WELCOME to "The Life of Riley" which will include periodic chronicles of pop culture and possibilities that flow out of Patrick L. Riley's day. That's me!!! Through blogging (and soon some other technological features on which I'll keep you posted as they launch), I will pull experiences from my busy life to entertain and inspire all of you. Through this site, I will share my observations and insights. Some features to look forward to:
1.) "PATRICK'S POP UP(DATES)" will feature stories from pop culture, music, theater, fashion, and the entertainment industry at large.
2.) "The Life of Riley" will also introduce a "take-a-look-at-your-life" section (READ: sort of an advice column), where I will help readers come up with their own questions and answers around what "ways of being" are working (or not working) to have them acheive their respective goals and live their best lives. This section is called "WHO YOU BE?".
3.) Additonally, there will be a free-flowing, organic section called "TESTIFY" from which I will pull from my own life's journey to share and hopefully inspire. Some of the fare may be new musings and experiences. Other times, I may pull from my journals and past sharings to shed light on some uncomfortable truths that I've experienced and that may perhaps play a role in healing someone else's wounds as the real-life experience did for me. From my experience of covering 9/11 as a freelance journalist to courageously coming out (as gay) to my family, "TESTIFY" promises to move those who choose to read it.
4.) And a section titled "PR" (like my initials, but also like "public relations") will include press clips from any coverage I get.
Entries in All Star Karaoke (29)
fortyfives
INCLUSION SHOW
PATRICK L. RILEY on latest episode of “The Inclusion Show” on “Soul of the South” Network:
http://www.theinclusionshow.com/inclusion-show-wallace-ford-patarack_riley/ - “The Inclusion Show” with Wallace Ford had me on Soul of the South Television Network a month or so to discuss EMPIRE and the images of African Americans in Hollywood throughout time: http://youtu.be/tZ1EGcqbb90.
Now, look for me on a monthly basis as a pop culture contributor --- having just taped another episode that will run this weekend. We'll talk more Empire, Shonda Rhimes, Diversity in Hollywood, and TV on DEMAND. #theinclusionshow #soulofthesouth #ARISETV360 #ARISENews #EMPIRE #FOXTV #shondarimes #scandal #thecatch #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #motownmay
4 MORE TUESDAYS LEFT!
The rain didn't keep BILLIE’S BLACK presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley from being THE PLACE TO BE – for singing, eating, drinking, and snagging some product from our sponsor MISS JESSIE’S.
Week 8 was a BLAST!
First, my surprise came in the form of MY COUSINS Gloria and Dwayne Arvinger who stopped by and got in on the fun! 
I LOVE Y’ALL!
And my dear friends, "Cheetah Girls" author Deborah Gregory - with her brother Edgar in tow 
(He turned it out! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EDGAR! LOVE YOU, DEBORAH!);
film/TV producer/writer/podcast host Nathan Hale Williams, actress La Rivers, celeb hairstylist Carla Bone, Chef Roble & Co’s Artie Thompson - ALSO A BIRTHDAY BOY,
Zenbiz Travel’s Laurence Pinckney, and makeup artist for the stars Merrell Hollis --- ALL stopped by with great things to share:
Nathan’s Directorial Debut, Love for Passion, is an Official Selection at the Manhattan Film Festival...For more info: http://www.independentfeatures.com/view-screening/677 and Artie Thompson has a show at Metropolitan Room Saturday July 11th: http://metropolitanroom.com/event.cfm?id=193848.
BILLIE’S BLACK presents ALL STAR KARAOKE is going through Tuesday, July 14th.
PLEASE COME JOIN US Tuesday, June 23, the 9th ANNIVERSARY of BILLIE’S BLACK!
It will be ALL STAR KARAOKE as usual with several surprises + we’ll toast my Morehouse College BFF Michael K. Watts 45th Birthday while welcoming my high school BFF Natalie Shinhoster Palmer out for ONE NIGHT ONLY of Billie’s Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley.
RESERVATIONS are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:212.280.2248.
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in All Star Karaoke, Billie's Black, Cheetah Girls, Father's Day, Frenchie Davis, Invisible Life, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, The Real
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purple
purple
Some know but I’ll share again:
Ant and I met the opening night of “Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple”. 
He was covering it for STARZ. 
I was covering it for aforementioned title producer’s talk show. 
At Chelsea’s Pier 59 as the backdrop, we got to hang out with the ladies on their first day together: 
Cynthia Erivo as Celie (She played the part in the London run); Jennifer Hudson as Shug (EGOT anyone? She has the Oscar and the Grammy); 
and Danielle Brooks of “Orange is the New Black” FAME as Sophia. #thecolorpurple
all star karaoke
Hope we can get Miss Hudson and the ladies up to Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley. We are UP AND RUNNING through mid-July! 
Join us next Tuesday for some special giveaways – including MISS JESSIE’s and a raffle for tickets to see the APOLLO THEATER's staged adaptation of E. Lynn Harris' New York Times best-selling debut novel "Invisible Life"….
This week was a BLAST! We welcomed another group of business journalism interns under the leadership of my NABJ brothers Will Sutton and Garry Howard. Shout out to the #DJNFbiz15 – the Dow Jones News Fund Business Internship program…
…we toasted and serenaded our ALL STAR KARAOKE show-runner Derrick Hemphill…
…and we welcomed singer Kylie Marcus Blue who sang her new single WONDER – available on I-Tunes and all platforms.
HERE'S A HIGHLIGHT VIDEO:
ALSO IN THE HOUSE: Celebrity designer Indashio came, saw, and conquered --- with the promise to return! MUCH LOVE!
Was also a treat to have ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 CO-HOST SHANNON LANIER in the house! I fill in for him at ARISE 360 when he's away.
Now, we must get MISS LOLA OGUNNAIKE and the rest of the ARISE gang to come hang out at ALL STAR KARAOKE.
COME JOIN US NEXT WEEK – prepared to sing your favorite DIVA in the first hour of the night. We’ll have a “little giveaway” for the participant who BRINGS IT!
RESERVATIONS are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – if you want to sit and enjoy some SOUL FOOD & COCKTAILS! 212.280.2248. #DJNFbiz15 #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke
nectar imperial rose
Shout out to BFF Derrick Hemphill who invited me out to his birthday celebration extension: a Moet & Chandon-sponsored TOAST (of Nectar Imperial Rose - one of my FAVS!). The event at Cipriani was to introduce Nectar Imperial Rose's FIRST CREATIVE COLLABORATION: LIMITED EDITION BY MARCELO BURLON! FUN ROOM of GREAT FRIENDS and INDUSTRY BUDDIES I've not seen in a minute. 
ALSO IN THE HOUSE: my EVERY-STYLISH & GQ NEPHEW: 
HERMAN L. RILEY III. FUN to stumble into him... and a hang a bit! XO #MOETXMARCELO
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in All Star Karaoke, Dow Jones News Fund Business Internship, JENNIFER HUDSON, Kylie Marcus Blue, Moet & Chandon, Orange is the New Black, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, The Color Purple, Trey Songz
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wonder
Kylie Marcus Blue
My girl Michelle Sanchez Boyce is working with another awesome artist Kylie Marcus Blue… and bringing her to BILLIE’S BLACK presents ALL STAR KARAOKE this Tuesday, June 2nd to karaoke with us and to let us hear her new song “Wonder”. 
PLUS, Kylie will catch us all up on her upcoming plans! Kylie is HOT! Check out her EPK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtiOogGOV1w. FOLLOW KYLIE NOW: @kylie_marcus.
One of the love interests in the video is Don Benjamin who was recently on America’s Next Top Model. He has over 1M followers on IG @itsdonbenjamin.
Come join us this Tuesday, June 2nd to meet Kylie and more! RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: 212.280.2248… or please be flexible and patient for standing room pending any cascading avails throughout the night! THANKS TO EVERYBODY FOR THEIR WEEKLY SUPPORT! WE ARE HAVING A BLAST!
INVISIBLE LIFE
On Tuesday, June 30th ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley will host the closing night show of Invisible Life The Musical Afterparty at Billie's Black, 271 W 119th St, New York, NY 10026. Join Global Network of Black Pride, Circle of Voices & Tammy Peay for a summer of fun on the last day of 'PRIDE' Month. For Additional Information & To Purchase Tickets: http://gnbp.s424.sureserver.com/invisible-life or RSVP Tickets with Richard E. Pelzer II at gn.blackpride@gmail.com.
Shout out to Proteus Spann. Glad to see my friend Stanley Bennett Clay involved – adding lyrical magic to the gurus of composition: 
Ashford & Simpson. Was blessed to hear some of this music several years ago at The Apollo for a staged reading. 
Now, it’s show-time! RIP E. Lynn Harris. 
He’ll be thrilled to see the “Invisible Life” cast include: Broadway’s Brenda Braxton AND MISS Frenchie Davis – two powerhouses!
DJNFBiz15
THIS PAST WEEK was OFF THE CHARTS! 
Shout out to one of my National Association of Black Journalists' mentors/Past NABJ President Will Sutton for bringing the Dow Jones News Fund Business Reporting Internship Program to Harlem for Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley. VIDEO CLIP: http://bit.ly/willsutton_ask_plr. Will heads up Grambling State University's journalism school.
He came in tow with about 20 program participants - recent graduates from an array of colleges and universities across the nation. They all trekked up from their facility at NYU to to see me and ask many questions about what I do, how, with whom, etc. They took lots of notes... and then, ENJOYED the SOUL FOOD, the KARAOKE (YEP! THEY SANG! LOL!), and quite the networking room
- including our sponsor MIKO BRANCH from MISS JESSIE'S who brought a fun group of folks to get in on the fun and meet the kids.
Plus, she helped me co-present the MISS JESSIE'S giveaways! PLUS, we all broke out in song as well! VIDEO CLIP: http://bit.ly/miko_ask_plr.
Special shout out to ROB WELLS, a professor at Maryland, who is working with #DJNFBiz15 as well.
ALSO IN THE HOUSE: A host of our ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULs and a lovely group of new ALL STAR KARAOKE FRIENDS – including Choreographer & Creative Director Victor Jackson who designs the moves for many of the music stars out today, from Iggy Azalea to SWV to Jennifer Hudson!
AND CAN I TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I WAS TO HAVE – FOR THE FIRST TIME – MY BELOVED MOREHOUSE BROTHER ISOUL HARRIS – UPTOWN Magazine’s Editor in Chief – IN THE HOUSE! #bossbitches 
We never know who will pop by – so please come out and EXPERIENCE Billie's Black Gourmet Soul presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L Riley. 
RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: 212.280.2248. #AllStarKaraoke #motownmay #billiesblack #iammissjessies #theboss
THE INCLUSION SHOW
“The Inclusion Show” with Wallace Ford had me on Soul of the South Television Network a month or so to discuss EMPIRE and the images of African Americans in Hollywood throughout time: http://youtu.be/tZ1EGcqbb90.
Now, look for me on a monthly basis as a pop culture contributor --- having just taped another episode that will run this weekend. We'll talk more Empire, Shonda Rhimes, Diversity in Hollywood, and TV on DEMAND.
I’ll send the link when they send it. #theinclusionshow #soulofthesouth #ARISETV360 #ARISENews #EMPIRE #FOXTV #shondarimes #scandal #thecatch #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #motownmay
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, All Star Karaoke, Billie's Black, Don Benjamin, Empire, Kylie Marcus Blue, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Soul of the South Network, Wonder
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spring one five arises
spring arises
ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 had me on a few more times this past week 
– including a reunion with my friends Lola Ogunnaike and Shannon Lanier, the show’s hosts.
We were BACK TOGETHER AGAIN to talk BROADWAY & OFF-BROADWAY! https://youtu.be/54sUbyIDkiI. 
Additionally, I filled in for Shannon on another day – including interviews with New York Times bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey (https://youtu.be/jCgLNbWcof8);
“Gotham” series star Zabryna Guevara (https://youtu.be/p5RjQ9-YjuM);
and “The Scorpion” series star Eddie Kaye Thomas (https://youtu.be/L9q6XabEpEI).
I’ll be filling in a few more times over the next few weeks! YOU can watch (and me from time to time) 
- now on Time Warner, Verizon Fios, and On Demand...
www.YouTube.com/AriseENT360. As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!#arise360#allstarkaraoke #billiesblack p.s. Special shout out to Mara Schiavocampo who sent students from the University of Maryland chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. 
harriette cole
I was too excited when Harriette Cole asked me to be a guest on her web series The Root: Bring it to the Table, which churns out its FOURTH SEASON next Month! Harriette – also the show’s Executive Producer – has been an industry buddy for years. 
So good to discuss FAME: the great things and the pit falls in my episode which will run on www.TheRoot.com and will be distributed via the site and social media when aired.
Miko Branch
PLEASE don’t forget to join us – starting Tuesday, April 28th at 7p for Billie’s Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2015/4/9/cookie-and-jamal-rock.html. We are too excited.
Meanwhile, our beloved sponsor Miss Jessie’s will be back in the mix. And I am excited to be interviewing Miko at one of her book launch events next Saturday, April 25th in Bed Stuy. Please see flyer and come out and join us! #iammissjessies #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack
Curtis Smith
Hi folks! You should already know who my industry buddy Curtis Smith is as our mutual friend, makeup extraordinaire Merrell Hollis of MAKEUP by MERRELL fame brought Curtis to Billie's Black presents All Star Karaoke with @Patrick Patrick L. Riley last season (We’re starting back up Tuesday, April 28th from 7p to 10p, by the way!). But Curtis Smith - master groomer and barber behind his recurring clients Diddy and Usherj- is starting up as CELEBRITY JUDGE this Friday on Cedric's Barber Battle – Cedric The Entertainer’s new barber reality competition show. The CW bought 10 episodes which will run every Friday from 8p-8:30p. CEDRIC’S BARBER BATTLE sets out to capture the unique culture that exists in barbering communities across the country. Blending craft with comedy, CEDRIC’S BARBER BATTLE will visit different barbershops in communities, including Los Angeles, Queens, Harlem and Austin, where the best barbers will go head-to-head in a hilariously unfiltered, no-holds-barred arena. 
Creating hair sculptures that feature elaborate designs, ranging from images of a person’s face to grand cityscapes, the barbers will use nothing more than their clippers and a few coloring tools to create intricate works of art that are both imaginative and location-centric. Episodes will contain two challenges: a “buzz cut” challenge, set inside an iconic barbershop, and an outdoor “cut down” challenge, located at a regional landmark in each city. At the end of each episode, a champion will be crowned. Joining my friend Curt on the panel of judges also known as “The Cutting Board”: Rich the Barber, Bashan “B.G. Cutta” Gibbs and famed instructor Lena Piccininni.
FOLLOW CURTIS on Instagram: xotics and FOLLOW CURTIS on TWITTER: xoticsproducts. CONGRATS, CURT! Come back and see us at Billie's Black Bar Lounge & Restaurant! Billie's Black Gourmet Soul WELCOMES YOU, BROTHER! #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #curtissmith #motownmay
wendy hilliard
Shout out to my friend Janet Hill Talbert for inviting me to help raise funds – as reverse auctioneer and raffle wrangler – for the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation’s 3rd annual benefit: HEALTHIER LIVES FOR HARLEM YOUTH! 
This program provides free and low cost gymnastics for over 15, 000 urban youth – many of whom go on to become serious competitive gymnasts. The US Olympic Committee awarded Wendy Hilliard the prestigious “Rings of Gold” Award in 2011 for her commitment to helping children develop their Olympic dreams and reach their highest athletic goals. 
The well-appointed affair took place at the New York Athletic Center. You can still be a part and help: www.wfhny.org. AND may I send a special shout out to some of my favorite divas – including Rebecca James, Michelle Huff, and Simone Smalls! 
Plus a couple of my divo bros were in the house and I was so happy to see: Raymond Lewis – one of Adrianne C. Smith’s Southern Chefs and a chef personality his own right; my Morehouse brother and fellow pop culture/arts producer/personality George Alexander; and UPTOWN Publisher Len Burnett. #wendyhilliardFD #WendyHilliardFoundation
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in All Star Karaoke, Billie's Black, Cedric the Entertainer, Harriette Cole, Miko Branch, Miss Jessie's, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, The Root, Titi Branch
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hny
hny
Ringing in 2015 with Ernest Maynor, Cris Che-Che Miller, Kevin Freeman, Wardell Malloy, CJ, and more at the beautiful New Jersey home of Erika Liles and Kevin Liles proved to be nothing short of a BLAST (with Ern showing up as a SUPER-doppelganger to our hostess with the most Erika! LOL!).
GREAT WAY TO COME INTO 2015! ONESIES and UGGS were the order of the day; many GAMES; and awesome spread of "potluck". THANKS to Moochie and our AWESOME HOSTS! PLUS, a special shout out to POCONOS fam, Cristal's mom Sheila and her posse, who fed us something "abundantly" on THE DAY! Happy New Year, EVERYBODY! #2015
ga
BFF since 7th grade, Ernest Maynor and I did our ANNUAL GA HOLIDAY again! This, while Ant caught up with his peeps in Denver (Hey Denver fam!).
Ern and I enjoyed a "Welcome Back to ATL" brunch with our collective BFFs: Carla Jackson; Cristal Miller; Tina Johnson; Ern's and my Savannah homegirl/my Spelman sister Tandi Reddick; our world-traveling vegan diva and sister girlfriend for life Onlyone Camille; and several fun drive-bys, including Chandra's little brother/my mentee Calvin Jones. 
Great brunch at The Shed at Glenwood! Thx to my nephew Noot - Herman Lee Riley III - for the recommendation! We then hosted NYC BFF and LIFE OF RILEY producer/consultant Derrick Hemphill - in ATL for the holidays - and other friends at our fav couple Patrice and Keron's place. 
This, before heading to Carla Jackson's house to watch my special interview with Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie - my Ern's and my doppelgangers - on the Season Finale of Oprah: Where Are They Now? on recurring client OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network - http://youtu.be/jUgvR9Bkxr4. 
AND OF COURSE, I found time for my actual family. LOL! Queen and Mickey's kids - CHILDREN OF CHARLIE & DAISY RILEY - first got together again for Christmas 2014 at my fav cafeteria Piccadilly.
My siblings Janice Riley Priester, Herman, and me caught up and got suitably nourished for the rest of the holiday! 
We got a pre-Savannah moment in Atlanta via childhood friend and Spelman sister Tandi Reddick.
Her eve-of-eve party ensured we could all have fun - 
friends old and new, including my L.A.-based friend Wayne Gonzalez, Celebrity Astrologer whose analysis will “read” and explain many things about you - for the good. LOL!
When last I was in L.A., Wayne joined some of me - and some of my friends from "The Queen Latifah Show", which was still in production at the time. 
He gave them an ear full. Look for more from this talent in 2015 (I predict! LOL!). 
Tandi's set - for sure - got the holiday celebrating off to a great start! 
While in Savannah, it was lots of catching up; 
visiting;
children to gift and see; 
cocktails and juice; 
lots of food;
and lots of laughter and love!
Always so good to be home in Savannah where much of it all began. 
I LOVE MY FAMILY and ALL of my EXTENDED SAVANNAH FAMILY. 
And I was too excited to get some special “favorite cousin” time with Buddah.
Was also nice to catch up with the E-WING CREW – from Natalie and her beautiful family to Ern and his clan.
And a special treat it was to get some time with our beloved Bernadette. 
We got a kick out of catching up with old Windsor Forest High School classmates on one of the evenings. Had my close out in Savannah with fam. 
Well, a night-cap with the MAYNOR siblings at JEN'S&FRIENDS. 
AND THEN, a return to ATL for one more night to a "Welcome Back and BYE" party back in Atlanta - hosted by our dear friends and hosts Patrice and Keron (and the boys Zach and Hunter). 
One of my good-bye guests, dear friend Kevin Freeman taking me out on the ATL town for a night cap at Mixx Atlanta's Upscale Lounge & Nightclub and Chaperelle Nightclub where we bumped into several buddies
- including Isoul Harris - ATLANTA's own who is now Editor in Chief of UPTOWN Magazine whose always been good to me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1sAADNg3Ls and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD54heTwCpY. 
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY!#siblingsbond #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #WHEREARETHEYNOW #ARISE360
ask
Billie's Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley" brought ALL OF OUR FAV FAM OUT for the eve-of-eve New Year's wrap of our uber-fun Fall 2014 Series!
Look for us back up in the Spring of 2015 (and maybe some special ALL STAR KARAOKE moments here and there).! 
Meanwhile, feel the LOVE that I felt on our last night as Billie's Black Gourmet Soul's owner Adrian Ferguson provided a champagne toast for our ALL STAR KARAOKE faithfuls (and to RING IN THE NEW YEAR)
- also to CELEBRATE EIGHT YEARS IN THE BUSINESS.
AND SHE FINALLY SANG! She led "The Boss" choir for our weekly finale!
Beautiful cap...and WORDS from her - thanking us for making "Tuesday" at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul like their BEST FRIDAY EVER! And come mid-January and for the winter months, MiKA DeHarlem will host KARAOKE UNSCRIPTED which I plan to support when I can. 
BIG THANKS to our sponsors Miss Jessie's, Joseph Riley Land, Vessie Goldsmith, Motown the Musical, and all the rest.
AND MY TEAM is the best - including my producer and fill-in host Bernice Wooden! LOVE YOU!
And BIG THANKS to my partner Ant whose vision for me to host something was All Star Karaoke (since 2010) and producer/BFF Derrick Hemphill for working with All Star Karaoke and Life of Riley as the brands grow.
Much LOVE to ALL...and HAPPY NEW YEAR! #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #motownmay
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in ATLANTA, All Star Karaoke, Arise Entertainment 360, Billie's Black, NBCBLK, Oprah Where Are They Now?, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Patrick Riley, Savannah
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