A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

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.

#allstarkaraoke

#billiesblack 

#invisiblelife

frank ishman

World-renowned photographer - Frank Ishman – also my Morehouse College brother! He married his GENIUS to the COLLABORATIVE BRANDING GENIUS of Myrdith Leon-Mccormack... to the STYLING GENIUS of Janine Linton... and – VOILA! – you have MAN-HOGANY! LOL! Was FUN to get my MAHOGANY on with FRANK! Frank Ishman is THE BEST! www.frankishman.com #frankishman

mahogany

How is it that I tell a slew of people on social media to go see MAHOGANY at the IFC and – by the time – I got around to securing my own ticket, it was SOLD OUT! Then, when I do an outreach, I get an emailed reply from Rhonda Ross! Yes, my friend! But also: daughter of Miss Diana Ross and Mr. Berry Gordy… and MAHOGANY was their 1975 Blockbuster project for which Miss Ross designed (and/or styled) ALL OF THE COSTUMES! Oh, and wait for it! Rhonda was seeing it ON THE BIG SCREEN for the FIRST TIME! Her escort? Bob Silberstein, the man who raised Rhonda - also father of her sisters Tracee Ellis Ross and Chudney Ross. The occasion: "Black Summer Nights", a celebration of queer African American artists and their unique role in shaping American culture and history. Tonight's selection was curated by another industry buddy, Tony-nominated actor for "Passing Strange" Colman Domingo via SKYPE (who - last we hung out - I was helping navigate the red carpet at the World Premiere of Lee Daniel's "The Butler"). As I'd just asked our sponsor at "Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley", Miko Branch of Miss Jessie's, her favorite film at a recent book signing, LOVE that it was "Mahogany" and she came out to enjoy it as well --- along with other buddies, filmmaker Andre Robert Lee; legendary performer Flotilla Debarge whose next show "FLO-REAL!! Here & Now" goes up Thursday, June 25th at 9p at Kraine Theatre -   www.horsetrade.info - and many others! FAB Monday Night! Next month on July 20th, pick up the series with "James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket". For more info on Queer/Art/Film at the IFC Center...and the awesome folks associated - including filmmaker Stephen Winter, poet Pamela Sneed, Ira Sachs, Adam Baran, please visit www.IFCCENTER.COM/SERIES/QUEERARTFILM.  #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke#mahogany #queerartfilm

invisible life

Week 7 of BILLIE’S BLACK presents ALL STAR KARAOKE was VISIBLY VIBRANT as EVERYBODY ENJOYED their “Miss Jessie’s” grab bags (and Miko Branch’s current book). Highlight of the night was the cast of “Invisible Life: The Musical” coming by to promote their week-long, almost-SOLD-OUT engagement at The Apollo June 25th – 30th. We gave away tickets; sang Miss Ross’ “The Boss” produced by Motown Legends Ashford & Simpson who wrote the music and lyrics for “Invisible Life” (with additional lyrics by my brother friend Stanley Bennett Clay): https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/vb.662073736/10153063149713737/?type=3&theater.  Based on the novel “Invisible Life” by E. Lynn Harris, the musical’s book is written by Proteus Spann & Javon Johnson who joined us on stage for the fun! They co-direct “Invisible Life: The Musical”. And can we talk about the cast which is full of Broadway star power? Tony Award nominee Brenda Braxton (Smokey Joe’s Cafe) will portray Mama Tyler, the mother of Raymond Tyler Jr., who will be played by Gregory Williams. Raymond’s two closest friends Kyle and JJ, will be Terry Lavell (La Cage aux Folles) and Grammy- nominated Frenchie Davis (RENT). The iconic stage songstress Vivian Reed is also in the cast. Terry and Frenchie came to play – singing with me and solo! Ant’s sister Sabrina does Frenchie’s PR – so these moments were extra special. Purchase Tickets: http://gn-bp.com/invisible-life. ALSO IN THE MIX: One of our All Star Karaoke Journalism DIVAS, NBC4’s own anchor extraordinaire Shiba Russell and her crew were in the house as well as FIT grad Travis and his friends – led by ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFUL Antoinne who brought a fun group to CELEBRATE. And to all my peeps, THANKS! BILLIE’S BLACK presents ALL STAR KARAOKE is going through Tuesday, July 14th. PLEASE COME JOIN US! RESERVATIONS are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:212.280.2248. AND COME TUESDAY, JUNE 23^RD, LET’S LOOK TO ALL STAR KARAOKE plus CELEBRATE BILLIE’S BLACK’S 9^TH ANNIVERSARY – including a “special surprise guest”! #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #invisiblelife

sidra and tasha smith

I was too excited to see my girlfriend Sidra Smith who has been busy as ever of late, but not too busy to bring the cast of “Invisible Life” to see me at All Star Karaoke (with the coordination of my friend Richard Pelzer). Sidra - NAACP Image Award winning producer of “Free Angela” - is Executive Producing "BOXED IN" - a film project her identical twin sister, Hollywood star Tasha Smith wrote and directed in association with producer Kim Ogletree. ABFF – the American Black Film Festival – screened the awesome flick . Shout out to ABFF and Jeff Friday for curating this one! For more information visit: http://www.abff.com/).What a compelling story that anecdotes brilliantly the struggle and stigma of mental illness among our African American brothers and sisters. Beautiful film andawesome cast! Walter Fauntleroy plays a character who suffers with bipolar disorder. His mom is played by the amazing actress Tyra Ferrell who I've missed from the big screen a la the days of Poetic Justice and School Daze! We also loved her from HBO's The Corner (with Tasha Smith)...and - this just in - she told me we'll see her in Season 2 of Empire. BOXED IN also features the lady who cast me in upcoming film Steps- due out later this year: Penwah Phynjuar!! She's THE BEST! Director of STEPS, Eddie Harris
also in attendance tonight - saw an early screening of BOXED IN...and says he had to have Walter Fauntleroy for STEPS! And he and I have a few scenes together. Eddie also says I'm looking good in edit - as Rudy, the character I play, my acting debut in a feature film... Stay tuned..

tony awards

Another of my Broadway predictions on Arise Entertainment 360 has come TRUE! From my last visit, I figured Helen Mirren is so well-decorated in so many platforms for portraying THE QUEEN, the Great White Way would CROWN her accordingly. I was right! CLIP: http://bit.ly/bway_arise360_mirren! Tony Awards Leading Actress in a Play -- Helen Mirren in "The Audience". Mirren played Queen Elizabeth II in the Broadway play, written by Peter Morgan. Mirren also originated the part at the play's original 2013 run in London's West End. #TheAudienceBway #TonyAwards #Arise360 #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke

drums

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/UGOqHhjbZ3k - SHOUT OUT to Carl Nelson - BFF for 20+ YEARS and Producer of Drums Along The Hudson -Inwood Park joined me on stage recently at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul for Billie's Black presents All Star Karaoke to promote #drumsalongthehudson which he produces every years. I host the afternoon stage this Sunday, June 14^th – an event that honors Tichina Arnold and His Holiness the Dalai Lama! #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

 Hosting 2015s Drums Along The Hudson -Inwood Park, 13th annual! Honorees: my friend Tichina Arnold andHis Holiness the Dalai Lama! And George Faison andLotus Music Dance put on quite the FABULOUS presentation! #weareONE #drumsalongthehudson#rhythmnation 

#wearetheworld #thewiz #tony#lotusmusicanddance

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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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

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 25^th 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

ASK PATRICK 

This entry was to announce that ALL STAR KARAOKE is coming back at the end of APRIL 2015! Then, the QUEEN OF SOUL called and my lead is buried! But this is MISS ARETHA FRANKLIN, after all.. LOL!.... so let me interrupt this regularly scheduled programming for this ROYAL RE-CAP that deserves some R-E-S-P-E-C-T....

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN

CHECK OUT THIS LATEST VIDEOs on NBCBLK - a viral that details MISS FRANKLIN's "openness" - shall we say - to do some EMPIRE - Season 2 - https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1553278574945680&set=vb.1508175089456029&type=2&theater.... and here is a RE-CAP of the MAGICAL NIGHT: 

http://www.nbcnews.com/watch/nbcnews-com/aretha-franklin-puts-on-star-studded-birthday-417968707987

It’s for NBCBLK – recurring client which dispatched me to do this LEE DANIELS interview last month: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/precious-butler-director-lee-daniels-building-empire-n290416.  Over the years, MISS ARETHA FRANKLIN has invited LIFE OF RILEY to celebrate her birthday and other milestones. There was last year’s birthday at the RITZ CARLTON. Denzel Washington stopped by: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/3/23/another-night.html. In 2009, I was a guest at Miss Franklin's HOLLYWOOD BOWL show followed by a post-show set at the PENINSULA HOTEL. This was on the day that Michael Jackson died:http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/9/21/ive-waited-so-long-to-hear-you-say-that-to-me-say-it-again-s.html. The year prior to that, Miss Franklin’s camp asked me to secure SECRET TROIS for her birthday set in Detroit and to accompany them. The QUEEN’s wish was Anthony Harper’s and my command: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/3/26/people-say-im-the-life-of-the-party.html. And years ago, in 1992, when I started my career in TV, I got to interview Miss Franklin at then-CBS affiliate WXIA. We dished on “The Young & The Restless”. Fast forward 23 years later to Miss Aretha Franklin’s 73rd birthday celebration recently held at the Ritz Carlton, Central Park South; LIFE OF RILEY gets another ROYAL INVITE; NBCBLK asks if they can tag-along; and THE QUEEN OF SOUL and I do some catching up – on the SOAPS. But this time, we talked EMPIRE and Tyler Perry’s THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS. She’s a fan of both. ALL HAIL THE QUEEN for whom some very special guests came out: Record industry legend Clive Davis, Empire creator Lee Daniels, Attorney General Eric Holder, singers Valerie Simpson and Freddie Jackson, LABELLE original Sarah Dash, CNN’s Don Lemon, my fellow journalist buddy Jamie Foster Brown (“Sister 2 Sister”), choreographer George Faison, Sirius XM’s Tracey J. Jordan, Lawrence O'Donnell, Tamron Hall from msnbc and NBC Today, Rev. Reverend Al Sharpton, Charlie Rangell, the Duke Ellington Jazz All Stars, philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, Avery*Sunshine, etc. Shout out to my friend, Detroit’s own Greg Dunmore who emceed the festivities. Miss Franklin’s actual birthday is March 25. FOR MORE INFO on LIFE OF RILEY, click here: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2015/3/20/ask-patrick.html. I love that even at the Queen of Soul's 73rd birthday party, we're in an EMPIRE state of mind! LOL!  #NBCBLK

PHOTO - Michael Stewart. 

BACK TO ALL STAR KARAOKE! LOL!

 As brutal as winter was, I know we made a good decision to hibernate BILLIE'S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY during winter break. Well, as Spring awakens, I'm excited to announce that BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, we are returning with our SPRING 2015 SERIES - STARTING Tuesday, April 28th! We'll go every Tuesday through Tuesday, July 14th from 7p-10p.

Highlights have included:

* Monifah singing - http://bit.ly/beatsbydre_monifah

* Keke Wyatt singing - http://bit.ly/beatsbydre_kekewyatt

* Patrick L. Riley singing with Keke Wyatt - http://bit.ly/beatsbydre_patricklriley

* Patrick L. Riley singing I AM CHANGING (and more on my YOU TUBE channel):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_pVZZ9GCm4

* Good Morning America’s Mara Schiavocampo promoting her book THINSPIRED:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTZt5efrf4c

STARS OF TOMORROW

* Iconic vocalist Toni Seawright brought her son Qaasim Middleton to ALL STAR KARAOKE Spring 2014. Fast forward to this week: he is an "American Idol Top 10" finalist. Did you see that SAVE? LOL!

* My Spelman sister Kimberly Nichole has also performed on the Billie's Black stage as she is now perched on Team Christina Aguilera for the current season of "The Voice".

* After Broadway hit MOTOWN THE MUSICAL's marketing rep hired me to host its Opening Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ, the producers wanted to partner with ALL STAR KARAOKE for what we coined: #MOTOWNMAY - a month of participants singing songs from MOTOWN's legendary catalog; a handful competed each week inside a MOTOWN-RETURNS-TO-THE-APOLLO-style competition for a chance to sing with the show's DIANA ROSS on the Broadway stage for ONE NIGHT ONLY (Our winner: emerging vocalist Husain Mello Deas Williams). MOTOWN THE MUSICAL also provided lots of giveaways; discount codes for the show; and - as our GRAND FINALE judges - a handful of cast-members from MOTOWN THE MUSICAL - including Marva Hicks (Gladys Knight in the show) and Bryan Terrell Clark (Marvin Gaye in the show).

SINGERS PROMOTE THEIR SONGS & SHOWS

* TV One's R&B DIVAS' Monifah Carter & Keke Wyatt came by to karaoke; sing their songs; and promote their show/new music. 

* Recording artists Alyson Williams; Shaliek; Gordon Chambers; Kenneth Carr; Kim Waters (who serenaded me HAPPY BIRTHDAY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0Iwk4WLMuI); and Sweet Honey in the Rock.

* Broadway star Anthony Wayne ("Pippin'") took a night off from the Great White Way to join me on the All Star Karaoke stage to preview his smash hit "Mighty Sylvester".

CELEBS & TASTEMAKERS LOVE ALL STAR KARAOKE 

* We never know who will pop in - including ALL STAR KARAOKE supporter Bevy Smith (BRAVO's FASHION QUEENS HOST); Mica Hughes (BRAVO's BLOOD, SWEAT, & HEELS); Artie Thompson (BRAVO's CHEF ROBLE); Mara Schiavocampo (GOOD MORNING AMERICA correspondent/best-selling author: THINSPIRED); Shiba Russell (NBC4 Anchor); Xosha Roquemore (Actress, FOX's "The Mindy Project"); and Laurie Anne Gibson(Choreographer/Recording Artist - clients including Lady Gaga and more).

* Before we did ALL STAR KARAOKE at Billie's Black, NATIVE Restaurant hosted it. Some of those CELEB sing-bys included: Tichina Arnold (Actress, "Martin", "Everybody Hates Chris", etc.); Kevin Mambo (Actor, "FELA" on Broadway); TONEX (Recording Artist); Brenda Braxton (Broadway legend, "Chicago"); Napiera Groves (Actress, "As The World Turns"); David Nathan (Author, "Soulful Divas"); Greg Dunmore (Host, PULSEBEAT); Jamie Foster Brown (Publisher, SISTER 2 SISTER); etc.

* Though most are in the house to enjoy ALL STAR KARAOKE and the food and drink BILLIE'S BLACK provides, the room is also a networking room. You could be dining or singing alongside any of the entertainment and media industry's best - from all domains - including CELEBRITY HAIRSTYLISTS Carla Bone (clients including: Kerry Washington, Jada Pinkett Smith, and more); Brian Badie (clients including: Ice T, Coco, "Power"); BLACK OPAL Creative Director Merrell Hollis (celeb make-up artist including Wendy Williams; Diddy; Usher; Cynthia Bailey; Jessica White; etc.); celebrity publicist Gwendolyn Quinn (clients including: Keke Wyatt [who she brought]; Aretha Franklin; Deborah Cox, etc.); President of the New York Association of Black Journalists Mike Feeney; legal analyst/journalist Lisa Bonner, Esq.; BLISS President Mike Indurksy; "Blackbird"/"The Skinny"/"Noah's Arc" Director Patrik-Ian Polk; producer/director Nathan Hale Williams; NAACP Image Award winning producer Sidra Smith; actor/writer/director Stanley Bennett Clay; "Drums Along The Hudson" producer Carl Nelson; Tony-award-winning choreographer/Faison Firehouse's own George Faison; New York Times writer Nikita Stewart-Henderson; etc.

* Industry players use our ALL STAR KARAOKE experience as a BUILT-IN BIRTHDAY PARTY. We've toasted many - including: Kevin Anthony (international performer/recording artist); Rowena Husbands (celebrity photographer); Penwah (singer/casting director/producer [STEPS: An Eddie Harris Film]; Anthony C. Harper (my partner and - at the time - producer, The Wendy Williams Show); and me.

ALL STAR KARAOKE SPONSORS ROCK

* MANY SPONSORS have appreciated the excitement of our night; the folks in the room; and the on-line social media buzz we get during and after that they have reached out to partner with ALL STAR KARAOKE - including our main FALL 2015 SPONSOR "Miss Jessie's" who donated giveaways for all of our ALL STAR KARAOKE guests. Plus, Co-Founder Miko Branch ensured TWO big weekly prizes for two on-stage participants to hopefully win at the end of the night. ALL STAR KARAOKE is excited to help promote MISS JESSIE'S: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch - Naturally (Amistad; Hardcover; On Sale: April 14, 2015; $24.99). #IAMMISSJESSIES

* HENDRICK's GIN provided a month of ONE-HOUR TASTINGS along with signature cocktails at a discounted price to quench the thirst of our ALL STAR KARAOKE regulars. Dear friend Sidra Smith brought that integration to ALL STAR KARAOKE. She is an NAACP Image Award winning producer for documentary "Free Angela", Sidra Smith, is a dear friend (and also the identical twin of Hollywood actress Tasha Smith - known for her current role as Cookie's sister in EMPIRE and her starring role in Tyler Perry's "For Better or Worse" on OWN).

* RAFFLES: We also do $2 raffles (and sometimes $5 raffles for BIG GIVEAWAYS). Our RAFFLE SPONSOR for SPRING 2014 and FALL 2014 was RILEY/LAND GOURMET PANTRY - providing a number of high-end gourmet samples.

CREATIVE THOUGHT-STARTERS FOR SPONSOR CONSIDERATION: SPRING 2015

A. BRING YOUR CLIENTS: Already, we're receiving word from CELEB family members; publicists; and crew-members that some of their clients want to come by. So, PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD to any of your CLIENTS or PEEPS that BILLIE'S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY is a good room to DRIVE-BY on TUESDAY NIGHT!

B. LIFE OF RILEY FRIENDS & CLIENTS: As an independent personality, producer, and writer, you folks know LIFE OF RILEY is all over the place: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/. As such, I LOVE when I'm working on a special project with recurring client BET and I see my BET FAM at ALL STAR KARAOKE! So, to all of MY RECURRING CLIENTS & FRIENDS, here's a SHOUT OUT for you to CONSIDER a TUESDAY NIGHT (s) to come out and decompress or celebrate APRIL/MAY/JUNE/JULY birthday(s). That includes: my peeps at ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360; OWN TV; NBCBLK; NBCU's "The More You Know" team; NYABJ (New York Association of Black Journalists); LIVE OUT LOUD (LGBTQ Mentoring Organization); NABJ Arts & Entertainment Task Force; NABJ LGBTQ Task Force; "The Wendy Williams Show"; etc.

C. LOOKING AHEAD: ALL STAR KARAOKE ON-DEMAND:  

* SAGE Harlem provides services and advocacy for GLBT Elders. SAGE Harlem program manager (and friend) Christopher Jones asked me to perform for the group's holiday party after he’d attended Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke FALL 2014 SERIES. WAS FUN to sing my ALL STAR KARAOKEstaples for this enthusiastic audience: “Reasons” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vxU3In7zl4; “This Woman’s Work” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phNQU3hWfAE; and “Endless Love” - https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152858343658737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater. Learn more at: http://www.sageusa.org/sageharlem.

* BILLIE'S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY was also able to offer support to MISS JESSIE's (talent and food) in the wake of MISS JESSIE's co-founder Titi Branch's passing at a MEMORIAL TRIBUTE - celebrating her life: http://youtu.be/KDlVBgqBH0U.

* After AMERICAN IDOL finalist Qaasim Middleton’s mom Toni Seawright graced our ALL STAR KARAOKE stage several times with her AMAZING TALENTS, I was too excited when she asked me to host her 50th Birthday Honoring the Music and Legacy of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Her family and friends all gathered in Brooklyn, New York at the 5 Spot. I sang “Got to Be There” with the HOT BAND! Shout out to them for rehearsing with me a couple of days prior to ensure I could hit those CHAKA notes. I even rehearsed at our closing night of ALL STAR KARAOKE:https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152301811918737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater.

* We are currently in talks with varied sponsors and organizers regarding an ALL STAR KARAOKE TOUR for later this year or next year. Stay tuned as we've received word from several entities that they would love ALL STAR KARAOKE. Some of the information in the attached POWERPOINT underscores some of the current outreaches. Nothing is firm as the TOUR goes - so if an announcement, you'll hear it first from me.  ENDLESS LOVE for #ALLSTARKARAOKE #BILLIESBLACK AND ALL OF YOU!

MAIRIE BDAY

Great to gather and celebrate Mairie Ame Raxy at Isola on Columbus where I just had to break out in a HAPPY BIRTHDAY serenade for our BDAY GIRL - looking to celebrate another birthday this summer: she, her husband Eric, and big sister Raixy's new addition: a baby boy! CONGRATS on everything, Mairie! We LOVE YOU! Remember when Ern and I had the chance to attend their beautiful wedding last year in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Ant and I enjoyed catching up with Miss Angelique Miles. She’s so FAB! Please check out her method to living a balanced, healthy, fit, social life at 45+. It’s The Miles Method – a content portal that allows you to read and see many of her fitness/lifestyle escapades. Good tid-bits… and you might as well listen: Ain’t she FINE! LOL! Please like her page, The Miles Method, and invite your friends to like it too!: https://www.facebook.com/Amilesmethod. 

COVERGIRL, MARA!

LADIES & GENTLEMEN!!! MISS Mara Schiavocampo AKA Good Morning America CORRESPONDENT AKA COVER GIRL on Woman's World AKA MY AMAZING GRACE AKA MY INTERNET WIFE AKA "MAKES ME SO PROUD"!!!! GO MARA, GO! ‪#‎THINspiredbook

PAULA MADISON

‪#‎FBF Paula MadisonN is one of my (NABJ) National Association of Black Journalists MENTORS! At a time in my career when I needed to "attract" skill-set work in entertainment and pop culture, she - at the helm of News 4 New York - quickly and deliberately stepped in and up and presented me a handful of opportunities to SHINE via the local news division's special projects unit. The year was 1997 and - to that moment - I became a "working", full-time, independent producer, personality, and writer. And the melody lingers on. By way of that one chance she took on me, I continue to know ENDLESSLY that I can make it - even when the fiscal snapshot isn't cute. She remains supportive and kind. And she continues to lead by example - having experienced many chapters inside the book of her own amazing life since we worked together in the late '90s - including leading diversity efforts in network TV and Hollywood; owning sports teams and networks; and - wait for it - dancing with Prince on his "Musicology" tour. Her latest flourish is an actual book that she's written (alongside a companion documentary she produced) about her search to connect with her Chinese relatives. And she will be in NYC April 12-15 for the launch of Finding Samuel Lowe: www.findingsamuellowe.com. Hit up my sister friend publicist Lauren Tobin with PANTHER PR, if you want to consider booking our beloved Paula and/or knowing where she's signing and speaking. Book launch at B&N on 82nd and B'way, 7P Tuesday 4/14!!! Please come on out to show your friendly face. Paula says she will be signing books until they close!!! AND PAULA? If you make it back Harlem-way between Tuesday, April 28th and Tuesday, July 14th, please stop by Billie's Black Gourmet Soul for Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH Patrick L. Riley... and sing a tune with me as we hip my folks to FINDING SAMUEL LOWE! LOVE YOU! ‪#‎findingsamuellowe ‪#‎nabj40 ‪#‎billiesblack ‪#‎allstarkaraoke

BEN VEREEN

LOVE when my LEGENDS are still high-kicking and singing for the gods! lOL! One of my heroes from the land of TRIPLE THREAT: Ben Vereen recently did a stint at #54Below: http://54below.com/artist/ben-vereen/. WAS TOO EXCITED to interview Ben Vereen a month or so ago at ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a12El8-zU_k.  Watch Daily On Time Warner, Verizon Fios, Centric and On Demand... www.YouTube.com/AriseENT360  + you can watch it streaming live on www.arise.tv at 3p/eastern. As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #ARISE360#hiphopchangedus #devotion #endlesslove #popcultureandpossibilities #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke#CentricTV

 THE YOUNGER ‘EMPIRE’

CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153273324868287 - LAWD! Blair Younger - one of my work BFFs - formerly from Harpo Productions /Oprah Winfrey Show and currently via recurring client BET - is always YAPPING about her FAMILY - primarily her sister, professional musician Brandee Younger AKA Brandee A. Younger (as well as her FIERCE mother Linda Mcnease-Younger)! Well, NO SURPRISE these two AMAZING WOMEN are MEDIA DARLINGS this week - BRANDEE inside a feature on FOX 5 / MyFoxNY.com c/o Chrystal Young: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153273324868287 & MOM was featured in one of Anthony Harper's The Wendy Williams Show contributions - dating back to his former employer's sneak-peek: It was CELEBRITY FAN OUT... and Miss Linda was inside the segment with not one, but TWO pix with two of the FINE BROTHERS in Empire: Bryshere Gray and Jussie Smollett! HOW YOU DOIN'? LOL! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS6XDg86o-c. ‪#‎empire ‪#‎harp

john edward

Remember CROSSING OVER? Too cool to interview John Edward (and co-host Kat Jenus at Evolve) recently for recurring client OWN. Catch up with John and more on March 29^th on Oprah: Where Are They Now? WHAT AN ICON HE IS! My DL Hughley is coming up in that episode as well. For more on Oprah: Where Are They Now, visit: www.Oprah.com/WhereAreTheyNow To join the conversation on social, use: #WhereAreTheyNow @OWNtv