A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Yesterday afternoon, my dear friend Nichole and I decided to meet in Harlem at Native Restaurant for a quick drink. We would need to be "hydrated" for the adventure that was ahead of us. Native is a bistro-style restaurant with bar that sets unpretensiously on the corner of Lenox Avenue and 118th Street. 

Open since 2002, I've gotten to know the owner Brian Washington-Palmer well and have made Native one of my watering holes, where I can grab a cocktail and some light bites (like the salmon/crab cake and the calamari). But most importantly, everybody knows my name (though some new staffers had to be brought up to speed yesterday. It had been a minute since I'd been there.). From Native, Nichole and I popped by "MY" N, the boutique in Harlem that I love so much. (http://nharlemnewyork.com) The store was hosting a trunk show and cocktail party. Though Nic and I weren't able to stay long, we did take time to enjoy the tasty sangria that was being served from the courtyard in the rear of the main floor. With drink in hand, we enjoyed the cutting-edge tailoring of "American Chang" blazer and sportscoast. From patchwork to hoods, this contemporary sportswear impressed us. And inevitably, I will own one because I love a unique jacket. (http://americanchang.com/)

With one more stop before our main event, Nichole and I walked just a block down 116th Street (towards 5th Avenue) to celebrate and toast Broadway diva Brenda Braxton, who is currently churning out a 'great white way' performance as Velma Kelly in the Broadway revival of Chicago (She played opposite Usher during his successful run in the musical. But more than that, she's a legend on the stage - from her roots as a swing in the original "Dreamgirls" to being one of the Jelly's Last Jam "hunnies" to her Tony Award-nomination turn in Smokey Joe's Cafe.

Now, with her husband, power fitness trainer Anthony Van Putten, she is the co-owner of BBraxton, a men's grooming salong that opened last night. There to ring in this new frontier of high-end pampering for men in Harlem: TV/film/stage actress Tamara Tunie and her husband, Gregory Generet, jazz singer - both of whom are always so kind to me since Tamara and I had the chance to work together on a project for the Acapulco Black Film Festival many years ago (She plays Jessica on "As The World Turns". Needless to say, I was gushing when - because I didn't know her real name - she walked into the recording studio, where we were to do voice-overs and - in the flesh - "It was Jessica!!!". I was so excited.). Sinice that time, I've cooled, and she has been nothing but cool as we've uncovered we have friends and causes in common. Amazing vocalist and all-around sweet woman Marva Hicks was there, escorting all the V.I.P.s around. (After Nichole and I left, I understand Mrs. Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, was there along with fellow Broadway and entertainment ladies like BeBe Neuwirth, Lilias White, Kim Fields, and a host of others. I did get a chance to meet Huey Lewis of Huey Lewis & The News fame ("If This is It!!! Remember that???). I loved them and him (quietly) in the '80s and as I was just holding court amongst those I did know, he walks up to me and says "Hi! I'm Huey!". I respond "Are you kidding? I know who you are. I'm Patrick and it is a total honor to meet you!" He shrugs my humility off and we talk a little further about the opening and how nice the space is. Actually, the salon occupies 2,000 square ft. of the storefront in one of Harlem's first “green” luxury high-rise condominiums. The BBRAXTON men’s salon combines the atmosphere of a traditional gentleman’s club, a barbershop, and spa, offering services such as straight-razor shaves, haircuts and styling, reflexology, shoe shining, and skin care. Patrons can also catch up on the news and style at the newsstand while feeling at ease as they have their hand and foot needs addressed. The salon also features a state of the art audio system and flat screen panels- ideal for the all important playoff games, when the need arises. Men also have the opportunity to try out and stock up on products by The Art of Shaving, which will be exclusively sold in Harlem at BBRAXTON. Before Nichole and I had to get to our next destination: another (for me) private, pre-screening of my new favorite movie "DREAMGIRLS", we ran into the original CC (Effie White's brother): Obba Babatunde, who played the role opposite Jennifer Holliday on Broadway (He's in the above picture with                               Brenda Braxton and Huey Lewis). Imagine my pop ^{_{culture radar at work, when in seeing the film for the second time, I realized that Keith Robinson, who plays CC in the movie, was the not-quite-but-close son-in-law of Obba Babatunde's daughter "little Dee Dee" (Essence Atkins) on the now-defunct (and I'm still upset about it) "Half & Half". (By the way, CC is the part I feel I can play, if I couldn't get cast as "DEENA".... or "EFFIE"! SMILE!). Shoot, I can just do a one-man- show, if you don't watch it. "DREAMGIRLS" showcases a few 'cameos' or 'small parts' from black sitcom royalty, like Jaleel White ("Family Matters" Steve Urkel and "A Different World"s Dawnn Lewis). But more than those sightings, I again uncovered the magic that is Jennifer Hudson when I watched and discovered her on "American Idol", but reinforced when I had the opportunity to interview her and be an audience with her at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Indianapolis. Have I mentioned that                        before???                         SMILE!). But above all, the magic that is "Dreamgirls" just comes through on the big screen and takes full hold of the audience, which cheers and applauds in all the right places. It's an awesome, collective experience. Yet again, I found myself not able to breathe for all of the showstopping scenes from the amazing                                          cast. Enough will be written about the film and the details around it. I just want to reinforce how much joy it is bringing me to experience this film realized. And this time, I happened upon two people that I had never met, but knew (kinda'). Ed Gordon and my friend CJ, who is a producer for Ed Gordon's "Our World with Black Enterprise", saved a seat for my Nichole and me. As I sat down, the guy next to me and the young lady next to him spoke. I joked that they must be big "Dreamgirls" fans because                                             I might break out in song and need some back-up singers. The guy pointed out that he and his companion for the evening were both in a New Jersey version of "Dreamgirls" a couple of months ago (She was a Stepp Sister and he was Tiny Joe Dixon, two acts from the amateur night that introduces the audience to The Dreamettes for the first time). Instinctively, I felt like this guy was the person my friend from Detroit, Greg Dunmore, had introduced me to via phone after Greg met 'a guy who was in a New Jersey version of Dreamgirls'. Keep in mind, there are endless male parts in this piece, but I felt (with no description or extensive background from Greg to support my hypothesis) that this was the guy. And when I asked him if he knew Greg, he said YES! And then, he said "You're the guy he told me about!". From there, I got his name                                                                  Herve, and he handed me his CD "number 1" as he is a recording artist as well.(www.herve.fm). We all bonded immediately and by the time the lights went down, we three were able to harmonize and sing in moments where we just couldn't control ourselves. (Perhaps Ed Gordon regretted sitting so closely as he tried to enjoy the movie? Maybe But he was most gracious and kind to let me have my moment without ruining his experience.) Afterwards, I ran into Vogue's Editor-at-Large Andre leon Talley with whom I've had a chance to collaborate on a shoot or two over the years. Sporting a fabulous fur piece under his collar (couture, no doubt), he enthusiastically approached me with a hug on Broadway, just in front of the Lincoln Square theater where we saw the film. He ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT (as did I). And he pointed out that he was definitely going to see it again. I noted that I intended to see it 12 times before 2007 (kind of a 12 days of Christmas kinda' thing). Well, 2 down and 10 to go, I hope to be at the premiee on the 4th of December and then I plan to participate in the road tour of "DREAMGIRLS" in which they will make it available to audiences in New York, L.A., and San Francisco ten days before it goes nationwide. December 15h is the premiere of that marketing franchise. And I am of course, there... front and center (with popcorn and a Coke in hand).                           As a post-script to the night, Nichole, C.J., and I met my friend Carl back uptown in Harlem at Ginger, where I met my friend Carl back uptown in Harlem at Ginger, were my friend and personal shopper/stylist at N, Jamar Dunnigan, hosts a Wednesday hang where many come out and enjoy the healthy asian cuisine. (Many segued over to Ginger from BBraxton's grand opening). But we were also celebrating Jamar's debut on BET-J's "My Model Looks Better Than Yours", hosted by Eva Pigford, (whose last name and management are scheduled to change by week's end). So, to stay current, we'll just call her "Eva the Diva". Jamar competed with two other stylists in a contest that challenged them to style their respective models as a futuristic "Dominique Devereaux". Though Jamar didn't win on this episode, he rocked his model out. She was absolutely fierce, and - to me - looked the most like Diahann Carroll as one of her most popular characters (circa 2050). The show is created and executive produced by Sean Joell Johnson and Nathan Hale Williams, two powerful young me I've gotten to know socially over the last year and I'm proud of what they are achieving here. Also, Best-selling author and TV                                              personality Crystal McCrary Anthony is a co-executive producer.}}