A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

So my call-back did come from the "Don't Sleep" (Hosted by T.J. Holmes), after my taping last week (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/9/28/arms-open-wide.html). An 11th hour booking switch, though, bumped me. So, I'll await the next call for my LIVE close-up now that the show has begun. But soon come: I'm so PROUD of TJ and recurring client BET for taking this bold new step - respectively – for their brands!

That said, my evening freed up to join the cast of Lifetime's "Steel Magnolias" and its Director, my friend and mentor from my Atlanta days, Kenny Leon.

So many friends and associates were also in the house - including my Flo Anthony; Audrey Bernard; Erika Munro Kennerly;

KJ Rose; Carl Nelson; Kai Wright; Katrina Boswell; Kevin "Moochie" Freeman; Mrs. Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee; Carolyn Edgar; George Faison; T; etc. But the stars of the night were the stellar remakes cast: Phylicia Rashad;

Alfre Woodard; Queen Latifah; Jill Scott; Condola Rashad; Adepero Oduye;

and the actor who portray's "Shelby's husband". #SteelMagnolias #Lifetime www.mylifetime.com/movies/steel-magnolias.  I get scared of REMAKES, but LET ME TELL YOU: THIS IS A MUST-SEE AND YOU BETTER BRING YOUR KLEENEX! I LOVED IT!

Other pix from that fun night: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151075847748737.435111.662073736&type=3&l=e0093edbb1.

CYNTHIA BURGOS & CLOSET TALK TV

We had to hop up to Harlem to support our Cynthia Burgos at the Adam Clayton Powell State Building where her work is featured in another community exhibit: “From Slavery to Presidency”. You’ll recall, she and Ant participated in the last Basquiat-inspired exhibit that took place in the same place: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2011/8/20/art-and-annual-therapy.html. Meanwhile, here’s the latest “…Life of Riley…” entry: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2011/8/20/art-and-annual-therapy.html. Shout out to my Spelman sister and recent fellow producer on a special project at BET that was recently nominated for the Pro Max award (A video tribute to Women in the Civil Rights Movement: http://csftp.bet.net/fileview/2569_Reel2_IWasHere_CUT5_FINAL_Mix.zip), Kirsten Magwood (AKA @dcflygirl)& my New Ro buddy Mrs. Chenoa Maxwell (AKA @ChenoaMaxwell) on their new project CLOSET TALK TV (@ClosetTalkTV): http://www.closettalk.tv/. I’m tuning in & crawling into that closet someday soon! LOL! CONGRATS LADIES!

ANOTHER BDAY & BON VOYAGE

Great day with our girlfriend Elisabeth and all of our many friends – including Carl Nelson – as she prepares to head back to Norway. Later, we joined my Amazing Grace Mara Schiavocampo at Yatenga French Bistro in Harlem where a fun group came out to TOAST and DINE with OUR MARA! Happy Birthday, MARA! And BON VOYAGE, Elisabeth! XO

HARLEM FOOD BAR

Hey folks! Happy Tuesday EVERY Tuesday with my friend Jamar Dunn who offers up $5 drink specials; $5 appetizers; and a room full of eye candy! HARLEM has a Tuesday hang now to which you must come and JOIN US some time at Harlem Food Bar: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151165173230983&set=a.10151142461645983.421142.673660982&type=1&theater. Shout out to my buddy Ryan T. Hall who is host of “Stereotypes” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOnFME-n048. He hits the streets of New York for Season 2 on the i am OTHER channel. Subscribe to i am OTHER on YouTube to stay updated on our daily releases: http://www.youtube.com/iamOTHER. Videos, news and more: http://www.iamOTHER.com/ Like i am OTHER on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/iamOTHER Follow i am OTHER on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/i_am_OTHER.

SAHARA DAVENPORT

"RuPaul Drag Race" contestant Sahara Davenport passed away this week. WHAT A LOSS: heart failure at 27 years of age! I met HER a year or so ago at a Joan Rivers party in Manhattan! SO NICE! SO TALENTED! R.I.P. http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2010/3/15/easy-breezy-george-and-weezy.html