's as if they are saying "Nothing Can Keep Us From You, Diana". This, since many have traveled from as far as the U-K and the West Coast to survey Diana's triumphant and generous return to the stage. And others have spent between $250 and $1,000. Ain't No Mountain (or ticket sales) high enough to see Diana Ross, apparently...

And with THANKS, she sings "Endless Love" (after another costume change into a lime green, sequined gown). She curiously asks the crowd if it remembers this song. That standard query is usually thought to be a rhetorical, but Diana needs reinforcement. With applause and cheers, the audience assures her they haven't forgotten one song or her. Convinced, she continues to sing for the fans and her two little boys to whom she blows kisses during this, the biggest hit of her career.

An expected encore of "I Will Survive" places us on our feet and allows Diana the chance to show some fierce grit on some of those lines. As she belts this one out (eventually bringing out the red pant suit and tennis shoes), you get the sense that not only will she REALLY survive, but "(she) Ain't Been Licked, y'all".

And she reminds us of that at the post-show meet-and-greet. She looks great - even without the stage lights. She poses and signs autographs, and really allows us to be all up in her grill. Though she and the band will perform at a "private party" tomorrow night to be held at Caesar's Atlantic City for high-rollers, Diana hints that she may be doing even more work sometime soon, but no dates or promises. If tonight's show is a gauge, it will surely be worth the wait.

The year is winding down and I'm back home in Jersey from having been on a tour of 'my families' in Atlanta and Savannah. I'm basking a bit inside of my 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (and closing in on my 12 DAYS OF DREAMGIRLS). I'll share here the highlights from my last week and change.

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS:  In my last entry, I referenced my wonderful interview with multi-talented director J. Maurice Jamal for the re-designed and upcoming issue of ROCKSTAR Magazine (formerly "Ballroom Rockstar" Magazine, which featured me in its debut issue earlier this year). His film "DIRTY LAUNDRY" (starring Loretta Devine, Rockmond Dunbar, Jennifer Lewis, etc. www.dirtylaundrythemovie.com) features Dunbar in the role of "Patrick", a man with southern roots who has relocated to New York City to unleash a "new" life his folks at home don't know about. Not EXACTLY my story, but so many of the nuances are ripped from the pages of my own life. And I look forward to telling you all when and how you can see this great film. Meanwhile, see a pic or two from our interview.  

ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS: I made my way to Atlanta on Thursday morning, after my all-night social marathon in the city. My 19-year-old cousin Floyd picked me up and was my stellar driver/assistant/traveling companion for the next couple of days that I spent in Atlanta. First things first, I got the chance to begin my checklist of restaurants that I must do before I go back north. Nothing special in the way of five-star dining, but they are the kind of places that brought me comfort as a child (and help me to remember how simple and sweet things were in the past). We did cafeteria-style Picadilly first. From fried chicken to mashed potatoes and gravy to corn to Mexican cornbread to devil's food cake, I brought myself right back to what is so right about these cafeterias that are so popular in the south. But my SWEET TEA (which isn't as readily available in the north) was just what the doctor ordered for my holiday blues.

ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS: I got the chance to spend time with my sister and her husband in their new home in the Greater Atlanta area. Additionally, she, Floyd, and I did lots of last-minute shopping at a few malls (including my sister's and my annual tradition of her buying and me selecting my Christmas sweater in the wake of some ugly-sweater years of old). We also did Wal-Mart along with a lovely meal at a spot called "ARIZONA's". Here, my sister and Floyd pose after we enjoyed a meal of rib-eye steak, jalapenio grits, etc. And since eating is what we do, I got the chance to experience - for the first time - seafood restaurant Pappadeux which I'd heard lots about over the years. Finally, with my sister's fellow church members in tow, I got the chance to experience it. Floyd was there too with his mother Barbara. Over crabcakes, frog legs, and a number of other low-country delicacies, we had a great time.

ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS: It was actually the same day as our PAPPADEUX meal, we enjoyed "PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS" starring Will Smith and his son Jaden. We really enjoyed it. Will did a nice job, but his son stole the movie with excellent choices in his scenes. He's - for sure - one to watch.

ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS: On Saturday and Sunday (Christmas Eve), I got to enjoy wonderful breakfast at a place my Chandra works as a hostess on the weekends. She is another of my best friends since the college years in Atlanta and all the way through my years in New York City where we both worked. She's always inspired me in my career as she made daring leaps to design her "lives" as an advertising media planner turned publicist's assistant turned publicist for well-known brands like Warner Brothers, VIBE, and FUBU. From there, she came back to Atlanta to care for her mother alongside studying design towards her next career shift. Meanwhile, she's doing real estate. And through all of that, I've made my own daring leaps in my career (not half as risky as she) and we've continued to support each other. Perhaps one of my biggest smiles over my time down in Georgia came from her as I simply sat at the counter to eat my breakfast as she popped back-and-forth between her work and me. I LOVE MY CHANDRA and wish we had spent more time together. I too stumbled into familiar folks as happens when I'm back in Atlanta and Savannah. In an ironic twist of fate, I saw my old Atlanta pastor and his wife Apostle and St. Thompson (who now live in Charlotte). This, after I greeted my Chandra as we always have for our sixteen years of knowing each other --- JACK-AND-KAREN-style (from WILL & GRACE) with a hyper-sexual hump and tug. Imagine my embarassment. But I stood in it and greeted them warmly as I came to find out that their son, who I had never met, reached out to me via e-mail earlier in the week about a contact he was hoping to secure through me. To take the story a step further, their son, Adrian Dana, later joined them here at the restaurant. So, we got to meet each other and I got to learn more about his hat business. He's a milliner (www.church-hats.com) who has already landed some lofty contracts, like Tyler Perry's "Madea's Family Reunion" for which he did all of the hats in its wedding scene. CONGRATS! Meanwhile, the next day, a couple of Morehouse men (Class of '97) came up to me, recognizing me from the feature that the Morehouse Alumnus magazine did on me this month. They were nice guys and it was an appreciated shout out.

ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS: I got the chance to participate in a roundtable of positive and powerful black gay men at popular Atlanta coffee shop "Java-ology". Excerpts of the content from the recorded chat (moderated by my friend Gil Robertson) will be published in CLIK magazine's Feburary issue. I'll tell you more as I know more, but let me just say the chat was nothing short of therapeutic as we spent that couple of hours. Gil and my other friends Mashaun Simon, who is the NABJ Student Representative (Board Member) and Michael K. Watts (along with four-to-five others) really helped to ground me as I prepared to journey from Atlanta to my childhood home of Savannah, which - for me - still carries a lot of stuff around that issue. We - firstly - looked at the plight of AIDS in our community (which stems from Gil's book "Not in My Family: AIDS in the African American Community", which I referenced in a previous entry). But beyond that discussion, we went even deeper to explore relationships, intimacy, family acceptance, etc.   

 ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS: In three hours, I drove my sister and her husband the whole three-and-a-half hours it takes to get from Atlanta to Savannah. Once we arrived, we pulled up to our childhood home to see evidence of what we had heard from other family members and friends who had passed the house over the last few months. It seems Dad and his wife are selling the house. Though it was never a discussion, it seems they are choosing to have a new space that is their own since this is the home in which we all stayed with our mother who passed away in 1994. Clearly, no explanation is required from either of them as they begin this new chapter. It makes my siblings and me a bit sad, but everything must change. And this change has been a long time coming as last year my childhood room was turned into an office and I now sleep on a couch in a drafty den. Nostalgically, for me, there are still symbols of my teen years on the walls - from my Madonna "Borderline" 45-cover/poster, Prince's "When Doves Cry" poster, Diana pull-out from the 1986 "American Music Awards" (from "Black Beat"), and some Windsor Forest High School spirit ribbons. To "choose" perhaps what I am - in my heart - resisting, repressing, and maybe even denying, I got my Dad and his wife a gift of a WELCOME mat to somehow begin my work and healing towards this reality that one more huge change is about to unfold and I must "choose" it (even from my far-removed distance) above the line. It's hard though.

ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS: On Christmas morning, my sister, her husband, our dad, and his wife took some time to do the traditional gift-opening bit. In addition to the WELCOME mat, I gave other gifts that I hope they will find helpful. We got our traditional gift basket from them - chockful of goodies that will allow us to have smooth skin and smell good. My favorites this year included the "Naturals" products - from the facial cleaning soap to the moisturizing cream. But the fun came from seeing my best friend Natalie, her husband Dwayne and their two daughters, Lydia and Hannah - the cutest pair of "Cheetah Girls" you'll ever see. They came by my Dad's house, so I could give them their gifts. And they were really grateful.

ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS: My family became a part of my 12 DAYS OF DREAMGIRLS campaign. On CHRISTMAS night, after multiple CHRISTMAS dinners between my dad's side of the family and my mom's side of the family, 23 FAMILY MEMBERS (from mom's side) gathered at the REGAL theater for "DREAMGIRLS". I have to say having seen it eight times before that in New York City and Chicago, the Savannah audiences were a little meek. Still, most of my folks enjoyed the movie immensely (except for the few who wondered why there was so much singing in the film). I guess the fact that it's a MUSICAL was lost on some. Then, the next day, Ern (who joined me for one of the Ziegfeld screenings in New York City), his sister Niecy, her daughter Taylor, and I did a matinee in Savannah of "DREAMGIRLS". Still a limp audience, but the folks say they enjoyed it. Not everybody has to give standing ovations to the big screen the way that I had been experiencing in earlier, more enthusiastic screenings. However folks choose to enjoy "DREAMGIRLS" is all good.  

ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS: My family and I didn't stop with the "DREAMGIRLS". The next day, we all gathered for BOWLING, left-overs at cousin Felicia's place, and GUESSTURES! At the bowling alley, we cast everybody as a character from "DREAMGIRLS" and had a hoot of a good time with that. I was JAMES "THUNDER" EARLY (EDDIE MURPHY's character) and I gave lots of pelvic thrusts and yelps after my spares and strikes. This, of course, was the day after we all found out about the death of JAMES BROWN who is one of the composites folded into this EARLY character. So, that was special. And we laughed so much in the course of that day - from bad bowling, folks falling, and the GUESSTURES just took the laughter over-the-top as some cousins just couldn't control their mouth and though the rules are you can't "speak", some just felt they had to. ("Don't you see what I'm trying to do down here [with my gesture]....????", one cousin exclaimed. That's a disqualifier, if I've ever heard one. BUT HILARIOUS!!!).

ON THE 11TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS: I  made it back to Atlanta on Wednesday night in time to hang out with my dear friend and protege Chris. He is a former journalist from Tennessee (Nashville was his last post...). But now he is studying at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), which is a part of the consortium Atlanta University Center which includes Morehouse, Spelman, and Clark Atlanta University. I'm so proud of Chris and the choices he is continuing to make in the way of designing his life and career. I'm even more excited to have met his friends Jamil and Janice, who too are ITC students and good, positive people for Chris to be around as he shifts the trajectory of his brand.  And how glad was I when all of them agreed to support my "12 DAYS OF DREAMGIRLS" campaign. After we enjoyed dessert, champagne, and other cocktails at CAFE INTERMEZZO, we went to Atlantic Station for an after-midnight run of "DREAMGIRLS", which Chris and Janice hadn't seen. Jamil had just seen it (and I had seen it 10 times). So, we ALL had a great time. After the movie, Chris and I did an all-nighter at WAFFLE HOUSE, discussing life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. We always have a good time together and lots to talk about. This time was no exception. And I look forward to watching Chris' growth in 2007 as I too look forward to more good times and sharing. MUCH LOVE, CHRIS!

ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS:

I had a lovely last supper at HOUSTON's in Atlanta (Ashford-Dunwoody) with my sister and managed to get back home to Jersey in one piece. Through all of the aforementioned, I was missing my boo Anthony who - as of this writing - is on a plane coming to New York City to ring out 2006 and ring in 2007 with me. It's been a year and a month now that we have been together (from the long distance) and though we've managed many of the challenges, I missed him something terrible over the holiday. It will be nice to reconnect joyfully through this weekend and look at what our next days will bring us. He too has committed to join me for my 12TH DAY OF DREAMGIRLS, the final screening that we will be able to experience together (since we didn't get the chance to sit next to each other at the Ziegfeld opening night). So, there will be a little to report --- perhaps - come the New Year on the weekend. Meanwhile, BE BLESSED and HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! 

Though I still had to fulfill an assignment that required I focus on writing and producing a TV segment, I was doing little sleeping (meaning no dreaming) in anticipation of this past weekend. On Friday, December 15th, New York City's Ziegfeld Theater was getting ready to unleash "DREAMGIRLS" on its most enthusiastic fans ten days before its national release (Christmas Day) and I would get the opportunity to see my 4th, 5th, and 6th installment of "DREAMGIRLS" en route to my "12 DAYS OF DREAMGIRLS" challenge. Also, after a year of constant chat about "DREAMGIRLS" and a weekend getaway back in February when my boyfriend Anthony came from across the miles to take me to see the Prince Street Theater's performance of "Dreamgirls" in Philadelphia, he managed to set up some New York City-based interviews around a piece he's producing on the movie. Unfortunately, the opening night of "DREAMGIRLS" at the Ziegfeld was sold out (as was Saturday and Sunday). But Anthony would have to leave New York to go back to Denver on Saturday morning. So, we'd have to work magic to get him into that screening as there were no set-asides and p.r. lists for these particular screenings.

First things first, though, Anthony came to town and put us both up at - where else? - a boutique hotel in midtown Manhattan called "DREAM". Special pun, wouldn't you say? But bigger than our tony digs is who he would be interviewing in the suite. It was the musician behind all of my favorite songs

in "DREAMGIRLS", Henry Krieger. Before I knew what exactly the plot of "DREAMGIRLS" was, there was Henry Krieger, whose music was married to the lyrics of his now-late creative partner Tom Eyen, he made his own DREAMS come true via a a Tony nod for Best Score in 1982 for "Dreamgirls;" and in 1998, for Best Score, his music with Bill Russell's lyrics, for "Side Show." At 12, I would listen to my "DREAMGIRLS" album over and over, taking in all of the beautiful music and - depending on the side - imagining myself "James 'Thunder' Early" on "Fake Your Way to the Top" or Curtis on "Cadillac Car" or C.C. on "Family". Truth be told, I too imagined myself Effie on "Move", "One Night Only", "I Am Changing", and the showstopper "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going". And if I'm completely honest, I did more than imagine myself Deena. I WAS DEENA JONES... and I was WONDERFUL! "What can I say, but wonderful! Yes,... wonderful!!!!!". So to know that my boyfriend would be interviewing him meant I needed to be there too, so I could meet the man behind this amazing music, which for the movie, goes even further as he composed and collaborated with different songwriters to produce four new songs for the film adaptation of "DREAMGIRLS", including a breakthrough song for Deena (per Beyonce) "Listen" (kind of a Diana Ross' "It's My Turn" for the lead character, whose loosely based on Ross). As the crew lit for the interview, I waited with baited breath for Mr. Krieger's arrival. He came in and was gracious and warm. Anthony asked some great questions and got some good insight out of Krieger, including why character Lorell's song "Ain't No Party" isn't in the movie. Basically, they felt the song was too comical and emotionally removed from where they wanted the movie to be at that point. But then, I got to weigh in and ask some quick questions as he generously signed my "DREAMGIRLS" soundtrack(s) - the original and the new. He too agreed to a picture. Then, I asked him how Diana Ross came to sing one of his "DREAMGIRLS" songs "Family" in her legendary 1983 Central Park Concert, given she was reportedly not a fan of the piece. He didn't exactly answer how 'the song found her', but pointed out that "DREAMGIRLS" and Diana had people in common, like choreographer, the late, great Michael Peters. He said that Peters invited him to Diana's Central Park Concert that July day in 1983 and she wanted to adjust a lyric in the song for her show and discuss it with him. In the musical, C.C. sings: "... you can't stop us now because of how you feel...". Diana wanted to change the "you"s to "they"s. But before Krieger could hammer this out, he waited for her with Peters in her dressing room. When Diana appeared, Peters noted "... speaking of the devil.". Krieger, ever-the-storyteller, noted that Diana replied with sass: "I am NOT the devil!!!!". They all got a laugh (and I had to pick myself up off the floor from having received such a lovely anecdote on my diva from one of my favorite composers). THIS IS "THE LIFE OF RILEY"!!!! I couldn't make it up!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ724bS6otg

Once I had this moment, I needed a cigarette (because it was like good sex - having met him). But of course, I'm joking because I don't smoke. But I was "schvitzing" for sure. (Sweating... and in awe!!!). After Anthony wrapped his shoot, we still didn't have a ticket for him to accompany me that night, but trusted that we'd be able to prayerfully "bum" one a couple of hours before the 8:00 showtime. So, we made the most of what the balance of the afternoon had to offer by joining our friend Melony who we met at my Seattle-based friend Jabu's birthday party which transpired within the weekend of my own birthday extravaganza. We met Melony through Monica, my amazing grace Nichole's New Rochelle neighbor. Melony is here in America with her husband, a South African TV host. They will both pursue education and professional opportunities around their expertise in TV and film production. Anthony and I bonded with Melony the night of the party and got to further know how she ticks through our afternoon in New York City with her. We hopped in a cab down to The Village to grab a bite. She nor Anthony wanted my chosen cuisine, "Pink Tea Cup" soul food. Anthony nor I wanted her chosen cuisine, Indian. But somehow we all landed on "Thai" as a food we could each enjoy. "Lemongrass Grill" was renovating. So, we tried our luck with an unsuspecting Thai cafe on Bleecker Street. We enjoyed saki cocktails - inspired by mojitos and pina coladas. I had BBQ chicken and shrimp fried rice. And we had lovely conversation. We look forward to more times with Melony. 

Meanwhile, back at "DREAMGIRLS" headquarters, Anthony and I lucked out by bartering two extra tix that I had bought for Saturday afternoon for one young lady's sole ticket that she was poised to use on opening night. To sweeten the deal, I gave her some cash to go to dinner on that night instead. She went for it... and Anthony was in. When we walked into the regal Ziegfeld Theater lobby, there were a couple of displays and screens - highlighting the behind-the-scenes of "DREAMGIRLS" - from costumes to film sets. I ran into Luther Vandross' best friend from childhood and his often background singer Fonzi Thornton, who I had a chance to meet when I was given an opportunity to see Luther at his assisted living home before he passed away. He gave me a big hug and said "Oh, Patrick. I wish Luther was here to enjoy this. I've been waiting 25 years for this movie. And I just know he would enjoy it!". I comforted him by saying "Luther is here....!!!!". He smiled and introduced me to his movie buddy and we segued to our respective seats. One of my Morehouse best friends Michael K. Watts bought my ticket as a birthday gift, so he and I could see it together. So, unfortunately, Anthony and I couldn't sit together. But I felt his energy and he mine. Another special tale inside of this "DREAMGIRLS" mania is my friend Devon (from Cleveland. Remember? My pop culture soul mate - especially around "DREAMGIRLS" and "DIANA") made a decision to hop on a 2:00 am Friday morning Greyhound bus from Cleveland to New York City. He didn't have a ticket, but felt like he was going to get into the movie somehow. Ironically, Devon, who has seen many road tours of "DREAMGIRLS" over the years, ran into one of the guys who played C.C. in the early '90s at a New Jersey bus stop. Devon knew that was a sign. From there, he made it to NYC in record time. He still didn't have a ticket at the point which Anthony and I went into the theater, but before the house lights went down, my Devon's dream came true as a woman who played Deena in a Hackensack, NJ-run of "DREAMGIRLS" gave him an extra ticket she had. What testimonial. Afterwards, our friends Jason, Marquise, Mario, and Marlynn joined Anthony, Devon, Michael, and me for post-movie chat and chew at BBQ. We also went to my friend Brian's spot "No Parking" in Washington Heights for a night-cap.

Several hours later, my boo had to get on a flight back West. And I would soon have to turn it around to enjoy the 2:00 pm matinee of "DREAMGIRLS". This time, I was attending with my friends Tata, Ern, and Kimberly Jajuan, who played Michelle some years ago in a road tour of "DREAMGIRLS". This was screening #5 for me... and I must admit, I cried this time. It was nice to share it with Ern who knows to what degree I have loved "DREAMGIRLS" and has jumped aboard recently with his appreciation for the piece, especially after American Idol's Jennifer Hudson came to be cast. We loved Jennifer Hudson on the show and grew to love her more and more after she was booted off. That screening was special. (The pic of Kimberly, Ern, and me is from "The Color Purple" Tony Awards after party)

Then, last night, I went back to the 8:00 pm show with my Frankie Edozien, who bought my ticket. We went with his boyfriend Enye. And a couple of their friends Albert and Ricky joined us. My Mario came back. I ran into another "DREAMGIRLS" soul mate Lee, who was seeing it for the first time. Also, a new friend Roderick was there. And I stumbled into my Spelman sister Toni Herron who was there to meet her friends. When she told me she had an extra ticket, I called Devon, who was staying with Michael, to have him come down and see "DREAMGIRLS" again. I figured since he came from Cleveland all the way on a bus, he should see it twice. So, that was a blessing I was thrilled to help facillitate. Meanwhile, it was in this - my 6th - screening, where I realized how powerful "DREAMGIRLS" is showing up. As a film, it is shattering the figurative fourth wall and bringing the viewing audience inside in a way that I've never experienced in a film. The audiences are clapping, cheering, and giving standing ovations to people who are not on stage. The performers are inside a screen. And yet, different than a camp classic like "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" where everybody sings along and pulls out umbrellas when it's raining on the screen, "DREAMGIRLS" - from the six screenings I've seen of it - is offering an inspired, energized, and - like theater - elegant version of that. And the audiences are just taken under the spell of these magical artists - the men and the women - and given something that is so exciting to experience in a theater. The audience is now a member of the cast of "DREAMGIRLS". And for me (and many I've polled), it's something to see again and again and again... with loved ones and strangers. I am so invested in "DREAMGIRLS" now, I am almost now going to see it for the film and the audience energy after Jennifer Hudson's powerful scenes, but also each and every one of the other players in the stellar cast. "DREAMS see us through to forever", sings Diana Ross in her international hit "If We Hold On Together". And I think "DREAMGIRLS" is a vessel to ensure that. One need look no further than the Golden Globe nominations to know that more DREAMS are on order. Beyonce is nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical. Same for Eddie Murphy in his category. But the beginnings of Oscar buzz for Jennifer Hudson is that much closer to a reality as she too was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe.

After the screening, Lee, Roderick, Devon, and I were joined by Michael K. Watts, who wanted to participate in our post-viewing chat. We had a late dinner at a diner. From there, we all ventured down to bid my friend Diaz a Happy Birthday at the STAY Lounge on Houston between Avenues A & B. We danced and enjoyed lots of eye candy. We too appreciated seeing some of our favorites like one of the former 3 'MO TENORS Victor Trent Cook and Mariah Carey's background singer and singer in his own right (with a new album in stores now), Trey Lorenz. Writer Keith Boykin was there as well as Derrick Briggs whose become one to watch with his book club and evening events for the "children". With one more "No Parking" night cap and some food to soak up the gin & juice (Tanquery and cranberry), it was 6:00 am as I found myself coming in this morning. So, "DREAMS" see us through to forever (and sometimes keep us up and away from the rapid-eye-movement version of our "DREAMS"). I'll catch up on my sleep yet and - trust me - I'll be having SWEET ones.

I had to leave town late last week (as you see me being driven to my destination with my Godson Owen Angelou in tow. He is the son of my friend and often driver Owen. Sometimes, he will bring Owen Angelou to see his "Godfather" (that's me) and we will hang out in the back of the sedan - playing Mario Brothers 3 or just chatting as he repeats everything I say when I'm on a conference call or what have you). We have lots of fun and I want to shout he and his parents Owen and Sandy out! THANKS GUYS for everything. That said, I am behind on and have had to miss a number of things I want to reference. So, here goes:

* WORLD AIDS DAY was DECEMBER 1^st. Though I have been holding him high and supporting his efforts to get the word out on his project, I’ve not had the chance to shout out my dear friend and fellow journalist Gil Robertson, who is the editor of “ Not in My Family: AIDS in the Black Community”, a landmark collection of personal essays, stories, brief memoirs, and polemics from a broad swath of black Americans that will galvanize public attention and support around this issue. Not in My Family breaks through the cultural inhibitions that have prevented us from dealing with HIV/AIDS head on. And it’s quite profound. Contributors include: Reverend Calvin Butts, Jocelyn Elders, Jasmine Guy, Hill Harper, Tramaine Hawkins, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., Patti Labelle, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Mo’Nique, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Randal Robinson, Al Sharpton, Omar Tyree, and Phil Wilson. PLUS: There’s a companion CD that arrives in stores TODAY (December 5^th). “Not in My Family: Songs of Healing and Inspiration” is a collection of music designed to echo and inspire those in and out of the African American community as it continues to battle the devastating effects of AIDS. The CD presents songs from powerful voices in Gospel music including Yolanda Adams, Byron Cage, Kirk Franklin, Natalie Wilson, Walter & Tramaine Hawkins and New Direction. New Direction’s “You Can Make It” was recorded specifically for this project and is an impassioned love offering to those personally affected by this disease. For more information: http://www.amazon.com/Not-My-Family-American-Community/dp/1932841245/sr=8-1/qid=1164339495/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-6176081-8054231?ie=UTF8&s=books

My friend Alicia Evans is President Emeritus of a group I hold dear, the Black Public Relations Society (and in this picture with John Legend). During her reign, she has invited me to moderate a series of industry panels and to even perform for one of BPRS Holiday parties a few years back. Over the years, Alicia has brought to life countless marketing programs for major corporations in America. This year, she is responsible for conceptualizing and presenting a beautiful art show that opened this past weekend while I was out of town on assignment. It’s The Morrow family hair care/African American beauty exhibit--housed quietly for years in San Diego. Now, brought to the national scenes by my friend Alicia, you can see it in New York. It features stunning, rare artifacts, memorabilia, and advertising – all around 100 years of African American Beauty in America. And it runs through January 31, 2007. I can’t wait to see it. So, get on over to Casa Frela Gallery at 47 West 119^th Street (New York, NY). 212/722-8577.

Another place I wish I was yesterday is the premiere of “DREAMGIRLS” in New York City. Scheduling around a big project that will actually give me some shine this week on the airwaves required I be away from my home base. And though I’ve seen “DREAMGIRLS” three times over (and am already committed to see it five more times towards my 12 times before the end of the year), I also missed out on another chance to see the movie “DREAMGIRLS” again as my friend Shaun Robinson (from “Access Hollywood” and who filled-in on “The View” today. YOU WERE GREAT!!!) invited me to join her for a last-Friday screening, after she and I got to bond amidst that love fest at Gerald Boyd’s Memorial service (Shaun is Robin’s cousin and by the time I got her message, I was too far from where the screening was taking place and had committed to join my friend Kimberly Jajuan and our friends Ern and Deepthi for Kimberly’s birthday celebration at “Teek on the Hudson”, an awesome Hoboken restaurant that I highly recommend). By the way, Kimberly, an actress, singer, real estate mogul, has performed in the road tour of “DREAMGIRLS”, portraying Michelle some years ago to brilliant effect. That said, I continue to be excited about the movie. And look forward to my next screenings of the special film (still before it comes out) on December 15^th and 16^th at the Ziegfeld Theater for the “DREAMGIRLS” ROAD TOUR, where in NYC, L.A., and San Francisco, audiences can see the film for $25 in just one theater (from December 15^th through the 25^th) and receive a souvenir program booklet and a glimpse of a “DREAMGIRLS” display in the lobby. The CD Soundtrack(s) for the film come(s) out today and a special edition of the original soundtrack (of the Broadway musical) came out last week with extra songs that were not included on the original cast album along with an additional CD of instrumentals (CAN YOU SAY: KARAOKE?) and a remix of Jennifer Holliday’s classic “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”. And Beyonce performed beautifully on TODAY yesterday while I await some more of Jennifer Hudson’s press, so the world can get a glimpse of her magic. America has gotten the chance to see the "magic" of my fellow National Association of Black Journalists member Rene Syler every morning on CBS "Early Show". It was announced this week that she is leaving the show. Word has it that CBS wants to take the show in another direction sans the diversity that she brought to the table. She - ever the class act - wants no one to fret for her. She's already got a book in the works due to be released March of 2007. It's titled "Good Enough Mother"  (Simon &  Schuster) and she will tour with it in the Spring. At closer inspection, I see she is an Air Force Brat who was based in Sacramento, where my family's friends The Betheas were stationed (Remember I mentioned them in my Thanksgiving reflection?). I knew Rene came from good stock as I have had the opportunity to produce her as host of NABJ's Salute to Excellence Awards (see picture). When we worked together on this special evening in October of 2004, her flight from New York to DC was running late and she managed to leave her pressed powder. After she landed in D.C., she called from the car to see if we could quickly get her some (as she had a half-hour window to get to the hotel, changed, and behind the podium). Since no department store was available for me to secure MAC for her, I went all over asking NABJ's lady Board members if they had something even close to the texture and tone that Rene requested of me. In the end, I gathered several compacts. And in this picture, as my childhood friend Tish looks on, I am handing them over to her for quick perusal, application... and present! She was so easy, breezy, beautiful, and funny through this scenario and as she anchored us through the night. I can't imagine where CBS is coming from in letting her go. But I'm clear she's standing in God's favor and will turn the page (literally and figuratively) to a wonderful next chapter. We're CHEERING for you, RENE!!!!