A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Hi folks,

LIFE OF RILEY is über excited to introduce you to Tank & The Bangas, the funky new band from New Orleans – one of the most original, energetic and smart bands on the music scene today. They go hard! See them at Brooklyn Bowl this Saturday, January 16 at 7 PM. Tickets: http://bit.ly/tank_tickets.The lead singer, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, who layers her titanium voice over whimsical and soulful compositions, blew me away.  A Tank & The Bangas concert goes from heart-felt, sunken words to spoken word to front row at a rock concert. It’s an experience fans can only describe as "the best rollercoaster I've ever been on." 

Video links below...

Crazy - http://bit.ly/crazy_tank

Boxes & Squares - http://bit.ly/boxes_tank

Drummers - http://bit.ly/drummers_tank

Jazz Fest - http://bit.ly/jazzfest_tank

Goodnight Show - http://bit.ly/goodnight_tank

Best and LOVE,

Patrick L. Riley

“A Day in the LIFE OF RILEY: pop culture & possibilities”

P.S. LOOK FOR MORE LIFE OF RILEY as usual in the coming weeks; MEANWHILE, check out what’s been going on and what’s coming up via my FACEBOOK page:

1. JANUARY 2016: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/media_set?set=a.10153454803953737.1073741963.662073736&type=1

2. DECEMBER 2015:

https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/media_set?set=a.10153420949533737.662073736&type=3

HELLO BEAUTIFUL MONICA

VIDEO HIGHLIGHT: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153425697038737/?l=4560960440663802146.

You folks know I got to FIELD PRODUCE MONICA: STILL STANDING for Dubose Productions and BET back in 2009! We shot in ATLANTA. Did post in L.A. BIG BET HIT! And MONICA was a JOY THROUGH IT ALL! Imagine my EXCITEMENT when Ant told me hed’d booked MONICA for a HELLO BEAUTIFUL PRESENTS EVENT promoting her NEW CD: CODE RED! (Ant curates, books, and helps produce events at MIST HARLEM (including my All Star Karaoke Birthday Brunch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq1uovrAx0o&feature=youtu.be). Well, upon show day, Ant called to tell me that MONICA insisted I come by and SAY HI because she hadn’t seen me in YEARS. This, though Ant alerted her I had ALL STAR KARAOKE at the same time. We met early enough for me to get some CATCH UP TIME with MONICA before I headed over to BILLIE’S BLACK! Got to get MONICA’s #1 FAN, my nephew Herman, in the mix as well as some of our other buddies!  **FIND MONICA ONLINE**
https://twitter.com/MonicaBrown
https://instagram.com/monicabrown/
https://www.youtube.com/user/MonicaVEVO
#mistharlem #billiesblack #monicacodered#codered #monica #monicastillstanding#allstarkaraoke #missjessies #shennavaughn
#Monica #CodeRED #TheCodeREDExperienceTour#HelloBeautiful #MistHarlem #shoonailpolish

ALL STAR KARAOKE

1. We have two more Tuesdays left on All Star Karaoke at Billie's Black, though Tuesday, December 22nd, I'll be in Savannah with my FAM! IF YOU ARE IN TOWN, please join Bernice!

2.  TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29TH...we do FINALE of SEASON 4 at BILLIE'S BLACK.

3. SEASON FOUR has been OFF THE CHARTS! LAST NIGHT we had the opportunity to share our night's featured sponsor SHOO NAIL POLISH; NAACP Image Award Nominated Producer Sidra Smith ("Free Angela") who brought esteemed Director of Photography JB Letchinger who DPd the critically - acclaimed short film A LUV TALE Sid directed...and will be doing a run of screenings of that cinematic gem in 2016. Check him out at: Insta is @jbsnaps312.ALSO IN THE HOUSE: SPECIAL GUEST Victoria Pannell - star subject of our All Star Karaoke producer Bernice Wooden's short doc for which she just launched an Indiegogo campaign: Bit.ly/thevictoryinvictoria. PLUS, you have the rest of DECEMBER to experience the beautiful work of Contemporary Artist Shenna Vaughn who is artist-in-residence at Billie's Black for December 2015 - presented by ALL STAR KARAOKE. Reservations are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: 212.280.2248.

4. Dr. Ian Smith dropped by recently:
https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153404114088737/?l=7038106679684651902.

5. Miss Robbie and Tim from OWN's "Welcome to Sweetie Pie's" came by for my birthday: https://youtu.be/H3DXRU8OWIs.

6. And NBA CHAMP Josh Powell, who when he came at the top of the season, joined me on our weekly #THEBOSSCHOIR MOMENT!

7. PLUS, we always do #THEBOSS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OY7bT6AKT8! SO MUCH FUN!

8. PLUS, our ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULS bring the FUN and the SONG!

LOVE, LOSS, LEGACY

Bittersweet weekend:I lost my mom in 1994. And so many of our family pillars and pioneers have left us. Makes me uber-nostalgic and sometimes blue. I LOVE MY FAMILY SO MUCH! And FAMILY - to me, including all of that - is EVERYTHING. And when the SOUND ALARMS, we JUMP! AND HIGH!I'm just back from a trip from hell to get to hometown of Savannah to say FAREWELL to my father's sister, my AMAZING AUNT Goldie Beatrice Riley Mars: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153408969028737&l=ec2b97eef5. Counting among my blessings on this quick trip: spending quality time with FAM - first time my two siblings and I have stayed in our childhood home in decades; a part one tour of pictures and photo albums from our childhood (part two goes down during Christmas); a late Sunday meal at Outback Steakhouse with dad and his wife Diana; a hometown-style stumble into BFF Nat's parents, the Shinhosters; an ANT CIZE sighting on dad's TV in my childhood home! Lol!; and the HIGHLIGHT OF HIGHLIGHTS – especially after I missed my flight and was delayed by NINE HOURS, I arrived at the Savannah airport to what I thought was my sister picking me up. After we hugged, she turned me around to ALMOST 20 OF MY COUSINS, my nephew, my brother --- ALL THERE TO GREET ME and say IT’S OKAY that you missed Aunt Goldie’s funeral. “You’re here now…and we’re all together,” they offered me to off-set my frustration and disappointment. Love my FAMILY!.... Xoxoxoxo p.s. As I'd just returned from saying FAREWELL to my beloved Aunt Beatrice Riley Mars this past weekend in Savannah, I had to jump into the week's demands - including preps for Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley and a meet-and-greet with my former client and boss circa 2009: MONICA beforehand. En route, word that my first cousin Cathy Everett passed away. The show(s) had to go on, but I had to take a moment to honor them: MEMORY, LEGACY, and ENDLESS LOVE: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153421944903737/?l=4278426340364746660. Special TRIBUTE to my AUNT GOLDIE: My cup of LIFE runneth over with AMAZING AUNTS and I SPEAK ALL OF THEIR NAMES: Mom’s only sister and sibling, Auntee Mary Lee; and two of my Dad’s sisters Charlie May Riley Arvinger and Dorothy Lee Riley Ponder. And then there’s their baby sister GOLDIE BEATRICE MARS. AUNT GOLDIE we call her! She passed away yesterday morning… and I’m FULL of TEARS for ALL SHE’S BEEN TO ME; her beautiful, extended family; and the members of the family from which we come: THE RILEYS. I’m FULL of JOY for the MANY LAUGHS she presented – informing my own humorous gene and entertaining family gatherings since the beginning of my time. I’m FULL of GRATITUDE for the open-ended generosity she bestowed upon my cousins, siblings, and me – from birthday cards with money in them to care packages to those of us who went off to college or to the military or just away from home (and can I tell you that the contents of Cinammon Rolls and other sweet goodies that came from AUNT GOLDIE made them the best care packages EVER!). I am also TOO FULL to say much more without window-shield wipers for my weepy eyes and an interpreter to appraise what I have been trying to say from being choked up! But RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW – though virtually so – I SPEAK THE NAME OF: GOLDIE BEATRICE MARS – one of MY PERSONAL LEGENDS who made such a BIG DIFFERENCE in my life – simply for showing UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and COUNTLESS JOY that – though she’s dead now – will NEVER DIE! It will LIVE FOREVER as will my ENDLESS LOVE for AUNT GOLDIE! A FACEBOOK FRIEND once wrote this to me about one of the many holiday pictures I’ve shared of AUNT GOLDIE and me over the years. The poster writes: “Patrick, you take incredible photos constantly, but this one with this precious lady in red [AUNT GOLDIE], she looks like the description of what "love" means. An incredible treasure, I'm sure. I would love to have someone that made me feel that strong sense of "home and family": https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153408991298737&type=1&l=fa173e8110. INDEED. And AMEN!

 HOLIDAY PARTIES

1. SHOUT OUT to GMA Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo and her hubby Tommie Porter for a FAB tree-trimming set that kicked off the HOLIDAY PARTY SEASON! Plus, we toasted Ant's and my 10TH ANNIVERSARY together!

2. From there FAB FETE to MISS JESSIE'S! Was really excited to celebrate THE HOLIDAYS with friend and CEO/Co-Founder of MISS JESSIE'S, MIKO BRANCH, a CLASS ACT and endearingly known by me as #THEBOSS! So glad our year of partnership has been a major success - from Billie's Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley to#NABJ40 to #TITIBRANCH TRIBUTE: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153400518588737/?l=4351585039571061562, it has been a blessing to consult with MISS JESSIE's on select bookings and press; donation opportunities; and appearances… and have the village that has very much been a part of this movement in the house: Derrick Hemphill, Bernice Wooden, Carl Nelson, Lamar Johnson, Shenna Vaughn, and more! BEST TO YOU AND YOURS DURING THESE HOLIDAYS AND IN THE YEAR TO COME! We're looking to 2016 for more WIN-WIN WORK! #missjessies #happyholidays#allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

3. My SIDRA then threw her own tree-trimming set at her home! AGAIN, a well-curated guest list of our NEW YORK CITY family! SIDRA is the HOSTESS with the MOST!

STUFF TO SEE

1. MOTHER COURAGE: Shout out to Walk Tall Girl Production's own Marcia Pendelton for inviting me out for the first preview of MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN -#CSMOTHERCOURAGE - in previews at Classic Stage Company on 13th Street between 3rd Ave and 4th Ave. It opens top of Jan 2016 and currently runs through end of Jan. Stay tuned via @classicstage. Discount Code for over 40% off: MC35. MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN starsTony Award winner TONYA PINKINS, who as always, is AWESOME! But I'd be remiss if I didn't hip you that Broadway Fela's own Kevin Mambo and Cosby Show's Elvin - as in Sondra Huxtable's husband and father of Nelson and Winnie: Geoffrey Owens are but two SHINING performers in this play with music's stellar cast. RUN! DON'T WALK...to experience MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN!

2. THE HATEFUL EIGHT: SHOOT 'EM UP BANG BANGs are not my favorite genre of film. Yet, THE HATEFUL EIGHT is the 8TH FILM I've seen by renowned filmmaker QUENTIN TARANTINO because the mashup of cinematic genius and mad man wonder that has become his signature is just hard to resist experiencing - at least once. True to form, this flick stars my Morehouse brother Samuel Jackson who wasn't in the house for last night's PREMIERE at The Ziegfeld Theater (Filming in Hawaii, I believe they said). Still, the other SEVEN of the EIGHT HATEFULS were in the house - including KURT RUSSELL! CHANNING TATUM is featured in the project as well - exclusively presented in 70MM, which makes the experience even more than 3-D! NOTWITHSTANDING ad nauseum inclusion of the N-WORD ----- a TARANTINO staple ----- I did manage to stay awake and - overall - enjoy the OVER THREE HOUR FLICK, which has an OVERTURE and an INTERMISSION. GREAT WAY TO EXPERIENCE IT ALL - and with Ant and Miss Flo Anthony nearby as well as Arise Entertainment 360 colleague Shannon Lanier, what was there to do but eat that free popcorn and Coke (and Peanut M&Ms)... and YOU SHOULD EXPERIENCE IT YOURSELF: THE HATEFUL EIGHT is being released in North America on Christmas Day, EXCLUSIVELY in theaters equipped to project 70MM FILM. This MOVIE PALACE EXPERIENCE will live again in 98 theaters with an exclusive roadshow in the largest 70mm release in over 20 years. ENJOY, FOLKS! #THEHATEFULEIGHT #HATEFUL8#QUENTINTARANTINO #THENWORD

3. STREET TALK: You folks know I’m helping the producers over at Wendy Williams produce Metro PCS STREET TALK. Our first installment for the season was Thanksgiving. Take a look at it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uwBc_wEzTE.  Our December Holiday edition is out this week. ENJOY! LINK:

https://youtu.be/EGI3agscKDA.

AMERICA MEDITATING RADIO SHOW

I was invited this week to join Sister Jenna on the America Meditating Radio Show. Wonderful synergy! The interview broadcast this morning at 8 am ET and remains available via this link: http://tobtr.com/8165845. Though we spoke via the lens of SPIRITUALITY, I did mention some of my latest freelance work. GREAT INTERVIEW!

Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley sends our sponsor and dear sister friend and client Miss Jessie's MIKO BRANCH our #ENDLESSLOVE as today. #DEC4 is the one year anniversary since her sister and Miss Jessie’s Co-Founder Titi Branch's passing. At the top of this year, Miko asked me to sing Sylvester and Patti LaBelle "You Are My Friend" for the public celebration of her sister Titi Branch's life held at the Brown Memorial Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY:

https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153400518588737/?l=4351585039571061562

. A BEAUTIFUL, UPLIFTING AFTERNOON! We SHARE with all of you in memory of Titi Branch. Her LEGACY LIVES ON! And what a FRIEND and SISTER she was to so many! PLEASE SHARE your memories of #TitiBranch with #MikoBranch #MissJessies #lifeand #legacy #youaremyfriend #miss_jessies #missjessiesbook #titibranch #titigift#TitiBranch #RIPTitiBranch #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #pics #memories #video#remember #PATTILABELLE, #PATTIPIES, #JAMESWRIGHT, #JAMESWRIGHTCHANEL#SWEETPOTATOPIE #WALMART #OWNTV #OPRAHSMASTERCLASS #thebosschoir#mightysylvester #divassimplysinging #worldaidsday

Miss Jessie's is back atop our sponsors for Billie’s Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley! I’m also doing some brand ambassador work with#missjessies CEO and CO-FOUNDER MIKO BRANCH who is still promoting her book Miss Jessie's: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch-Naturally (Amistad; Hardcover; $24.99): https://youtu.be/RL-EqYvCAeI. As she is among the EBONY 100 today in Los Angeles, she is doing rounds of press – including “Breaking Into with Miko Branch” via Black Hollywood Live: https://t.co/NH6V0uQssC and a special shout out to my brother friend Derek Lafayette for inviting Miko to appear as a guest on the Rhythm Late Night Show, the prime time, top-rated, interactive program a live televised radio show (think: Dish Nation meets Howard Stern) that is filmed at Dream Magic Studios state of the art facility in Los Angeles, CA. We THANK MISS JESSIE’s for such an AWESOME PARTNERSHIP for Seasons 2, 3, and 4 of Billie’s Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley. BY THE WAY: I recently got to interview Shanice Williams for recurring client NBCBLK! That interview is here:  

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/shanice-williams-tonights-wiz-live-debut-n471616

Did you see THE WIZ LIVE? What did you think?

We hope the cast will come and sing with us at Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley! We’re always singing songs from THE WIZ:

Doctor Sister

MISS ROSS' sister Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee is SUPREME in the World of Medicine...and you are ALL INVITED TO  join me Tuesday, December 1st for a FREE PUBLIC TALK AND BOOK SIGNING with Author Crystal Emery whose crafted an initiative for us ALL to CELEBRATE and PROMOTE: It is a groundbreaking multimedia documentary project and educational initiative that celebrates the history, status and future of women of color in medicine. It designed to inspire young African American and Latino students across America to set their sights on careers in medicine and allied health fields in spite of stereotypes and obstacles. Changing the Face of Medicine follows the journey of Black women doctors from inequality to excellence. In telling the story of over 100 accomplished African American women in medicine who have achieved top positions and high honors in their fields, this initiative proves that anything is possible and shows youth a path of success in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. COME ONE COME ALL...and bring your FUTURE DOCTORS with you! IT WILL BE INSPIRING AND FUN! And I will make an appearance before I head up to Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley! WILL BE A FUN NIGHT! #missjesies #changingthefaceofmedicine #allstakaraoke #billisblack

Shenna Vaughn

ONE MORE MONTH OF TUESDAYS in DECEMBER before our SEASON 4 of BILLIE'S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY wraps! NEXT WEEK, we celebrate the DECEMBER residency of contemporary artist Shenna Vaughn who I recently commissioned to do a wedding vow gift for my dearest friends, GMA Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo and her husband Tommie Porter! PLEASE coome out and support Shenna, and get in on the FUN! Reservations are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: 212.280.2248.

New York Association of Black Journalists

Last week’s All Star Karaoke had our weekly sponsor MISS JESSIE's providing an array of special MISS JESSIE'S product and T-shirts for our SPECIAL TUESDAY NIGHT GUESTS: Members of the New York Association of Black Journalists - led by my brother friend President Mike Feeney, an awesome feature writer all around New York City! IT WAS QUITE A FAMILY NIGHT: INDUSTRY FAMILY of course! Mike brought his mom REBA! Our ALL STAR KARAOKE DIVA, celebrity hairstylist Carla Bone brought her buddies AND her mom Barbara and sister Cheryl Gentry of Glow Event Planning! Was quite the PACKED HOUSE - perfect for ushering in THANKSGIVING! We also got a surprise, smart phone call from ALL STAR KARAOKE ALUM, my friend Tichina Arnold, who attended when we were at Native Restaurant. She sent co-producers Dawn M. Haynes and Musa Jackson Productions to promote her performances in Harlem during Thanksgiving weekend. ONE MORE giveaway/raffle allows ALL STAR KARAOKE sound-design diva LAURIANNE LUMBSBY to get to see "Invisible Thread", an amazing musical running in pre-views now at Second Stage Theatre (on 43rd and 8th).

Sweetie Pie

THE OTHER WEEK, WELCOME TO SWEETIE PIE’s stars Robbie Montgomery and Tim Norman stopped by – to catch us up on the cookbook! Also, their new season of their OWNTV show: http://dailycommune.com/missrobbie/. So many came out - including my friend Candi Carter, Executive Producer at "The View"! #getready #billiesblack #motownmay #allstarkaraoke#thebosschoir #GRATITUDE #steps #shaquilleoneal#stepsthemovie #billiesblack

BIRTHDAY 45

I’ll never forget BIRTHDAY 45 because I saw my FILM DEBUT for the first time! Ant, my nephew Herman L Riley III, friends Rachelle and Verizon-fios TV reporter Lyndsey Christian, and a robust crowd gathered with the cast of #STEPSTHEMOVIE by Eddie Harris to see our labor of love as it is being pitched to which platform on which the world will be able to see the wonderful film. We gathered in Jersey City (Journal Square) to screen. Afterwards, we all gathered at Porto to celebrate. They even had a cake for “Rudy” (that’s my character…and since it was my birthday and all). And the karaoke set-up at the after-spot would inspire a request for Mr. All Star Karaoke – yours truly – to sing. I did Jennifer Hudson’s “Spotlight” and Miss Ross’ “The Boss”. I’d mentioned before AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST QAASIM MIDDLETON is in it too along with his brother KHALIL MIDDLETON. AND THEY ARE WONDERFUL! And BIGGEST of THANKS to EDDIE HARRIS and PENWAH for casting me in this amazing project – Co-Executive Produced by Shaquille O' Neal! Great BIRTHDAY GIFT - TO ME! For more info, go to www.Stepsthemovie.info. Shout out to#MISSJESSIES for its donation for the screening – also allocated to benefit several homeless shelters in the area. THANKS EVERYBODY for your well wishes and for supporting LIFE OF RILEY! #GRATITUDE #steps #shaquilleoneal #stepsthemovie #billiesblack#allstarkaraoke #MISS_JESSIES #MISSJESSIESBOOK #TITIGIFT #MIKOBRANCH

MIST HARLEM

I am just overflowing with #gratitude for those who came out to celebrate my 45th birthday at MIST HARLEM:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq1uovrAx0o! We had a BLAST! The pictures show all the love and joy that was in the room --- oozing out of my favorite people in the world – including my Ant (who – with the team at MIST – showed up and showed out for my special day); childhood BFF Ernest Maynor; GMA Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo and hubby Tommie Porter; #bevelations own hostess with the most Bevy Smith; NAACP Image Award winning producer Sidra Smith; celebrity hairstylist Carla Bone; #STEPSthemovie writer and Executive Producer Eddie Harris and fellow producer Michele Baldwin; Drums Along the Hudson producer Carl Nelson; Apprentice alum Stacey J; and a host of other dear friends and a mix of my New York City industry family – all who got in on the #allstarkaraoke and the delectable cuisine that was so lovingly prepared by Celebrity Chef Carlos Brown whose “famous shrimp and grits” were THE BEST! Shout out to #MISSJESSIES for its donation to the festivities.

STREET TALK

I get to work freelance with the team at recurring client ‘Wendy’ this season on the MetroPCS Street Talk segment. Our THANKSGIVING edition airs today on ‘Wendy’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uwBc_wEzTE.

SHANICE WILLIAMS

You know I’m obsessed with ALL THINGS THE WIZ – including TODAY’S NEWS: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/diana-ross-sings-songs-from-the-wiz-released-today-373271.  ALSO STAY TUNED: I recently got to interview Shanice Williams for recurring client NBCBLK! That interview will post soon! LOVE when NBCBLK calls! We hope the cast will come and sing with us at Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley! We’re always singing songs from THE WIZ:

BRAND NEW DAY - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOKtUdgTunQ

HOME - https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/vb.662073736/10153340104878737/?type=3&theater.  And EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/vb.662073736/10153338090793737/?type=3&theater.

THANKSGIVING

FOR THANKSGIVING 2015, New York City fam Brian Henderson and his wife Nikita Stewart Henderson (New York Times) hosted a well-appointed feast – including Brian’s childhood friend Dionne Figgins – performer/choreographer supreme and Motown the Musical’s own (Dionne is one of four sisters – all of whom are professional dancers and performers). Dionne’s current beau is Tony-nominated actor Brandon Victor Dixon who made for THANKSGIVING 2015’s star sighting! Always a pleasure to see him!

TICHINA

Tichina Arnold. Gin Fizz. 11/28/15. Harlem.

THANKS Musa Jackson for the GREAT NIGHT with Tichina Arnold...and your words here: "It was an epic night! My sister from another mister producer Dawn To Dusk Haynes along with host, promoter Musa Jackson debuted the amazing multi talented actress and singer Tichina Arnold new stage show at Gin Fizz in Harlem that brought the packed SOLD OUT audience to their feet! This Queens born native graced the stage and slayed it with an effortless combination of powerful vocals, stage mastery, comedic raw wit, a tight band featuring Romell her killer guitarist. She sang through a barrel full of iconic hits that off times rivaled the originals. Entertainment Industry insiders Ty Hunter, James Germany, R& B group Allure, Mira Gandy, Tammy Ford, Patrick Riley and Anthony Harper were amongst the crowd that cheered her on an hour pass her set. Harlem born r&b legend Freddie Jackson looking fabulous was unexpectedly called onstage, getting huge applause for his mega classic You Are My Lady. But this Harlem night clearly belonged to Tichina. She announced she will be touring big cities with new show. My suggestion get your tickets early, advanced word of mouth could easily have this show sold out on arrival. ‪#‎DawnTichinaMusa ‪#‎epic ‪#‎legendary ‪#‎night ‪#‎MyUptownWorld ‪#‎UptownHarlemAmbassador"

TITI BRANCH

Share your memories of  ‪#‎TitiBranch with #MikoBranch #MissJessies on Dec 4^th… and stay tuned for a SPECIAL TRIBUTE to #TitiBranch from Billie’s Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley. ‪#‎life and ‪#‎legacy #youaremyfriend #miss_jessies #missjessiesbook #titibranch #titigift

Hi fam!

A handful of SAVE THE DATES that I need you to consider --- pending details:

1. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17^TH – ALL STAR KARAOKE

WE’LL BE THERE TONIGHT and every TUESDAY OF COURSE…. but NEXT Tuesday, November 17th at "Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE" with Patrick L. Riley, we’ll START CELEBRATING my 45^th BIRTHDAY! SPECIAL GUESTS WILL BE IN THE HOUSE! Don’t forget to make your RESERVATIONS (whether tonight or any Tuesday) at Billie’s Black: 212.280.2248.

2. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19^TH – PATRICK L. RILEY BIRTHDAY & STEPS FILM SCREENING (in Jersey City)

Shaquille O'Neal is Executive Producer of STEPS by Eddie Harris – a wonderful film in which I got the chance to make my “film acting debut”. To all my LIFE OF RILEY VIPs, YOU ARE INVITED to this special private event, which includes a partnership with St. Lucy's Shelter, Christ Hospital, Ocean Ave Baptist Church, other invited churches and community service organizations. Also in the house: Miss Jessie’s! Arrive on time! 7:00pm Doors Open

Trailer: http://Vimeo.com/142798556

Teaser: https://vimeo.com/135097155

Additional links:

Website: http://www.stepsthemovie.info

RSVP here: stepsthemovie2015@gmail.com

3. Sunday, November 22nd at MIST: an ALL STAR KARAOKE birthday brunch of a pre-Thanksgiving menu by Celebrity Chef Carlos Brown. 

Please join us and RSVP here:

www.eventbrite.com/e/mist-harlem-presents-all-star-karaoke-and-brunch-with-patrick-riley-tickets-19319414890!

4. MY NEW YORKERS! SAVE THE DATE: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1^ST for details about a SPECIAL EVENT you are ALL INVITED TO ATTEND. It’s a 5p BOOK SIGNING of “AGAINST ALL ODDS: Celebrating Black Women in Medicine” by Crystal Emery

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/55554c6de4b075eeaec5736a/t/55cde72ee4b01e36b69c7e49/1439557436228/7.28.15+sampler.pdf.

IT WILL BE INSPIRING AND FUN to celebrate our DOCTOR SISTERS! And I will make an appearance before I head up to Billie’s Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley! WILL BE A FUN NIGHT! STAY TUNED!

5. IN PREVIEWS NOW!  “INVISIBLE THREAD” at SECOND STAGE THEATRE

DISCOUNT CODE: WICG …and get as low as $39-ticket per person, if you buy before December 2^nd.

SECOND STAGE THEATRE presents
In association with AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER

INVISIBLE THREAD
BY MATT GOULD AND GRIFFIN MATTHEWS
CO-CHOREOGRAPHED BY DARRELL GRAND MOULTRIE
CHOREOGRAPHED BY SERGIO TRUJILLO
DIRECTED BY DIANE PAULUS

Second Stage Theatre
305 West 43rd Street @ 8th Avenue

"An awesomely powerful musical that will thrill you to the bones." - CBS

Determined to find his place in the world, 20-something Griffin leaves his job and his New York City apartment to volunteer for a charity in Africa. But when his altruistic aspirations collide with the real world, his life is changed in unexpected and profound ways. Inspired by a true story, this rousing new musical infuses a world pop score with African beats in an electrifying journey about discovering whether changing the world is even possible.

INVISIBLE THREAD runs approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes including one 15 minute intermission.
The performance begins promptly and there is absolutely NO late seating.