A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

A lot is being said about "B-BOY BLUES", the movie that is being adapted from the book which chronicles the love story of two men who shared their love in New York City's '90s hip hop culture (www.bboybluesthemovie.com). We also hear that "Noah's Arc" is not coming back to LOGO, but will supposedly be a feature film next year. Then, before all of this, there was E. Lynn Harris' "Invisible Life", a book I remember reading in 1992 before I came out of the closet. In the the two hundred-plus pages of that novel,  a New York City-man (from the south - Alabama) named Raymond comes to terms with his homo-sexuality, after a long and harrowing drama surrounding his confusion. So much of the content in this book would foreshadow experiences I would have, once I moved from Atlanta to New York City. Well, Tony-award-winning legend George Faison (who choreographed and won the Tony for "The Wiz") is directing "Invisible Life" (The Musical) featuring the music and lyrics of Ashford & Simpson. George invited me to a READING held the other night at "THE APOLLO" and it is truly a work-in-progress with much promise. (www.INVISIBLELIFE.org). The script is written by Proteus Spann and Stanley Bennett Clay, who also wrote some of the music/lyrics. The performers for the special reading were pulled from many walks of theater and life - some newcomers (like Zoei Morris, who I had a chance to meet recently as she was hosting - a day job -  at VOYAGE Restaurant) and some known veterans from the recording industry (like Tony Terry, Victor "Trent" Cook, and Natalie Wilson). Natalie plays Raymond's mother and sings a song that brought tears to my eyes as the words came out of her mouth (in addition to the melody). Since my mom was a singer too, it was as if Natalie was singing to me and it reminded me of what I would have wanted to hear from my mother's lips had I an opportunity to come out to her. (She died in July 1994, a few years before I would begin the journey of "coming out" of the closet). Thanks to George Faison, who is letting me share these lyrics here in "A Day in the Life of Riley: Pop Culture & Possibilities":

Spike Lee's wife Tonya was in attendance as was Leslie Lewis Sword ("Miracle in Rwanda"). And of course, Ashford & Simpson were in attendance - taking bows for their wonderful new music that promises to inspire another generation. When I told George how touched I was by the song and the show and what it means to me, he asked "Well, don't you think your mother knew?". And I guess she did. But I wasn't clear with myself at the time, but got more clear in the years that would follow her passing. I too remember the times she would "protect" me - if you will - by telling me not to walk a certain way or hold my bag a certain way or how not to do this or that ("like a girl"). Also, when I told my friend Murphy of how moved I was by the book and the piece-in-progress, he laughed at me and said "You have never lived an 'invisible life'". And at this evolved phase in my life, that's nice to hear.  In fact, my attending "Invisible Life" got in the way of a benefit I've supported since it's inception six years ago: LIVE OUT LOUD Gala & Scholarship Presentation which awards scholarships to five incredible LGBT high school graduates. (www.liveoutloud.info). I want to shout out my friend Leo Preziosi, Jr., Founder and President of LIVE OUT LOUD... and let him know that I was still out in the world, being "HEARD",,, and "VISIBLE".

The end of April is a celebratory time for people in my life. My dad's birthday is on the 27th of April. At 73, he and his wife spent his special weekend on Tybee Island in Savannah, Georgia, their home. (www.tybeeisland.com/). I sent him a card and a chunky gift card to some of his favorite restaurants. Three of my closest girlfriends boast birthdays on April 27 and the 28th - Chandra, Elise, and my Tata. I sent messages to the former two as Chandra is in Atlanta and my Elise was in Paris, France on her day for business. But Ern and I took Tata to family-style Italian restaurant Carmine's for a huge meal of shrimp scampi, porterhouse steak, chicken marsala, and a host of other fixin's. (www.carminesnyc.com/). We had a great time of sharing and connecting before I had to go to the airport to pick up my Anthony, who was returning "home" from his home of Denver, where he had spent the last week actually celebrating his birthday and taking care of business. Since he was away on April 22nd (his actual birthday), I had an itinerary of love and joy set up for his return. We hit the ground running by going to my Morehouse brother Chad Groom's set at the nightclub SECRET in the area of Chelsea's club row. We danced the night away and enjoyed being back in each other's presence (I had been traveling alongside his time in Denver... and I was missing him. We had a great time. And my Frankie and some of his friends joined us. Anthony's celebration was on... and popping! The next day, Anthony and I slept in, but then we got up to have a bit of an afternoon in Manhattan. We got haircuts before going to have an early dinner at Saigon 48 in the theater district. Then, we had our full circle moment on Broadway. You'll recall, Anthony and I met the opening night of "The Color Purple" on Broadway. I thought it would be great (and Anthony agreed) if we saw one of our favorites Fantasia in the role of Celie in the Broadway musical. It made for an inspired and entertaining night. Of course, you know I love LaChanze, the Tony-award-winning actress from "The Color Purple" who is also my dear friend. But Miss Fantasia definitely showed up brilliantly in a way that we didn't see in her Lifetime movie about her life. She was present, funny, emotional in all the right places, and that voice. Let me tell you about that voice. She turned those songs into even more of a religious experience as - it appears - she was channeling her own story and its connectedness to Celie. We - at points - were in tears. And to have her playing opposite my friend Angela Robinson (in as Shug Avery on this night), who shouted us out during the bows/finale (as I non-verbally introduced her to Anthony and she gave me a thumbs up from the stage). Afterwards, we met our favorites Jason & Marquise; Marlynn; Dante & Marcus (along with their friend Stephen from Switzerland). First, "The Ritz" in New York City (on Restaurant Row, 46th Street). From there, we went for an encore night at SECRET. We had the best time - catching up with the other couples and counting our blessings.  On Sunday, we joined Marlynn, Michael K. Watts, Jason, and Marquise for brunch at Mamajuana Cafe. Then, we went to "DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON", the annual affair that my friend Carl Nelson produces for Lotus Music & Dance (and the City of New York) http://www.lotusarts.com). It's a festival that includes an open-air powwow including Native American craft demonstrations, storytelling, and a festival of world dance traditions that share the drum as live musical accompaniment. Demonstrations of shad planking and tasting by The Hudson River Conservancy, fine Native American art and crafts, and international foods round out the festival festivities. It was a lot of fun. That afternoon, Anthony and I went to a restaurant where his friend Marcos works: VOYAGE in Greenwich Village. Marcos makes the best rum punch, which got us nice and primed for our evening festivities. Mind your business... (but let's say there were dollars and dancers). And that capped off our wonderful weekend. But before we could call it a wrap on the festivities, our Monday and Tuesday of this week gave us the chance to enjoy some more "festive" times together. On Monday, Anthony and I went to see my friend Nancy Hirsch's client Eric Lewis (www.nhirschgroup.com), a pianist and unique spirit who I've had the chance to get to know over the years. He used to play with Wynton Marsalis and was doing his solo set at Zinc Bar in SOHO (www.ericlewisgroove.com). Zinc is a really cozy (READ: cramped) spot. But we got the chance to hear the sounds of Eric that the nation got to hear at the end of GIRLFRIENDS' last season, an episode on which he played "Puerto Rico" at a party. On Tuesday, we had a nice dinner at the Maritime Hotel (www.themaritimehotel.com/) atop Hiro Ballroom where we were too late to see Robin Thicke perform for a "People" Magazine party. Then, we got the chance to hang out with Reverand Run's daughters Vanessa and Angela Simmons (www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/runs_house/series.jhtml ), who invited everybody out to ULTRA (nymag.com/listings/bar/Ultra/) to celebrate the launch of their new footwear line: "PASTRY" (kinda' like a birthday cake).

I got the chance to hang out with my Amazing Grace Nichole and her New Rochelle posse Michelle and Monica. Additionally, a couple of Monica's friends joined us. We all met in New York City's meat-packing district at The Buddha Bar (http://www.buddhabarnyc.com/). Over great sushi and seafood, I was the "fish" out of water called "ladies night". But I managed to float and eventually begin to swim amongst this group, who seemed to appreciate some of my relationship advice as I navigate through a new relationship with Anthony. Clearly, I don't have all the answers, but I've got some tools that are working to keep us afloat... and we are armored to navigate through those pieces that put us in conflict sometimes. Regardless, Monica and the girls were a captive audience and I too enjoyed their sharings about love, sex, and everything in between. Considering the backdrop of this beautiful restaurant which boasts a BIG BUDDHA as its centerpiece, we experienced so much joy that we didn't want the night to end. From there, we walked over to PLUMM, which conjured many memories of when I used to hang out what PLUMM used to be, NELL'S, a popular nightspot that housed much of the hip-hop/R&B sect of the '90s, including Tupac (and the infamous act he allegedly had done to him that got him in trouble with the law for statutory rape). When I moved to New York in the mid-'90s, I used to hang out at NELL's with my Chandra, Tata, and many of our other friends. VIBE Magazine would throw great sets and showcases and we really had a lovely time. And fast-forward about twelve years, the ladies and I re-created those wonderful times... if only for one night.

Meanwhile, my good friends at N - owners Nikoa (pictured below); Larry; and Lenn along with my good friend/N stylist Jamar - have been throwing some great sets at their store and nearby Ginger just in time for this reluctant spring. Last Wednesday, I went to N for its introduction of a new jewelry line by Louvee (www.louvee.com). The line of unique, hand-crafted jewelry ranges from 18 to 22 karat gold fused with a color palette of precious and semi-precious stones. Designer Julia Byrnes was there (

www.nharlemnewyork.com/

) for the launch along with Harlem's best and brightest. Tonight, N is having its first Wednesdays blast at N (featuring art and cocktails) followed by healthy asian cuisine at Ginger. (www.gingerexpress.com/press.html) Good times in Harlem! Come on out...!!!

 

I've been on the road a lot lately;

, Anthony and I were figuratively transported to 1994 RWANDA during the horrific genocide its people had to struggle through during that bloody summer. And again (as I have in previous entries), I want to re-inforce how awesome Leslie Lewis Sword (pictured above with us) is in the one-woman show Miracle in Rwanda (www.MiracleInRwanda.com) which is still running at the Ohio Theater in SOHO/NYC. She plays every character in this amazing true story of how Immaculee Ilibagiza learned to forgive the unforgiveable. She plays a dozen or so characters in her piece. And my friend Carl Nelson (pictured below) is producing. Anthony and I had the chance to check it out last weekend and we were both quite moved. Apparently, the masses are inspired as well. This show, which was debuted in its current incarnation in Naples, Florida, is getting ready to go on the road to California, North Carolina, and a number of other festivals and theaters which have begun to invite Leslie in large order to share this powerful message wrapped inside of her talent.

FROM THERE, I was off to ATLANTA for an assignment. It gave me the opportunity to hang out with my nephew, who I call Noot, who is a freshman at Morehouse College (www.morehouse.edu). He and I hung out on the campus and he, my sister, cousin Floyd, and I enjoyed a nice meal at my favorite (and now my nephew's favorite) HOUSTON'S. I also got the chance to enjoy cocktails at the Omni Hotel with my friends Audrey and Chris -- both of whom (along with my family) have been chronicled in my Georgia entries from Christmas and February (Check out What You've Missed ). ATL is ALWAYS a good time for me and I now look forward to my 15-YEAR REUNION from MOREHOUSE which is coming up mid-May ( www.morehouseoldschool.com/1992 ). See our pic from the 10-year reunion. FROM A-T-L, I got the chance to hit BALTIMORE for a few days - again for another assignment. As I do when I'm on the road for work, I try to see my peeps. And I got the chance to spend some quality time with my "Amazing Grace" Lisa Goodnight who drove from her home of Silver Spring, MD to see me at the Intercontinental hotel that sets off of Baltimore's beautiful harbor. (www.harborcourt.com). She and I walked around and grabbed a cocktail or two from various spots before I joined some of my colleagues for dinner at P.F. Changs ( www.pfchangs.com/ ). We considered going out to the club on one of the nights, but fatigue got the best of us. Our server recommended "Grand Central" (www.centralstationpub.com) or "Hippo" ( www.clubhippo.com/index.shtml ). Maybe next time...

While in CHICAGO (on another assignment), however, I accepted just about every invitation that came to me. The National Association of Black Journalists BOARD was meeting in Chicago during the time I was there and I got the chance to hang out with them extensively.  My ITIKA and I went to their reception at CARNIVALE (www.carnivalechicago.com), the restaurant Anthony and I have enjoyed before. [PIX provided by neal@weisenbergphotography.com]. There, anchor for the CBS affiliate in Chicago, Diann Burns and her husband Marc Watts, talent agent, hosted the affair. Many of my brothers and sisters from Chicago journalism were in the house - from reporter/ anchor Dorothy Tucker to managing editor of EBONY Lynn Norment. It's always good to see my NABJ folks. Afterwards, Diann and Marc hosted an after-set at their beautiful Lincoln Park home, which was most palatial. Anna Nicole's baby daddy Larry Birkhead who he recently ran into on vacation in the Bahamas. It seems a match made in 'pop culture' heaven and as Birkhead considers his future and the many offers, Marc will advise him accordingly. The next night, NABJ's President Bryan Monroe hosted everyone at his home in Naperville, quite the schlep from the city. But schlep, Itika, her friend Janene, and I did. Bryan was ever the host and even allowed us to listen to "Dreamgirls" as piped from his I-TUNES to his DVR (TIVO)... and of course, we all reflected on our time with Jennifer Hudson back in Indianapolis last summer before her amazing ride. We too are looking forward to May 1st when "Dreamgirls" comes out on DVD.

ALSO, while in Chicago, I got to see my Chicago CARL and we had the chance to hang out at his friend Bionce's WGCI networking mixer at SOLO (Solo 1530). TANK was the featured performer. He performed his hits as well as songs from his upcoming 3^rd album "Sex, Love & Pain" due out on  May 15^th via Blackground Records. The new set will include joints like "Please Don't Go", as well as collaborations with production team The Underdogs(Whitney Houston, Nick Lachey) and Keri Hilson (Britney Spears, Ciara). On the other hand, fans of Tank's songwriting should look out for the next albums by Kelly Rowland (Sony Music), Claudette Ortiz (Interscope Records), Keke Wyatt (TVT Records), Megan Rochell (Def Jam Records), as well as new girlgroups Gyrlfriend (J Records) and LAX (Blackground Records). He writes for them all and - of course - wrote the lion's share of Jamie Foxx's J Records debut. TANK was in fine form (vocally and physically). It turns out that NEYO was having a listening party for his upcoming album across town at Quantro. Itika was there. She, Carl, and I let SPRING know how happy we are for it to finally have awakened by hanging out beyond our evening appointments. Carl took me to see his friend AJES at his hair salon in Chicago (www.ajessalon.com). I'd heard so much about AJES, it was great to finally meet him. He was a joy and I look forward to more time to hang out in Chicago. His salon is beautiful with gorgeous floral arrangements, exposed brick, multiple stations, etc. And he's done the heads of many celebrities who've come through Chicago and beyond. Meanwhile, at one point, Itika and I took my friend Caleb to the Peninsula for drinks (chicago.peninsula.com). We took Caleb and some of our other NABJ folks to a big party at 12 ERIE BALLROOM. We saw lots of folks we know from New York and Chicago as we all danced to the hottest '80s songs around - from Michael Jackson to WHAM!. It was a GREAT night of dancing. Caleb inspired table service and some great champagne at our after-after set, which took place at REDNOFIVE (www.rednofive.com/). I ran into one of my buddies Loucian there. That was cool. We also took in some pre-dawn breakfast from TEMPO (Tempo Cafe).

By the way, Itika's boyfriend Datari is the executive producer of a new show "I MARRIED A BALLER" which launched this week on TV ONE (www.tvoneonline.com). It features Miss Taj from R&B group SWV and her husband Eddie George -- Heisman Trophy winner and former Ohio State and NFL running back. The series will run on TV One. In the show, we see Taj running her husband's nonprofit organization, Visions With Infinite Possibilities. We also will see her with SWV as they reunited for some dates. And we see her as mother and stepmother. Datari and his fellow executive producer Shannon J. Love run the ship, which also features the couple bringing up his 10-year-old son, Jaire, from a previous relationship and their 2-year-old son, Eriq. They live in Nashville, where George played with the Tennessee Titans for nine seasons. And they have homes in Columbus and Los Angeles, to which he commutes for his job as an NFL analyst with Fox Sports Net. Itika, Datari, Anthony and I had the chance to holiday last summer in Maui and we experienced an awesome bonding. I wish him well on this show...

When Diana Ross performs "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" in her concerts, she usually exclaims "GO FOR YOUR DREAMS! REACH AND THE THEIR YOURS". When I interviewed director of "Dirty Laundry" J. Maurice Jamal for UNEQ Magazine (www.UneQmagazine.com) back in December (www.dirtylaundrythemovie.com), he mentioned his what's next was co-writing the adaptation of "B-Boy Blues" into a feature film with the original novelist James Earl Hardy. As this is a book I read before I even came out of the closet (in the mid-90s), I immediately asked to be a part. Since that time, our interview has come out and Mr. Jamal is off and running with "B-BOY BLUES: THE MOVIE" (www.bboybluesthemovie.com). Once the open call for casting hit my inbox, I quickly realized that I am not 20 (nor in my 20s) anymore... and though I boast a 29-inch waist that I've maintained since high school (and I enjoy the looks of shock from bouncers and servers when I am carded), but starring as Mitchell, Raheim, or any of the gang is likely not going to happen. Granted, with some tweaking on the character and situational adaptation from book to film, they could work it around me a la Diana Ross' Dorothy in "The Wiz". But from the closer inspection of the character breakdowns, I figured I should hold out for a "cameo" while forwarding the sheet to my Anthony, who is an actor and falls more in line with several of the characters. (He has since auditioned and is being considered in his own right, which is a HUGE STRETCH and just the beginning of all the AMAZING things that are unfolding for him). Meanwhile, we happened to run into J. Maurice Jamal last Thursday and he - without nudging or mention - told me that he does still want to talk to me about something that may be a good fit for me in the film. I hope my 'laws of attraction' are at work and this truly does unfold into my BIG SCREEN DEBUT.

With that, there was lots to celebrate on Friday (on the heels of that news and Anthony's audition), so instead of Disneyland, we popped one block up to the Madison Square Garden to behold Diana Ross' SOLD OUT show at the famous venue's THEATER. But not before hooking up with my Amazing Grace Nichole and her niece Daylin, who was in town to hang out with her aunt for the week. We met up at the spot (http://www.karaoke17.com/) as I got us ready for the main event by performing Diana Ross' greatest hits. Daylin - of course - gave us the best that Chris Brown, Lloyd, and the young gang had to offer. And Nichole did her best impersonation of a jazz singer (a la "Sister" from Sparkle). As always, KARAOKE rules!

From there, Nichole and Daylin dropped Anthony and me off to the Madison Square Garden. We met up with Tata and Michael, both of whom received the balance of our tickets. But at this much- anticipated event, I saw so many friends - old and new. Many of my fellow Diana Ross Fan Club mates were in the house and this provided our first time to meet. My buddies - like Frankie, Marlon, Murphy, etc. - were in the house and we went so far as to get a picture taken together afterwards. Nile Rodgers - half of the team (CHIC) behind Diana's best-selling album ever "diana" (with "Upside Down" and "I'm Coming Out") - was there. James Lipton, who chatted Miss Ross up for two hours (and change) on BRAVO's "Inside The Actor's Studio" was there. L.A. Reid (President of Island Def Jam Records) was there with his family and I'm told "loving him some Diana Ross", who he even commented on maybe signing to his label to play a role in elevating that label's cache. Reid pointed out in a Rolling Stone article a couple of years ago that he's always searching for the "... next Diana Ross" and feels he always falls short. Maybe signing her and choreographing her a studio comeback of original material could be his way of fulfilling that desire.

But let's be clear: As Diana's show reflected (and the crowd that stayed on its feet for hit after hit after hit), she need not ever record another chart-topper ever again as she has so many already. And though she entertained us with a good dozen or so of them, there are many more that we could have heard that night. Her set list was as follows:

 

Overture

I'm Coming Out

More Today Than Yesterday

Where Did Our Love Go?

Baby Love

Stop! In the Name of Love

Touch Me in the Morning

Love Hangover

The Boss

It's My House

Love Child

Upside Down

Ease On Down the Road

Fine and Mellow

Don't Explain

Why Do Fools Fall In Love?

Why Do Fools Fall In Love? (Reprise)

Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To?)

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Reprise)

I Will Survive

I Love You (That's All That Really Matters)

I Will Survive (Reprise)

On Monday, Anthony and I ventured down to Red Bank, New Jersey to see Ross one more time. Again, to a SOLD-OUT audience, she delivered in a way that made me proud, though she switched out "MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY" for "MY WORLD IS EMPTHY WITHOUT YOU". The reviews for all the shows so far have been SMASHING! And I look forward to hearing more about Miss Ross as she travels the states and then Europe next month. And I'll let you know what's going on...

Ironically, as a P.S., Anthony and I went about listening to an artist whose project we landed from Nathan at SPLASH last Tuesday. Her name is Amy Winehouse and the CD (on Universal Republic Records) is titled "Back to Black". On her artwork she looks white, but the music is "old school soul"-style a la Etta James with a some bluesy Dinah Washington to boot. I liken her vocal tones to Lauryn Hill and India.Arie. But Amy is truly an original. (www.amywinehouse.com) and on TRACK 7, "TEARS DRY ON THEIR OWN", she had the good taste to sample Ashford & Simpson's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". As DIANA says "GO FOR YOUR DREAMS. REACH AND THEIR YOURS". Why not use a little help from her catalogue to catapult that?