A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

COZI-TV

After a blast on MSNBC last month; a reccent booking on BET's "Don't Sleep"; and other spot on-cam work, I was invited to talk about Blacks on Broadway on a LIVE, in-studio segment (5-minutes-or-so) for NBC News 4 New York's 7p show: 

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Pop-Culture-Expert-Patrick-Riley-on-Black-Broadway_New-York.html

. In a nutshell: "Motown: The Musical"; "The Trip to Bountiful"; and the "Pippin" revival; however, there are many other new offerings on Broadway this season: - including "Kinky Boots" (starring Billy Porter; music by Cyndi Lauper); and Deborah Cox comes back to Broadway opposite American Idol-alum Constantine Maroulis in "Jekyll & Hyde". News 4 New York's 7p is a one-hour show that is a combination of news, guest segments & lifestyle issues on cable station COZI-TV. This episode was hosted by NBC 4’s own Scott Stanford and produced by NBC 4’s own Tiffany Zeno – both TOTAL JOY! COZI-TV reaches more than 5 million homes & can be seen on Channel 161 on Time Warner systems. The show also simulcasts live on www.NBCNEWYORK.COM.

It is also available on other cable providers.

Here's the channel guide:

Cablevision 109 and 118

Time Warner Cable 161

Comcast 248 and 158

Verizon Fios 460

RCN 28

As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT and LOVE!

If you miss it, the segment will live on www.NBCNEWYORK.COM. (SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR BREAKING NEWS)

Please feel free to FORWARD and to let me know your thoughts.

MOTORTOWN PREVUE

What JOY and NOSTALGIA "Motown: The Musical" brought me on the first PREVIEW NIGHT earlier this week!

ADDED features to the special evening include: experiencing it with Ant; seeing my friend Brandon get called up by "Diana Ross" (as portrayed by Valisia LeKae) to sing along on "Reach Out & Touch (Somebody's Hand)" (Worth noting that he stumbled into his ticket no hour before the show yet SANG HIS BUTT OFF with "Miss Ross" [Great also to chat with Brandon Victor Dixon who plays "Berry Gordy"]).

I got to say HI AGAIN to Mr. Gordy.

Also, so many other GREATS were in the house - including:

Suzanne de Passe;

Jimmy Iovine; Dr. Dre; legendary publicist Ken Reynolds; singer and friend Phil Geston – fellow lover of all things ROSS;

costume designer Emilio Sosa (who I had the chance to interview him after a performance of one of his last shows "...By the way, Meet Vera Stark...");

and Marketing Consultant - my friend - Marcia Pendelton, often my passport to Broadway. Walk Tall, Girl! ESSENCE legend Susan Taylor (in attendance with her husband Khephra Burns) said to me "...this has never been done..." - referencing the palpable evidence of interest not only with the lines-around-the-block to this sold-out, first preview, but at closer inspection, one of the groups there was comprised of Detroit cops who filled a bus and drove in to see the first preview of "Motown: The Musical". My Spelman sisters Melanie and Tiffanie also traveled from Atlanta and Dallas respectively to see "Motown". Afterwards we did some karaoke at Yuki 55 - "Broadway baby Brandon" in tow - including, of course, some Motown/Ross, Wonder, et al!!!!

WWW.BLACKTHEATERONLINE.COM reports the following: We have received phone calls and emails telling us that code SMOKEY was not working or was not being accepted by Ticketmaster. The good news is -- the code is alive and well. The bad news is -- it may not be available on the date you want to attend a performance.

Here is the update:

Discount codes for MOTOWN: The Musical, including code SMOKEY, are no longer available for any performance in March. This does not mean that you can't buy tickets. It means that if you want to see the show this month, you are going to have to pay full or premium prices for tickets.

HOWEVER, there are performance dates when you can definitely use code SMOKEY. They are:

Monday 4/1

Tuesday 4/2

Wednesday 4/3 Evening

Tuesday 4/9

Wednesday 4/10 Evening

Thursday 4/11

Tuesday 4/16

Wednesday 4/17 Evening

Tuesday 4/23

Wednesday 4/24 Evening

Tuesday 4/30

Wednesday 5/1 Evening

Tuesday 5/7

Wednesday 5/8 Evening

Tuesday 5/14 Evening

Wednesday 5/15 Evening

Please remember that code SMOKEY IS BASED ON AVAILABILITY AND CAN BE WITHDRAWN AT ANYTIME WITHOUT NOTICE. The teeny tiny mouse print at the bottom of the gorgeous ad above gives you all of the restrictions. It is a good practice to read them before you attempt to buy tickets with any discount offer, including the ones from Black Theater Online.

Just as discount codes can be withdrawn at anytime, they can also be extended. Although the restrictions state that this offer is available through May 12, it has been extended through May 15.

We hope this clears up any questions about code SMOKEY.

Like we said when we sent out this offer back in February -- BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY. He/she who hesitates will be without tickets to MOTOWN: The Musical. Or, will wind up standing in the cancellation line at the theater trying to get one.

Tickets for MOTOWN: The Musical are selling fast. BROADWAY PREVIEWS HAVE BEGUN (as of yesterday): $49 (Mid Mezz/REGULAR - $87); $89 (Orch/Front Mezz/REGULAR - $137).

For tickets, visit www.Ticketmaster.com or call 877.250.2929: CODE: SMOKEY

WWW.MOTOWNTHEMUSICAL.COM

THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL

Earlier that same day, I popped by NYC’s famed Sardi’s Restaurant for a media morning with the cast of Broadway’s THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, which starts previews SATURDAY, MARCH 30TH and opens TUESDAY, APRIL 23RD AT the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 W 43rd Street). Over the last year, I’ve had great run-ins with the show’s stars (www.thetriptobountifulbroadway.com): Cicely Tyson (at B. Michael show, but I also interviewed her many times over the years for my Chicago client); Cuba Gooding Jr. (at Thurgood Marshall Foundation benefit, though I have interviewed him at the National Association of Black Journalists’ convention where he’s brought many films); Vanessa Williams (last week at Dance Theater of Harlem gala but have had nice media moments with her over the years); Condola Rashad (at Steel Magnolias premiere in NYC). With my invite to ‘meet’ the cast alongside other press, I did snap some shots of them on the step and repeat. Also, I enjoyed the company of hairstylist genius Chucki Amos - @CHUCKIELOVE – who did this day’s work on Miss Vanessa Williams - @VWOFFICIAL. ALSO, and as always, GREAT to see my fellow NYC journalist friends – including Jean Parnelle (once-Miss Hayes, the first teacher to give “little Alicia Keys” her singing confidence note when she cast her as Dorothy in the grade-school production of “The Wizard of Oz” – a point made recently on my recurring client OWN’s air (Oprah’s Next Chapter  - http://www.oprah.com/own-master-class/First-Look-Oprahs-Master-Class-with-Alicia-Keys-Video). JOIN ME at “THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL” – www.thetriptobountifulbroadway.com! BACKSTORY ON PLAY: The touching American classic, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, tells the story of Carrie Watts (Cicely Tyson), who is trapped in a cramped Houston apartment with her soft-spoken son (Cuba Gooding Jr) and self-absorbed daughter-in-law (Vanessa Williams), dreaming of a return to her home in the small Gulf Coast town of Bountiful, where she grew up and raised her own family. Fearing that she’s an imposition and chafing under her daughter-in-law’s watchful eye, she steals away with her latest pension check and heads home in the journey of a lifetime. The result is an unforgettable meditation on the idea of home and its power to sustain us. For more information via the social channels: www.facebook.com/BountifulBroadway and TWITTER: @BountifulBway and INSTAGRAM: @BountifulBway and YOU TUBE: www.youtube.com/bountifulbroadway and TWEET my friend @CHUCKIELOVE who does all the great DIVA HAIR these days! SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO: TOM WOPAT (Childhood favorite “Dukes of Hazzard” and so much more – especially from Broadway).

What a busy week! I’m on deadline with one client BET as I work with its creative team on content for its UP FRONT presentations in April. Been balancing work with other clients – spot shoots here and consulting gigs there. I even got an invitation to sing “Through the Fire” to Chaka Khan for her 60^th birthday, but the plans around those arrangements changed along with my serenade. A friend tells me “mercury is in retrograde”. Maybe… LOL!

girlfriendz

Shout out to Mara Brock Akil who received such an awesome honor Oscar week from Essence at its annual women's luncheon (presented to her by the original cast of "Girlfriends" I.E. Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White, and - wait for it - Jill Marie Jones AKA Toni Chiles whose character abruptly moved to NYC from LA and before the show went away, we never heard from her again). But I missed that event as I didn't get to LA until Friday for my Oscar-related business:  the Oscar Viewing Party - hosted by the African American Film Critics Association and the Robey Theatre Company. I enrolled fine liquor comany Remy Martin to partner with the groups' fundraiser to ensure all suitably quenched while the live telecast ran [Go J Hud!!!]). The one thing missing from the L.A. Center Studios set was Mara Brock Akil who I invited to the Oscar Viewing Party. But as I was hopping into Hollywood, she was heading to Atlanta to continue her work on her upcoming BET creation: "Being Mary Jane" starring Gabrielle Union (Stay tuned). But in addition to texting me her regrets, she made good on it: inviting me to sit at she and her fab director husband Salim Akil's table that they bought for the New York City-based Dance Theater of Harlem's Vision Gala (They were Gala Co-Chairs). Though in their absence, my "Amazing Grace" Nichole Andrews invited me to escort her...and BABY! WE HAD A BLAST! - an evening produced - in large order - by my friend Vernon! In addition to reconnecting to dear friends Terri Prettyman Bowles and her husband Alvin Bowles as well as many other friends Olivia Scott-Perkins(Omerge Alliance); publicist Gilda Squire; TV exec Sharon Nelson; colleague(at BET) Jeanine Liburd; EXTRA correspondent AJ; host of "Closet Talk" Chenoa Maxwell; Corcoran Group's Spencer Means (NYC real estate agent); journalist Lola Ogunnaike (and her brother who works at Amex where my nephew works); Salim's Uncle Rick; former N Boutique co-owner Larry; and a beautiful room of folks:

* to honor Vision Award Honoree Vanessa L. Williams (TOTAL FAV!!!!! And an even more profound treat seeing her daughter Jillian Hervey AKA Lion Babe - an aspiring singer/actress and current fashionista a la her mom's 'Right Stuff' era - present to her mom while Vanessa's mom looked on with pride. Jillian's latest video is all the rage with the young'ns: "Treat Me Like Fire":  www.youtube,com/watch?v=gNd2XAP_Pfo 

* to enjoy Eyewitness 7's Sade Baderinwa;

* to be in the presence of Opera diva Jessye Norman;

 * to be impressed byHonorary Chair Chelsea Clinton;

AND

* to be inspired by all the wonderful, young dancers! Indeed I was exhausted from our L.A. whirlwind followed by a quite full and demanding day with my client. But clearly, I found my second wind: The Colors of the Wind to be exact.

everybody loves sidra

Harlem BFF Sidra Smith attracted a ROOM FULL OF LOVE! Backdrop? Cedric’s for her birthday – including many of her NYC FAMILY MEMBERS i.e. Ant, Carl, Mara Schiavocampo, Tommie Porter, MISS NINA, Nathan Hale Williams (who brought actress Jennifer Lewis by to greet Sidra), Brian Palmer Washington, Micheala angela Davis, DJ Stormin’ Norman, Gordon Chambers (who has a show TONIGHT with Avery Sunshine at the Highline Ballroom: http://highlineballroom.com/show/2013/03/07/avery-sunshine-with-gordon-chambers/); As he serenaded Sid HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I joined in... and then we all cut up! LOL!), Eric Deon, Phedra Gremillon, Elisabeth Blix Lie, Ramon Hervey, Ary, Tracey Smith, and a host more. After brunch wrapped, we popped over to Billie’s Black and ran into even more well-wishers – including Kimberly Nichole and my nephew Herman L. Riley III. He was having a brunch with a few colleagues. Sid was thrilled to see him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIDRA! WE LOVE YOU!

love hangover

Y'all SAVE THE DATE(S) for my girl LaChanze who is presenting a LOVE HANGOVER to all of NYC! See this clip: https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=10200753000931783 “Stop! In The Name of Love”? or “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”?, La Chanze asks on this viral as she prepares to perform Love Hangover: Celebrating the Music of Diana Ross over THREE... NIGHTS in April at 54 Below (www.54below.com) ...: April 17, 18, & 22nd! I mentioned in a prior “…Life of Riley…” that my girlfriend LACHANZE is doing this special tribute (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2013/1/24/first-look-and-listen.html). When she originally told me, she said “knowing she’s your girl, I just had to share this with you. I'm so inspired and pumped up about it I don't know what to do…!!” Moreover, you know I bombarded her with recommendations of what she should sing. She says she’s doing sections for her set list: MISS ROSS’ #1s; MOVIES; JAZZ; SUPREMES (“Baby Love”; “Where Did Our Love Go?”; “I Hear a Symphony”; and only one more song can fit in the section: “Stop! In The Name of Love”? or “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”? WHAT SAY YOU? LACHANZE went on to say “… I LOVE HER! And while so many other legends have been celebrated, I can't think of one honoring her…” I LOVE IT!

black on black

Shout out to a dear friend Berlinda Garnett with whom I used to work at CNBC in the mid-‘90s. We were BFFs then and have stayed in touch through the years, even though I hadn’t seen her in a decade-plus. She popped into NYC from Philadelphia recently and what a reunion we had. She met me at my client BET’s Times Square office. This, while she is an UBER-PRODUCER of SPECIALS and great programming like “Good Day Philadelphia” (www.myfoxphilly.com). She’s produced and promoted a series of specials titled “Black on Black” which have been highly-praised and nominated for awards (I SMELL EMMY!).  YOU GO, BERLINDA! I’m so proud of you ALWAYS! Here are some links to her work: http://www.myfoxphilly.com/video?clipId=6980827&autostart=true And from “Black on Black… the Conversation Continues” - http://www.myfoxphilly.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7981645&clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass.

vy higginsen

My dear friend Vy Higginsen is celebrating the 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF "MAMA, I WANT TO SING" - the longest-running off-Broadway Black musical in theater history!  EVENT CHAIRS Lesley Stahl; Aretha Franklin; Chaka Khan; Cissy Houston; Shirley Caesar; Valerie Simpson; and show creator Vy Higginsen are doing a big RED CARPET on Saturday, March 23rd at The Dempsey Theater - 127 West 127th Street - Harlem. (The Gospel for Teens program will benefit; It was created to transform young lives through music and to pass on gospel as an art form so that the music never dies). For more information, click on www.mamafoundation.org.

merrell hollis

Shout out to my friend and Wendy Williams glam-squad best Merrell Hollis for his recent  2013 Bronner Bros. ICON Award presented By Clairol last month in Atlanta. Merrell is blowing up – working on many great projects – including his flawless foundation pro class that he teaches in Harlem. LOVE YOU, MERRELL! KEEP GOING! #flawlessfoundation

ken reynolds

I got to see friend and legendary entertainment publicist Ken Reynolds when I was out in Los Angeles. He was in New York City with two clients JU-TAUN (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Exist/110507328978273?ref=ts&fref=ts&rf=106390986063307#!/jutaun?fref=ts) and DC FAM (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Exist/110507328978273?ref=ts&fref=ts&rf=106390986063307#!/DCFAMBoston?fref=ts)! You’ll want to check them out – so don’t sleep!

will downing

Grammy Nominated Singer Will Downing is celebrating 25 Years of Recording Excellence with the Release of "Silver"! It’s out now! And what a wonderful reflection: http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Will-Downing/dp/B00B1E6FLM.

the tony rich project

Shout out to my friend Thornell Jones for reminding me about his client The Tony Rich Project’s "Speak Me", a new album coming May 2013. Pre-view new music at www.hiddenbeach.com/thetonyrichproject Pre-Order Now at http://www.hiddenbeach.com/speakme .

kenneth carr

Hey y'all! Check out my friend Kenneth Carr's video about the history and the evolution of his music! Share with your family and friends... and don't forget to LIKE it... Thxs! Stay tuned for the first release coming in a couple weeks.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HXv6nmqmG8

Oscar and Rémy Martin

Was in L.A. this weekend with recurring client Rémy Martin. I partnered the fine liquor company with my friend Gil Robertson's African American Black Film Critics Association for its Oscar Viewing Party - including other partners and friends. All fundraising benefits the Robey Theatre Company (http://www.robeytheatrecompany.com/). What a great night - including in attendance: Oscar nominee Viola Davis; the iconic Danny Glover; Tony-award-winning Obba Babatunde; A Different World's Glynn Turman; Judyann Elder (Gina's mom on "Martin"); Harold Sylvester (Dwayne Wayne's dad on "Different World"); Sheryl Lee Ralph's son Etienne; and a host of other actors and actresses of note. And several of my friends joined me: Itika; Will; Scott; Adolpha; Ern; and many more. Meanwhile, with childhood BFF Ern along for company, we also got to enjoy those cookies at The Doubletree Hotel; we got to hang out with my once-Chi-town BFF Itika Oldwine - and two of my favorite Directors of Photography friends Will Miller and Paul Hamilton - for catch-up; we enjoyed brunch at Pete's Cafe; (I've told you often about my friend Scott who works with Sheryl Lee Ralph) we got to attend his 40th birthday bash in Venice Beach (and to see great friends - including Scott's Tony; L.A buddies - including Henry; Spry; and the legendary publicist Ken Reynolds; make-up artist extraordinaire Valente Frazier [He's Tyra's main man and often 'beats' the faces of Nicole Ari Parker and Sidra Smith]; and a host of others); we got to go to the Grammy Museum for the 'Whitney Houston' exhibit (quite moving and I got to sing along with Whitney in the studio with Narada Michael Walden - a virtual recording game included in the beautiful and heartbreaking walk down memory land); we got to experience L.A. Live where the BET Experience at L.A. Live will take place June 28, June 29, and June 30 - starring Beyonce; and so much more (www.betexperience.com)! L.A. --- in the right dosage! Happy to back home in NYC! TO SEE MORE PIX FROM MY L.A. WEEKEND, please click here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151325515808737.465685.662073736&type=3&l=a22ba9042a

Where Did Our Love Go?

Speaking of my friend, Gil Robertson, He asked me to share his latest work “Where Did Our Love Go: Love & Relationships in the African American Community” with all of you! The tome features essays by an impressive array of prominent thought-leaders from the creative, religious, business and mental health communities. Each shares powerful insights on love & relationships in the African American community. This is Gil’s third anthology that examines crucial issues affecting the quality of African American life. The book is in stores now and Gil will be on the road to promote it throughout March and April. Go to www.wheredidrlovego.com for more information. CONGRATS, GIL! Great to see you in L.A.

MY FIRST LOVES

I’m on the Host Committee in support of two friends, filmmakers Dominga Martin and Monty Ross who are making the film MY FIRST LOVES – the campaign of which to raise funds is going on NOW! All donations are tax-deductible because of fiscal sponsor New York Women in Film & Television. Here’s the link to the campaign: www.indiegogo.com/myfirstloves "My First Loves" is a romantic comedy about a young woman who gets cold feet before her wedding day.  Written by Director, Dominga Martin and being produced by Monty Ross; the Producer behind Spike Lee's first 7 films. Our current goal is to raise awareness for the film, to raise funds and ultimately exceed the fundraising marker. @domingamartin @my1stlovesmovie @MRMontyRoss #myfirstlovesmovie Be sure to stop by the page often to share, or participate with all of the great things that we have coming up. https://www.facebook.com/MyFirstLovesMovie  

SO SO DEF TURNS 20!

Thanks to my Savannah homegirl and Spelman sister Tandi Reddick for sending me this REMINDER! YES, THAT'S KRISS KROSS and YES, that's me behind them at a listening party for XSCAPE (I think) in 1993 or 1994! Shout out to @Mr_Dupri & @sosodef on 20 YEARS! Before I was blogging and chronicling “…The Life of Riley…” (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog) and before the world was tweeting and facebooking, I was a recent graduate of Morehouse College. First gig was reporter trainee at WSB-TV! Then, competing station WAGA came a calling to hire me as one of its first producer hires for its new morning show “Good Day Atlanta” hosted by my friend Amanda Davis and Paul Ossman. More than the “LOCAL NEWS 101” of writing and stacking a newscast, I got my first entertainment clips for my reel and the privilege of interviewing, booking, and introducing many of the now-household-name players in the A-T-L MUSIC BOOM to the ‘local TV airwaves’ (including pre-Janet JD and Babyface & L.A. Reid’s LA FACE RECORDS; Dallas Austin’s ROWDY RECORDS; Keith Sweat’s crew; etc.) ---- all fertilizer on my overall brand as producer/talent/writer with a concentration in pop culture and entertainment. Jermaine Dupri’s SO SO DEF IMPRINT broke acts like Bow Wow, Da Brat, Kriss Kross, R&B group Xscape, and the list goes on. This weekend (Saturday), he plans to celebrate the occasion with a star-studded concert: http://www.ticketmaster.com/So-So-Def-20th-Anniversary-All-Star-Concert-tickets/artist/1823487.

FUNK JAZZ KAFE

Congrats to my Savannah homeboy Jason Orr who brought his documentary “Funk Jazz Kafe: Diary of a Decade” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u_QKXAn-gE) to New York by way of the 3rd annual “New Voices In Black Cinema” Festival housed at BAM Rose Cinemas (www.ActNowproduction.org). The film’s timeline is a soundtrack to my life and career – highlighting the beginnings of the ‘Funk Jazz Kafe’ (when I actually lived in Atlanta); the window in which my mother passed away (July 1994); the many magical moments for which I returned to Atlanta, once I moved to NYC in 1995. It turns out that Jason and I were in the same place for the same event 9/11 – a moment that not only changed the world, but changed the ‘‘Funk Jazz Kafe’ forever (I was hired by my dear friends Chandra Jones and Lamar Johnson to host the red carpet at its ROOTS tour in promotion of  Levi’s Engineered Jeans line – including acts like Musiq; Ledisi; and a host of other SOUL greats!). And yet, ‘Funk Jazz Kafe’ remains as a legacy and a forthcoming, new frontier of cultural landscape. Stay tuned! www.funkjazzkafe.com We made it a double date with one of my high school BFFs (and fellow industry mates) Maurice Marable and his lovely wife – fellow journalist – Karen Good Marable. We also continued childhood BFF Ernest Maynor’s birthday celebration while also joined by Morehouse BFF Michael K. Watts; my once-ATL social concierge and friend Lamoh Hicks; singer/songwriter extraordinaire Gordon Chambers; UPTOWN Mag EIC  (and Morehouse brother) Isoul Harris; former co-worker at CNBC and music manager Miles Anthony Williams; filmmaker Dominga Martin; and many more! CONGRATS, JASON!

HOLLYWOOD, HERE I COME (AGAIN)

Wish I could be in A-T-L to reminisce, but will instead be in L.A. this weekend. I enrolled the folks at Rémy Martin (www.remymartin.com/) - now one of my new, recurring clients - to partner with my friend Gil Robertson (pictured RIGHT from our time in New Orleans together at the National Association of Black Journalists). Gil presides over the African American Film Critics Association and his hosting its Oscar Viewing Party this Sunday: http://aafca.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Oscars.pdf. We’ll be rooting on our Hollywood favs and I’ll pour a little onto the red carpet for JD, SO SO DEF, and my A-T-L peeps!

‘FREE’ SIDRA

Actress Tasha Smith’s Twin Sister, Sidra Smith, produces groundbreaking documentary film, Free Angela And All Political Prisoners

Smith enlists Jada Pinkett Smith as Executive Producer and Codeblack/Lionsgate as distributor for theatrical release

LOS ANGELES, February 18, 2013 – Producer Sidra Smith is beginning the New Year with a bang. She is riding high on the success of her latest project, the powerful documentary film, FREE ANGELA AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS, which premiered at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival.  As such, she is employing her creativity and strategic thinking to help launch the film’s April 5, 2013 national release.

Sidra Smith is the identical twin sister of acclaimed television and film actress, Tasha Smith (“Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse”).  She is responsible for bringing aboard her longtime friend, Jada Pinkett Smith, as Executive Producer of the well-received documentary. In turn, Jada brought along her partners at Overbrook Entertainment: Will Smith, James Lassiter, and Ken Stovitz, as well Roc Nation CEO Jay Z, as Co-Executive Producers.  After Sidra screened FREE ANGELA for Codeblack Films CEO Jeff Clanagan, he felt the project was a viable property for Codeblack/Lionsgate for distribution.

As part of her strategic plan, Smith will enhance the youth appeal of FREE ANGELA.  She states, “Angela Davis is an important American hero and icon. She’s a living history lesson whose life is dramatic and compelling. It’s a film everyone needs to see.”

Codeblack Films, a Lionsgate company, has acquired the theatrical rights to the political crime drama documentary about social activist icon Angela Davis.  Through Codeblack Films’ partnership with AMC Theatres^®, FREE ANGELA AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS presented by BET Networks, will release exclusively at AMC locations in select markets on April 5, 2013.

 Producer Sidra Smith is a force to be reckoned with.  With more than 15 years of international and domestic experience in various aspects of film, documentary, television, stage, corporate production and advertising, she has become the go-to person for those companies and organizations in search of efficient, creative, and cost-effective services.  She is the Founder and President of Gate Pass Entertainment (www.gatepassentertainment.com), a full-service production company with offices in New York and Los Angeles.

For Sidra Smith interview requests, contact Joseph Babineaux of Perspective PR at (323) 389-6130 or joseph@perspective-pr.com.

 MR. GAINES

R.I.P. LOU MYERS! We LOVE YOU! And WE'LL MISS YOU! But we'll always tune into "Different World" and the DEN!

TO SEE MORE PIX FROM RECENT "...LIFE OF RILEY..." ENTRIES, CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151233407708737.458629.662073736&type=3&l=e4904390ed

GET READY

 Is this what I have to look forward to as I pop into Times Square for business everyday this Spring and beyond? http://www.motownthemusical.com/ MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL on BROADWAY is coming to town in a few weeks… and it’s SO EXCITING!

SUPERBOWL

Meanwhile, the muse of Motown lives on through SUPERBOWL and BEYONCE! On Superbowl Sunday, everybody asked "Who you rooting for, Patrick?" I'd retort "Beyonce!" And for her high-energy, bone-chilling performance last night, we know why! OKAY!!!!??? But I forgot I have a Baltimore Ravens tie-in: Congrats to Baltimore Ravens and New Rochelle's own Ray Rice who I had the chance to meet at a Boys & Girls Club charity event I hosted: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/ray-rice  a year or so ago. He attended and donated a lot of money and valuable auction items for a cause close to his heart - one that once benefited him personally: The New Rochelle Boys & Girls Club. CONGRATS, RAY RICE! Our annual Superbowl back-drop for the last few years has been our friend Irma who started our celebration of two Aquarian birthday peeps in our midst: Giselle and BFF since 7th grade, Ernest Maynor (BDAY BANANA PUDDING on deck! YUM!).

MINDFILE MULTIMEDIA

Last Monday required an early call-time for an assignment I was dispatched to do with my favorite Director of Photography and production company owner James Curry (www.mindfilemultimedia.com) who always brings with him the best (Today it was Joe & Chris)! Thanks guys! Glad we got the chance to break bread (as in delicious, buttery pizza crust atop a mound of pepperoni, sausage, and mushroom) from Bantam Pizza in Bantam, CT.

MISS ROSS IN HOUSTON?

On a week in which the world is abuzz about Houston native Beyonce's spectacular turn at the  Superbowl Halftime Show (and The Great White Way [AKA Broadway] is about to introduce "Motown: The Musical" to theater-goers the world over [www.motownthemusical.com/]), I coincidentally find myself in Bey's hometown to see one of her diva muses Diana Ross - Detroit's own - at the Arena Theatre (www.arenahouston.com) - one of her Texas stops on her current tour of one-nighters. My dear friend of many years, Lajuan, invited me and arranged the particulars (as he's a manager for the venue) - so, I just HAD to take a day away from my busy schedule to accept this gift to see Miss Ross once again and to ensure yet another SUPREME chronicle in "...The Life of Riley...". I flew in on the day of the show (and returned to NYC the following morning), but it was worth the schlep to see another AWESOME ROSS SHOW - including most of the hits (and a bonus: a special rendition of Kirk Franklin's "Smile"), lots of costume changes, and a most-present and connected ICON of ICONS: Miss Diana Ross! That said, she did fly through this show (She was still into it though) – leaving out some of her many treasures like "Endless Love", lots of Supremes songs, "Missing You", "Mirror Mirror", and more. But whatever Grammy-legend Ross sings of that impressive repertoire was all good for the Houston audience and me. Also nice to see many of my favorite, fellow ROSS fans I.E. Andreas, Bernard, and many more who -like me- flew into Houston just to see Miss Ross. Was also good to see one of my favorite background singers from Miss Ross' repository of talented vocalists, Natasha, who started with Miss Ross on the "Take Me Higher" tour. At the end, Diana appraised that she and the band's mission was accomplished - to bring smiles to our faces and to spread joy and good vibrations. After she re-entered the stage from having done her show-closer "I Will Survive" and enrolled the audience - from the round - to put our hands up in the air and sway back and forth to her 1st solo hit "Reach Out & Touch (Somebody's Hand)", it became crystal clear that the mark was met. Plus, I got the late night snack of life: the Southern staple "Waffle House" where my friend of many years, Lajuan Law, updated me on his own music. He is a musician/singer/performer whose upcoming  impressions include a fun Sunday night of R&B and soul with his band; studio/video recordings forthcoming; and a commitment to GOOD MUSIC. He promises I can share some of it with you - including dates and locations, once it all locks. Stay tuned! Thanks Lajuan! You're THE BOSS! Or the other one. LOL! I didn't get on the stage with Miss Ross this time. Am happy ALWAYS to be in her presence!

LIFE IS BUT A DREAM

#LifeIsButADream #Beyoncedocumentary Was almost-assigned to cover the red carpet for one client. That Hold was lifted. Still, I stumbled into an opportunity to still attend the premiere. Ant, my nephew Herman L. Riley III, and Morehouse BFF Michael K. Watts (who shot most of these pix) were also in the house. Also good to see my industry buddies, Beyonce's publicist Yvette Noel Shure (who graciously facilitated a meet-and-greet for Ant and me when he took me to Manila for my birthday a few years ago: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/11/12/manifest-destiny-destination-manila.html. Beyonce ended up serenading me HAPPY BIRTHDAY ("...where's my boy from America?...").    We love you ALWAYS, Yvette! Also from Bey's team, Scott Nylund....... and a host of special guests - including Solange; Angela Simmons, Arianna Huffington, Gayle King, Russell Simmons, ATL Housewife & supermodel Cynthia Bailey, and, my recurring client Oprah. Just a Tuesday in New York City! "Any questions?" LOL!

RHONDA

From seeing Bey's awesome new doc, which you don't want to miss (PREMIEREs Sat. 2/16 on HBO), Ant & I quickly transitioned to jazz supper club The Iridium to see MISS ROSS, as in RHONDA ROSS-KENDRICKS who - as always and of late - performed a brilliant set of her own songs and some awesome covers (Last Wednesday, I enjoyed MISS DIANA ROSS at a sold-out one-nighter in Houston at the Arena Theater). We have enjoyed seeing RHONDA back on stage - in her light. And what a LIGHT of LOVE and WOMEN EMPORMENT! GO RHONDA! On this night, her two dads were in the house: Berry Gordy, Motown Musical's own...and Bob Ellis! Was great to chat with Mr. Gordy briefly. Fun night... and so EXCITED to see Motown: The Musical (I told him). Here I am with his daughter and Motown's LEGENDARY MIRACLE, Claudette Robinson, Smokey's ex-wife.

BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN

My friend Olivia Scott – integrated marketing consultant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EZXnCGT7iM) – reached out on behalf of a charity recording that promises to be “Brighter Than The Sun”. In fact, that’s its title. The Global Relief Song for Hurricane Sandy & Typhoon Bopha is sung  by world renowned acid jazz UK band Incognito and powerhouse NJ vocalist Kelli Sae (formerly of Incognito & Count Basic). It launches globally Tuesday, February 19… and sets out to be an entertainment fundraising driver to rebuild communities left devastated from Hurricane Sandy & Typhoon Bopha. One hundred percent of the song’s net proceeds will benefit disaster relief charities Rebuilding Together and UNICEF UK. Per the success -- 20MM copies sold – of African famine relief song “We Are The World, experience has proven that people genuinely want to help others, yet many don’t feel they can or know how with so little themselves. This song which is only $1.29/.79€ provides people an opportunity to participate in the necessary rebuilding of these communities. Per CNN.com, Hurricane Sandy affected the homes of over 200K families and Typhoon Bopha left 1.2MM families displaced, leaving significant work still to be done. For this reason we chose two credible charities respected for their work in restoring communities and assisting victims of disaster, Rebuilding Together & UNICEF UK. PLEASE BE THE DIFFERENCE: http://www.amazon.com/Brighter-Than-The-Sun/dp/B00B9A7LTI/ref=sr_1_15?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1360336757&sr=1-15&keywords=incognito AND https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/brighter-than-sun-feat.-natalie/id598785775?ls=1.

KIM COLES

Shout out to my girl Kim Coles whose WONDERFUL one-woman-show "OH, BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE..." is ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS and FUNNY! One to - for sure - see when it hits your town or next hits L.A. or NYC! LOVE YOU, KIM!