A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

MOTOWN MAY – WEEK 2

I'M NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE Motown the Musical CONTEST at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul for Billie's Black PRESENTS All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley!

BUT MOTOWN IS FOREVER and MY LOVE FOR MOTOWN is ENDLESS, hence my OPENING HOMAGE for Week 2 of #MOTOWNMAY –  http://youtu.be/UX1ncAQVRmg

TWO MORE WEEKS until the Grand Finale where the winner will win the opportunity to sing on the Broadway stage with Diana Ross from Motown the Musical.

For more info, click on my blog, A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RILEY, at http://bit.ly/lor_blog 

BUT IN A NUTSHELL: ONE MORE WEEK to qualify! So, WHO’S COMING OUT WITH US NEXT WEEK? Sign up begins at 7pm with the competition taking place between 9-10pm. TWO MORE WINNERS (OF SIX TOTAL) FROM NEXT TUESDAY WILL ADVANCE TO THE FINALE ON TUESDAY, MAY 27TH. So come join us for Billie's Black Bar Lounge & Restaurant Presents: All Star Karaoke w/ Patrick Riley. #motownmay #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

CONGRATS to ALL STAR KARAOKE faithful (from our prior venue), Danny Rey, on his stellar “Neither One of Us Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye” by Gladys Knight & The Pips: http://youtu.be/FF4jeVmqRRs. HE DID THAT!

RUNNERE UP: my friend Derrick Prwtch Leblanc, whose "Hello" by Lionel Richie was stunning! Check out my YOUTUBE channel for other selects from ALL STAR KARAOKE: http://www.youtube.com/user/patarack2010

BUT OUR ALL STAR for the night? My friend, Bravo's own MICA HUGHES from Bravo’s BLOOD, SWEAT, & HEELS! She attended with her man, Terry Lyon, on her arm. She sang many things… and it was all SWEET:  http://youtu.be/_hQkBhgANZ4

Special shout out to my ALL STAR FRIENDS CBS2 reporter/anchor Don Champion; artist Cynthia Burgos; Morehouse brother Michael K. Watts; publicist/producer of the most stylish note, George T. Wilson; and more for coming by to join us! And I'm so GLAD my girlfriend Dawn performed! MY GIRL!

Please come out and join us for BILLIE’S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY!

We are having a BLAST!

This series runs EVERY TUESDAY from 7p-10p until the end of June.

GREENHOPE

CHECK THIS OUT: http://youtu.be/dQDVyZhz3Qs

Greenhope Services for Women commissioned me to narrate and produce its latest highlight video which highlights all the great work the agency is doing to help women involved with the criminal justice system who are struggling with substance abuse to reclaim their lives, reunite with their families, and rebuild their communities. Special shout out to my media partners:

Director of Photography James Michael Curry with Mindfile Multimedia, Inc. - http://www.mindfilemultimedia.com/  and Director/Editor Mitch Jacobson with Category-5 Studios - http://www.category5studios.com/.  These two gentlemen are often my A-TEAM collaborators for recurring clients OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Oprah: Where Are They Now?) and The Wendy Williams Show among others. For more info on Patrick L. Riley, check out blog, A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RILEY, which can be found at http://bit.ly/lor_blog - http://bit.ly/lor_greenh

SPECIAL PROJECT

Working on a new project. Stay tuned...

9/11 MUSEUM

My Tony-award-winning friend LaChanze, whose husband Calvin died when Tower One was struck, sang an extremely moving rendition of “Amazing Grace” at the opening of the 9/11 Museum.  The emotion of LaChanze’s performance was truly touching, and was a perfect, somber way to honor her husband and all of the other victims. I’ve had the chance to know LaChanze since that time. She is what “pop culture” and “possibilities” in “The Life of Riley” are all about. I LOVE YOU and the girls, LACHANZE, CELIA, and ZAYA! #neverforgotten SEE the clip NBC Nightly News did: http://www.nbcnews.com/watch/nightly-news/a-moment-of-amazing-grace-at-9-11-museum-dedication-257079363753

HOLLER IF YOU HEAR ME

Shout out to MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL marketing outreach diva Marcia Pendelton – my dear friend for inviting me out to a wonderful preview event for an upcoming Broadway HIT [I’ve claimed it]! Marcia is always making sure I’m in the place to be – like the Opening Night of Motown: The Musical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ&feature=share&list=PL1TUj2SKo8nvZ9A3Ah0NKuFI3BWM5aqru and as she has just booked another Broadway show to market, this evening was no exception for Marcia ensuring I was in yet another PLACE TO BE (Shout out to MOTOWN as her #motownmay sponsor for “Billie’s Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley”: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/). It was a press event at legendary Sardi’s Restaurant – promoting the breakthrough musical HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME – based on the poetry and lyrics of Tupac Shakur. The show is directed by one of my early mentors from the AUC, Kenny Leon – late ‘70s Clark College grad who directed me on Clark and Morehouse’s stages when I was a student there in the ‘90s. Now, he is prolific Broadway director extraordinary whose current work “Raisin on the Sun” is one of The Great White Way’s big shows this season. It picked up FIVE nominations – including one for Kenny as Director. HOLLER is written by Todd Kreidler, and starring another familiar player from my AUC past, poet/actor Saul Williams, my Morehouse brother (same years): www.SaulWilliams.com. Also in the cast: Tony winner Tonya Pinkins and a friend I’ve now gotten the chance to know via Broadway: Saycon Segbloh (http://SayconSegbloh.com/ - TWITTER @sayconsengbloh). I got to interview her during her FELA! run and her “Motown: The Musical” run! SHE’S THE CREAM OF THE CROP! HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME will begin performances on May 29, 2014 and open June 19, 2014 at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street) – home to where MOTOWN MUSE, Diana Ross, snagged a special TONY AWARD for her “An Evening with Diana Ross”, which broke box office records in the legendary venue. Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster at www.Ticketmaster.com  or by calling 877-250-2929. Also stay tuned to LIFE OF RILEY (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/) for DISCOUNT CODES and other info on the show – also reachable via www.HollerIfYaHearMe.com; on TWITTER, via @HollerBway; and on FACEBOOK, via: https://www.facebook.com/HollerBway. 

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL DISCOUNTS

Many of my ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULS have been requesting my take on “DREAMGIRLS” – THE EFFIE SONGS – since we began! Well, I got in “I AM CHANGING” this week at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul's Black Gourmet Soul! CHECK IT OUT!

http://bit.ly/mm_patrick

See below for FUN EXCERPTS from MOTOWN MAY - TUESDAY NIGHT 1! PLEASE SHARE - using:

#motownmay

#allstarkaraoke

#billiesblack

Though it was #MOTOWNMAY (and a FABULOUS LAUNCH WE HAD), we too had a FABULOUS ALL STAR APPEARANCE: Xosha Roquemore! My ALL STAR KARAOKE producer and friend Derrick is the #1 FAN of "The Mindy Project". So, you must know this was the BIGGEST TREAT FOR HIM! LOL! I hope I get this right, but Xosha (pronounced Zo-sha) Roquemore plays no-nonsense, if not always tactful, Tamra! Xosha made a FAB ALL STAR KARAOKE appearance - enjoying the night from her seat and eventually hitting the stage for Nicky Minaj's superbass! SUPER SWEET LADY: http://bit.ly/mm_xosha! We'd received word that Tank and LaTavia Roberson would TRY to pop by. They didn't make it, but WE'LL KEEP OUR MICS HOT FOR YOU TWO... AND EVERYBODY! THANKS TO EVERYBODY FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

 Our ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULS have been COMING OUT and TURNING IT OUT! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!

Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley is TOO EXCITED to be partnering with MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL! We are having a BLAST! MOTOWN REVUE PART 1 of 3 (before 5/27's GRAND FINALE) was AWESOME! "Jules" won THIS WEEK on Teena Marie's "I Need Your Lovin'" - http://bit.ly/mm_jules -  and Hussain ran right up with Stevie Wonder's "Superstition": https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152195389718737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater. TWO MORE WEEKS TO QUALIFY FOR OUR GRAND FINALE;

 meanwhile, EVERYBODY CAN SEE MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL for a discount by using the discount code: ABC123 #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #motownmay

RULES: Rules and prizes: Sign up is 1st come - 1st serve, starting at 7 pm each night (a maximum of 10 competitors per preliminary round). Competition takes place from 9 – 10 pm each night of prelims. All competitors must sing a song from the MOTOWN record label. 1st and 2nd place winners from the prelim rounds each compete in the GRAND FINALE. The GRAND PRIZE is 1) a pair of tickets to see MOTOWN THE MUSICAL during Black Music Month in June. 2) an opportunity to do an on-stage walk-on for that performance. 3) dinner for two at Billie’s Black. The 2nd PLACE GRAND PRIZE is 1) a MOTOWN THE MUSICAL gift bag with a signed Playbill, a MOTOWN THE MUSICAL CD, poster, coffee table, etc.

Audience members will ALSO have a chance to win Motown the Musical merchandise through MOTOWN Q&A trivia. FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/23/soul-out-loud.html

 IN OTHER LIFE OF RILEY NEWS….

WENDY WILLIAMS

 HOW YOU DOIN’? Was COOL to work on a quick turnaround project for recurring client The Wendy Williams Show with organizing expert Julie Morgenstern via Julie Morgenstern Enterprises for the My Healthy campaign. Check it out HERE: VIDEO: http://youtu.be/RgCMC_6UjAA  and visit www.MyHealthy.com for more info. THANKS for all the LIFE OF RILEY LOVE! FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/.  I’ll be with recurring client BET this week (I just wrapped BET UPFRONT 2014).  p.s. I got to produce recurring client Wendy Williams as she discovered her Disney Side on a recent family vacation to Walt Disney World ® Resort when she tasted food and drinks from around the world at Epcot - Walt Disney World Center! http://youtu.be/76FBGNfZ7vQ; Wendy discovered her Disney Side when she became a Princess for a Day: VIDEO: http://youtu.be/n0nWYUq_3KQ; There was the Thrill Ride piece from Disney's Hollywood Studios: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNMeClGC828#t=0;   and our FINALE: Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRc0POz-C10#t=0.  I had the privilege of producing her down there and working with her show’s team to put these special pieces together. A JOY! Thanks ALL for your support! XO Though I've produced several integrations for the show, this DISNEY project WAS A GREAT ENCORE to our British Virgin Islands integration a couple of years ago: PART 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZJZDNu3ztM  and PART 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sm2Z1CqJr0

TANIKA RAY

P. FRANK WILLIAMS

My Spelman sister Tanika Ray's NYC baby shower just took place at 44 1/2.Fun, well appointed room of Spelman sisters with whom I went to school, associates from the business, and the dad of Tanika's bundle of joy, my industry brother P. Frank Williams whose production company produces a lot of hit shows like "Unsung", "Unsung Hollywood", and Centric's "BEING". CONGRATS TO THE BEAUTIFUL NEW FAMILY! Ant and I may consider some babysitting - next time you all are east!

 MARA SCHIAVOCAMPO

After Tanika and Frank’s event, it was CINQO DE MARA time! BFF Mara Schiavocampo and hubby Tommie Porter hosted a fight party that kept us all in a joyous mood. P. Frank joined us. Sidra was in the house as well as Derrick, buddies Will and Joe, and a host of the FAB usual suspects that make CASA PORTER the place to be! Then to BOBBY ROACHE's birthday set in Union Square. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOBBY!

MAURICE MARABLE

 I continue to be proud and thrilled for high school BFF/brother for life, Maurice Marable. This, for his latest milestone. Mo directed the short film that introduced the President this past Saturday at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The spot follows Julia Louis-Dreyfus (of HBO's VEEP) and VP Joe Biden as they skip the dinner and hang out for the day, featuring cameos by FLOTUS Michelle Obama, Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner. Mo shot the top-secret project (written by VEEP writers) in a day and a half. #savannahintheWHITEhouse http://youtu.be/da5tjfpKyac

STEPHANIE GUERILUS

SHOUT OUT to NABJ little sister, Stephanie Guerilus, who booked me for one of NABJ’s fabulous panels – this particular one held in NYC! She’s been between project and harnessing her energy in the direction of a self-published novel, “By Any Means Necessary”. It centers on a teenage girl who wants to be the next big superstar. However, she encounters some issues on her way to greatness:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1497442672/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_ClCytb0D96HRVFYN I told her I would tell you folks to check it out! SUMMER READING TIME! CONGRATS, STEPHANIE!

AND ONE REMINDER ABOUT "BILLIE'S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE" WITH "MOTOWN THE MUSICAL" THIS MAY!

http://bit.ly/mm_darius

http://bit.ly/mm_jules

http://bit.ly/mm_geneva

http://bit.ly/mm_carla

http://bit.ly/mm_xosha

http://bit.ly/mm_jeremy

http://bit.ly/mm_patrick

http://bit.ly/mm_ephraim

http://bit.ly/mm_larry

http://bit.ly/mm_ariana

http://bit.ly/mm_kevin

Since last I posted, SO MUCH HAS GONE DOWN – from DIVAS to DADDY!

Let’s go!

ARISE 360

http://youtu.be/DYghWCBasyo Motown the Musical,Monifah Carter, and the LIFE OF RILEY have been crossing paths a lot lately - in recent weeks at: Billie's Black Gourmet Soul for Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH Patrick L. Riley. http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/2/something-to-talk-about.html. A few weeks after that at Monifah Carter's R&B Divas: Atlanta PREMIEREPARTY in Harlem at The Corner Social: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/23/soul-out-loud.html. AND THIS WEEK at my home away from home when it comes to on-camera pop culture analysis: Arise Entertainment 360 with my friends Lola Ogunnaike and Shannon Lanier - both of whom I want to congratulate as CentricTV will be syndicatingArise360 in the Fall (an announcement made recently at the Ziegfeld Theatre for the BET UPFRONT 2014 - the last project on which I worked for recurring clientBET (TV network) Creative Services). Monifahappeared on this same edition in which I analyze the Tony nominations for 2014 - including a host of surprises, celebrations, and upsets! SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to my girl Anika Noni Rose and everybody at A Raisin in the Sun (1961 film): BROADWAY. Though Denzel didn't get the nod, the show is still an AWESOME, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED impression for The Great White Way. "ROCKY" WINS or could win! ALSO: We didn't get to mention Audra McDonald whose turn as LADY DAY may garner her a SIXTH TONY AWARD -a grand-slam record breaker, if she's victorious. Here's a link to my most recent Broadway round-up with ARISE several weeks back: http://youtu.be/AijZZeZgFkQ. We talked NEW MUST-SEE BROADWAY SHOWS! Last year, I predicted the TONY AWARDS nominations:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTd5S1wKUs0. A few weeks prior to that, I was on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 to talk BROADWAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxfe-hG_aY. In the aforementioned ARISE 360 Broadway segment, I predicted the iconic Cicely Tyson would be nominated for her role in Broadway's "The Trip to Bountiful". And she was!! YAY! So, they played that clip and referenced my prediction the following day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuJEs6ruin0. I was again on ARISE recently to talk GATSBY: the book, the film(s), the blueprint on hip hop! HERE'S THE LINK:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBT9mSmfmCo. TWITTER handles for the day include: @themonifah for MONIFAH CARTER! And @thetonyawards for THE TONY AWARDS! CONGRATS to all the nominees - including "After Midnight" - currently featuring Vanessa Williams as guest vocalist. Fantasia is coming back! And Patti LaBelle;  Gladys Knight, and Natalie Cole have JUST been announced for the summer. What a line-up!And for the telecast, which will be hosted again (a fourth time) by Hugh Jackman who took a selfie of us a few months ago. Speaking of Broadway (as she starred on The Great White Way this past summer), recurring client "The Wendy Williams Show" has booked me to work on a project this week. Look for it on the show next week! Stay tuned... and as always THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S SUPPORT OF THE LIFE OF RILEY!#billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #motownmay

BET UPFRONT

I’m proud to have been working this past couple of months with recurring client BET! It was the BET UPFRONT 2014 for which I got the chance to work with the Creative Services team there on the video and art/design presentations. From the big screen of the Ziegfeld – home of most NYC WORLD PREMIERES, was a treat to see my work! The clients and advertisers seemed pleased! Afterwards, all gathered at The London for a post-set. Among many at BET Upfront '14, Brandy and MC Lyte were among them – ushering in BET’s upcoming programming – including: 1. 8th season return of “The Game” (all of the cast was in the house); 2. Real Husbands of Hollywood is coming back; 3. Being Mary Jane (the cast is finishing up filming the season finale now); 4. Sunday’s Best; 5. 106 & Park; 6. There will be three new scripted shows – including Diggy Simmons show “The Start Up” in which Diggy stars as a young entrepreneur. He and his crew who explore the city, love, etc. - with Teyana Taylor in tow; 7. “Gone Gospel” is a reality show hosted by Kirk Franklin. Secular artists come together for GOSPEL BOOTCAMP. The winner wins $100k; 8. A new game show, Got Game. Three men will go on dates with a woman in disguise and they have to depend on ‘their game’ and not looks to win their prize date over; 9. Three original movies will premiere: a) Let The Church Say Amen, directed by Regina King, tells the story of a preacher and his family as they face life’s challenges. b) The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker is the black version of the Nutcracker. Raven Simone will appear in the film. c) Book of Negroes is the a six part mini series, with Cuba Gooding and Louis Gossett Jr; 10. Centric’s Programming includes:

Being

According to Him and Her

Read Between the Lines

Arise 360 (the show on which I am a recurring pop culture analyst)

Single Ladies

Soul Train Awards

Centric Comedy All Stars

–Centric will also air The Wendy Williams Show, The Talk and the Queen Latifah Show.

–KeKe Palmer’s new talk show was also announced.

–The network announced a new BET platform (health, image, service) dedicated to the black man, called His BET.

R&B DIVAS

After BET Upfront, Monifah and team asked me to still stop by their premiere. Got another KeKe moment plus some Syleena time. They say they are coming back to ALL STAR KARAOKE sometime soon. We'll keep the mics hot for them! Shout out to Musa Jackson Productions LLC for putting on a FAB set at Corner Social in Harlem last night. My guys Savoy Walker and Mark A Forrest of SMEG asked me on behalf of Monifah to host their event! Because of BET UPFRONT, I couldn’t meet the hosting time. But I’m told my BFF Sidra Smith, NAACP Image Award Winning Producer did a FAB job of introducing the DIVAS! Always a pleasure to see Monifah’s wife Terez – another of my favorite DIVAS! CONGRATS, R&B DIVAS! LOVE YOU ALL! Check out the GREAT TIME I had with KEKE this week: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/23/soul-out-loud.html. And we ADORED when our FIRST ALL STAR R&B DIVA came to our OPENING NIGHT: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/2/something-to-talk-about.html. #ENDLESSLOVE

DIVAS & AMAZING GRACE  – SERVED UP ATL-STYLE

Was n ATL for DAD's 80th BDAY! But more on that in a minute. Dad's before-BDAY festivities included performances from my brother Herman and me for our sister Janice at her "church secretary" appreciation. But LIFE OF RILEY and my dear friends are around wherever I go! So, I had to FIRST catch up with friends - Chandra, her son Gavin, Lamoh, my Audrey, DR. J's beautiful wife Dorys Madden, "R&B Divas-Atlanta"s own and ex-DESTINY's-CHILD-two-time-Grammy-winner Latavia - all at Tijuana Garage for lunch! LOVE A-T-L! XO

80-YEAR-YOUNG DADDY

 Dad turns 80! WOW! All his kids (and grandkid) were in the house at ATL's Paschal's! Plus, other fam, friends, and special surprises! LOVE MY DAD! XO

MY TRIBUTE:

For those in my world, THE LIFE OF RILEY is about pop culture and possibilities. But I would have NO LIFE were it not for this RILEY. His name is Herman. Most call him Mickey. I call him Dad. And he is all of those names and more inside a shell of character, principle, and work ethic that is unmatched by any of the luminaries and la-la-land folks with whom I get the chance to rub shoulders on the daily. Dad recently referenced that my ambitions were seen early on. I wasn't so sure he was paying attention. But then again, I do re-imagine our regular visits to the public library (remember those?) and I remember that no matter his nudgings for me to consider books on sports and boy stuff, he never stopped me from getting any of the books I actually wanted to read and soak up: celebrity bios, dance/theater arts/Broadway reference books, pop culture, and self-help. LOL! Even at 9 years old! LMAO! And though I also had daily witness to a man of traditions, morals, and mores - just what you'd expect from a Southern, gentle one, I never once felt a complex from him that strategizing and navigating myself inside the realm of pop culture and entertainment couldn't be a way in which I'd make a successful living. And so it is. Additionally, he challenged me. Asked difficult questions. Made thoughtful comparisons. All for the greater good. And his gentle and constructive brand of fatherhood makes me know that all is infinitely possible with a great mix of faith, hard work, and passion. I am who I am today because of Herman Lee Riley and I am SO PROUD to call him MY FATHER! We THANK GOD to still have him at 80 YEARS YOUNG! XO

GREENHOPE

I'm basking in the glow today of Dad's 80TH BDAY CELEBRATION this past weekend in Atlanta where ALL OF HIS KIDS were together WITH HIM for the first time in a LONG TIME...and his GRANDSON, TOO! So, he says, it made for one of his BEST BIRTHDAYS EVER! Great times notwithstanding, Ant and had to suffer through a flight delay to get back home as he and I have lots of work on cue. With little time for new projects, I couldn't resist an invitation from Robin Stone, Greenhope Services for Women Board member and my NABJ sister and birthdate-mate, to help her out on something special. A few years back, she asked me to host a fundraiser for this agency which works women involved with the criminal justice system who are struggling with substance abuse: http://www.greenhope.org/. THIS TIME, she's asked me to narrate a highlight video on all the great work the agency is doing to help women reclaim their lives, reunite with their families and rebuild their communities. On the ask, my A-TEAM in PRODUCTION stepped in to GIVE A LOT for a LITTLE to this great cause. Today, I'm at my favorite DP James Curry's place, Mindfile Multimedia, to record my VO narration for this project and to screen the bites from the interviews I did at GREENHOPE - excerpts of which will be sprinkled inside of the highlight video which unveils at the annual gala May 14th. Mindfile Multimedia and I have a mutual client in "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" for which we've collaborated on many segments - including recent shoots with Geraldo Rivera, Fran Drescher, and Mel B. But we've done tons of them as excerpted in this promo: http://www.oprah.com/own-where-are-they-now/Oprah-Where-Are-They-Now-Season-2-Preview-Video. Editor EXTRAORDINAIRE Mitch Jacobson is cutting this piece at his CATEGORY 5 STUDIOS: http://www.category5studios.com/! THANKS MITCH! He and I last worked together on WENDY WILLIAMS' MAGICAL WATCH AND WIN from Walt Disney World Resort! PIECE 1: http://youtu.be/n0nWYUq_3KQ; PIECE 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76FBGNfZ7vQ; PIECE 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNMeClGC828; PIECE 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRc0POz-C10. GREENHOPE has been around since 1979. CONGRATS to ALL!

BELLE

I'd sent out the RIPPLE a few months ago - noting that in the wake of 12 YEARS A SLAVE that FOX Searchlight had another much-buzzed-about, historical chunk of Black history and cinema on its roster: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/3/4/valid-dreams.html.  Remember it was my Harlem buddy Tracy Grant who hipped me to her brother in law's new film (He's UK producer Damian Jones of D.J Films). "BELLE" hails from Fox Searchlight Pictures the way that 12 Years a Slave did a year or so ago... and this HISTORIC TALE brings forth yet another story that chronicles the horrors of slavery and what reversals and progressions have transpired in its time. I would be remiss if I did not mention Belle's director Amma Asante http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1392994/ It opens May 2, Mothers Day. Please spread the word! #belle #12yearsaslave #foxsearchlight! Great to meet everybody tonight! And a SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to Fox Searchlight's own Cassandra Butcher who always makes sure I'm in the house as well - from our longstanding relationship of introducing the great cinematic fare that comes from her desk often to the National Association of Black Journalists Convention via the NABJ Arts and Entertainment Task Force which I once Chaired --- including many of John Singleton's titles and "Beast of the Southern Wild" and - just last year - '12 Years'. Cassandra! You are the BEST! BFF Carl Nelson and I attended the WORLD PREMIERE of BELLE tonight at New York City's PARIS movie house. Was great to see recently-CENTRIC-syndicated host of one of my pop-culture-analysis platforms ARISE 360, Lola Oguinnake; MSNBC's own and former host of former pop-culture-analysis platform "Don't Sleep" T.J. Holmes (who co-hosted "The View" again today); Phylicia Rashad, "A Raisin in the Sun"s Anika Noni Rose (who just did an awesome turn in Lifetime's Terrie McMillan adaptation for "Day Late Dollar Short"); Chenoa and the girls from recurring client OWN's "Love In The City"; my industry girlfriends like marketing guru Jacquie Lee; MISS Monica Bailey; pr diva Katrina Boswell; ABC 7 anchor Sandra Bookman; and a host of others. And my industry fellow fam was in the mix too - like pr maven Theo Perry; MY favorite arts and culture writer Karu Daniels; film critic with the MOST, Wilson Morales; and many more. Please charge to my head and not my heart where I may not have called your name because it was so great to see everybody, I can't remember all. #BELLEMOVIE written by Misan Sagay FUN MONDAY NIGHT! XO

GET READY KARAOKE

After getting the opportunity to host the opening night carpet for MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ), I'm THRILLED to announce this new partnership: MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL and BILLIE'S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley are partnering for MOTOWN MAY! Find out all the DEETS and how our night last week with KEKE went by clicking here - the latest edition of LIFE OF RILEY: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/23/soul-out-loud.html. BUT LAST NIGHT was "GET READY" Tuesday where we promoted MOTOWN's catalog as an option for our ALL STAR KARAOKE folks to prepare for #motownmay #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

A LITTLE EVIDENCE OF THE BLAST WE’RE HAVING:

1. PATRICK GETS READY FOR #MOTOWNMAY W/"I WANT YOU BACK"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152181242383737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

2. EPHRAIM & ERIC GET READY for #motownmay with "END OF THE ROAD"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152181275628737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

3. PATRICK GETS READY FOR #MOTOWNMAY WITH "GOT TO GIVE IT UP"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152181301813737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

 THE REDLAND

Shout out to my ATL homeboy with whom I got the chance to really bond while I spent time in L.A. circa 2009! THANKS DEREK LAFAYETTE! He is currently consulting for The Redland, an eclectic Atlanta based hip-hop duo: think Outkast meets Macklemore and Lewis. They're an edgy, philanthropic group that promotes positivity and individuality... and I hear they are my MOREHOUSE BROTHERS! The Redland has a devout social media fan base and they have a strong presence in Atlanta - the burgeoning entertainment market. Cutting edge director Don Lee shot the "Survive' video. Don is also directing "Love Thief" in LA within the next four weeks. Veteran radio promotions executive, Issy Sanchez (Cash Money Records, etc), is currently working "Survive" at pop radio. Major labels are interested in signing the group. His team is releasing the project independently July 2014. They have distribution through eOne. The group also has a "hot new artist" article that recently ran in the highly coveted music industry magazine, Amalgamation: (please see article link) http://www.amalgamationmag.com/website/amalgamated/discovering-the-redland/ They recently performed at the up South By Southwest convention in March and killed it. They also will be performing at the Urban Network convention in May.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwB9cmIiTuE&feature=youtu.be

HERE’S THE REDLAND BIO:

Born and raised in the Redlands of Oklahoma and Louisiana respectively, Kose and Earv were naturally inspired to call the music duo they would go on to form 'The Redland.' But once their individual forms of expression crossed paths and began to meld into a dynamic sound that they considered a "state of mind" and a "voice that brings people together,” The Redland transcended the reference of simply being where they’re from to becoming an all-inclusive artistic movement. Earv and Kose, whose collective influences run the gamut from John Lennon and Bob Marley to The Fugees and OutKast (artists known for their culture-shifting musical contributions), met while matriculated at Morehouse college in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta – which they’ve also adopted as part of their origins - and the Southern Hip Hop culture that defined it became fertile ground for the two, individually, to more deeply explore their musical talents.  Then those talents collided.

Through either happenstance or fate, it was discovered while in the midst of hanging out with mutual friends that Earv had an affinity for writing and Kose was a capable vocalist and producer.  So, the pair decided to play around with creating music together.  But what began as playful experimentation turned into production of a unique and compelling sound that deserved to be taken more seriously.  

Defined as Hip Hop for practical purposes, Earv’s and Kose’s conscious lyrics and hybrid sound - which seamlessly incorporates the myriad genres they were exposed to growing up - began to take on a life of its own.  They began hearing their music played by friends and strangers and seeing it gaining momentum on social networking sites without their intervention.  That and the realization that Hip Hop as they saw it was stuck in one gear, hitting the same "I'm richer, can get drunker and can have more sex than you” note is when they began seeing their contribution to the art form as more of a responsibility than “having fun.”  Things took off from there and The Redland officially became a “Hip Hop movement born out of the soil,” representing those who desired to hear and be heard.

“We want the fans to feel they're a part of this inclusive group and they have a say in our direction and the type of music we make," they said.  "We also try to look at ourselves honestly and really get that across to our audience.  We don't let the genre define us, we define our own music and we're just ourselves.  We feel like we have something to say, something to make an impact and we feel like it's something that's needed.

The Redland’s new album, Enlightened Contagion - named so out of the understanding of how easily negative things can spread, and how “dope it would be if positivity could spread just as easily,” will be released this July on Redland Entertainment through eOne Distribution.

MOMENTUM HONORS

It is a privilege to announce that I will be honored and celebrated at the Fourth Annual Momentum Honors Gala Fundraiser for Momentum Teens for Leadership. I am holding court with an extraordinary group of people who will be honored that night. This year they are honoring 4 graduates, celebrating Momentum Education's 11th anniversary and Momentum Teens For Leadership's 4th year in existence. There will also be two other awards given - The Momentum Teens for Leadership Teen Possibility Award and The Robin Diane Lynn Lifetime Contribution Award. The honorees this year are:

Tuesday 3 of Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE w/ Patrick L. Riley" was a HOME RUN! This week, there was something for everyone! Of course, my ALL STAR KARAOKE supersrars were in the house at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul - from celebrity hairstylist Carla Bone to Chef Roblé & Co.'s Artie Thompson (also head of A2 Collections, Inc. - a brilliant array of bow-ties who did brilliant turns on Miss Ross' "It's My Turn": https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152151065363737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater and "My Old Piano": https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152151066318737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater) to Laurence Pinckney ( Zenbiz Travel (LGBT)) to our usual and FABULOUS suspects Ephraim, Toyce Francis (whose LGBT web series and short film site is http://iseegaypeople.tv/), Antar, et al. Also, friends who've been announcing their attendance made it -- from Danielle Johnson and Charzette Torrence AKA Charlie T ( Jillian's Peak Tv): https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152151066843737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater to homegirl Kamaria Milford (CBS News) to my BET colleague, karaoke enthusiast to fellow LIFE AFTER pop culture analyst and BET.com entertainment reporter supreme Clay Cane () and awesome singer Jeremy Trott. Also we introduced a FAB sistah from Germany, "B.B"! And I always say the "kids" turned it! This time, literally: 8-year-old Billie (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152151064533737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater) and her brother, 6-year-old
Henderson (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152151061553737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater) turned it out - not only singing beautifully, but reading every word off that screen than me! LOL! In addition to our yummy drink specials, we even had a giveaway from Harlem's own and my last-namesake Joseph Riley Land as in Riley-Land (A Gourmet Pantry): www.riley-land.com; Twitter and Instagram: @RileyLandPantry; Facebook: Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry (www.facebook.com/rileylandgourmetpantry).: Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry. Joseph donated a wonderful gift bag of goodies and an Uber-car credit to our event. We chose randomly the name of one of our ALL STAR KARAOKE first-timers Jonathan. THANK YOU! Please be sure to come back as we have some fun partnerships to soon announce for May. Plus, we never know who will come by "Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE w/ Patrick L. Riley". Thanks to all for your support! Come on out! #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

OTHER LIFE OF RILEY TID BITS

Good weekend! Because of friend and colleague Derrick Hemphill, we got in (1) THE YANKEES!! Derrick's college buddy Katrina was visiting. FUN! And we also got in some BROADWAY prep for my next segments in which I’ll be breaking down all the many offerings on THE GREAT WHITE WAY: THE REALISTIC JONESES and Audra McDonald in a revival of the one-woman homage to BILLIE HOLLIDAY! WONDERFUL SHOWS! Then, http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2013/6/9/magic-2-do.html, you folks know I’d written last year attending my friend Chenoa Maxwell’s NYC solo debut LEADERS OF THE COOL - a one-night pop up photo exhibit showcasing an awesome round-table of artistic, cultural muses that Chenoa holds dear. The guests included Chef Roble; NFL great Curtis Martin; my BFF Sidra Smith; poet Mumms; our New Ro buddies Cynthia, Elijah, Beyonce's stylist Ty; and too many to mention. Was great to run into Danny Simmons who introduced Chenoa who had a chorus of cameras chronicling her special night for what is now an OWN show: LOVE IN THE CITY! - http://www.oprah.com/app/own-tv.html #LoveInTheCity #BeMagnifico #ReenaTreats CONGRATS, CHENOA and ALL of her FAB co-stars!

Shout out to my girlfriend Sidra Smith for ensuring Ant and I were in the house for "A NEW ODYSSEY" – The Romare Bearden Fundation FESTIVE FUNDRAISER!

Backdrop: THE LIGHTHOUSE AT CHELSEA PIERS IN NEW YORK CITY. 

 

HONORED: THE PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITED NATIONS, JOHN W. ASHE; PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAIT ARTIST SIMMIE KNOX; BUSINESSMAN, COLLECTOR E.T. WILLIAMS, NOW EMERITUS CHAIR OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 

HOSTED BY: T.J. HOLMES

Always a pleasure to hang with TJ!
FEATURING: AUCTION, ROVING SUPPER, SPECIAL GUESTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT BY RECORDING ARTIST LUKE JAMES AND DJ RASHIDA!

IN THE HOUSE: So many but I’ll shout out a few: JONES Magazine Publisher L LONDELL MCMILLAN; artist/therapist JEANINE PRIMM JONES; Rush Arts own DANNY SIMMONS; and many more! FUN NIGHT!

GO TO WWW.BENEFITOFFICE.ORG/BEARDEN 

So glad Ant was in the house to grab some special moments at BILLIE’S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley! #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

NIGHT ONE was amazing!

http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/2/something-to-talk-about.html

WAS A GREAT NIGHT TWO – highlight for me being the SING-A-LONG of Natalie Cole’s “OUR LOVE”!

VIDEO EXCERPT 1:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152135753883737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater

VIDEO EXCERPT 2: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152135603883737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater

THANKS to ALL our ALL-STARS who came out to celebrate Kevin Anthony’s birthday:

VIDEO EXCERPT:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152135734368737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater

Kenneth Carr - hubby of my boo Shareen King Carr. Kenny Carr our first ALL-STAR KARAOKE instrumentalist (His “Don’t Stop Believing” made us ALL believe!):

VIDEO EXCERPT:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152135694263737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater

our regulars oh-the-day – including Ephraim, the FABULOUS Belinda Munro who sang her Belinda Munro FACE OFF:

VIDEO EXCERPT:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152135740083737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater

ALSO IN THE HOUSE:  

karaoke buddy with the most Jamar Dunn

and was that my friend, New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ) President Michael J. Feeney? IT WAS!

And Penwah Phynjuar came back and inspired a fun group to round out the ALL-STAR vocals – including my “Our Love” (SEE THE CLIP); their “Poison” by BBD; and a number of other great tunes.

EXCERPT:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152135689228737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater

 Yes! That was Gwendolyn Quinn! And Toni Seawright’s “Earth Song” was nothing short of stunning.  

EXCERPT:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152135717973737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater

We are so humbled, Toni Seawright!

Lisa Bonner made everybody “Happy”.

We were anyway, hence the “Happy Birthday” we did for Kevin Anthony II (Stevie-style).  

And we get DRUNK IN LOVE with the help of Harlem’s and the APOLLO’s own Nina Flowers!

VIDEO EXCERPT:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152135752783737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater

Cousin Shantay even got in on the FUN – singing Pink’s “Glitter in the Air”!

VIDEO EXCERPT:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152135746008737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater

And there were just too many fabulous moments on our second night – another packed house one week after TV-One’s R&B Divas’ Monifah Carter and Terez Mychelle; “Fashon Queens” Bevy Smith; and many more! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KEVIN-ANTHONY! HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL NEXT TUESDAY! For those who want to celebrate their birthdays - "All Star Karaoke" style with Patrick L. Riley - please tell Kevin Anthony LIFE OF RILEY sent you - so you can find out how you can celebrate with us at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul. 7-10pm. Tuesday. Hope to see you there. #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

OMARI BANKS

My friend Michelle Sanchez Boyce is a long-standing music exec - from A&R to Management from Jamie Foxx to Miguel! She's currently representing new reggae artist, Omari Banks. Omari Banks – 2014 Anguillan Artist of the Year – has a unique Caribbean sound. The accomplished cricket player is the son of legendary Anguillan reggae artist Bankie Banx; his recording of “Unafraid” was the number one music video in the Caribbean in 2013 and remained in the top 10 of Tempo’s Cross Caribbean Countdown for seventeen weeks. The video for his recently released second single, “Jehovah Message,” garnered over 20,000 hits in the first week. (See it yourself at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZnktBaaa-M)

 AND SHE INVITED Ant and me out last night to PARK 112 to meet Omari and some other players who are supporting his AMERICA TAKE-OVER – including Meatpacking’s own Brian Gold (Owner, GRIFFIN and SUGAR FACTORY) and MS. BODEGA (https://www.facebook.com/MissBodega). Check out Omari’s ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfkk5FqY27E.

SPEAKING OF MS. BODEGA

 Shout out to that FABULOUS ARTIST and PRODUCER MS. BODEGA and her brother Jon Levy. They invited Ant and me up to their Upper Westside "Influencers Dinner" after-set

 (They are the adult kids of famed fine artist Benjamin Levy).

Fav pianist and friend ELEW is in the house!! As always, he turns it out!
Special shout out to our special host "Ms. Bodega". Her new single that she's putting out with LalaBela and Commissioner Gordon is a Dance track. "FLY SO HIGH" is a socially empowering music track. Follow her:

Facebook: Batsheva Ms.Bodega
Facebook Fanpage: Ms.Bodega
Twitter: Batsheva@Ms_Bodega
Instagram: MsBodegaaa

About The Bodega Movement & Mission:

Bodega World Music,LLC is a company that attempts to carry the message of Ms.Bodega as an artist and hopes to fulfill projects that represent unity, peace and the blending of cultures through music, fashion and dance. Its vision is to take on projects that have the ability to break down boundaries and stereotypes between people of different countries, religions and political backgrounds as a catalyst for celebrating each others cultures,for unity and for the realization that humanity comes first.

Ms.Bodega as a music artist is coming out with a New Campaign led by recorded music, live performances, Fashion and product integration to be marketed in the world of the New Digital Wave. These days we often see Music artists having a Bigger influence than politicians do. They can reach the youth with a word or a song in a way nobody else can. This is True Power of Influence. Ms. Bodega is about Positive Power and believes in using Power to move people, spread Light and inspire those who think they Can't.

Ms. Bodega and Bodega World Music is currently partnering up with Lalabela Entertainment Group/Alliance, 7-time Grammy Award Winner "Comissioner Gordon" WIlliams, The Manhattan Center and Leading Top Digital Media Marketing Technologists in order to reach a GLOBAL audience.

EPK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I915o5cXAMs&list=PL64835B6FD83A6F5C

Ms.Bodega Live (Show Reel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLwQcqnz3dM&list=PL64835B6FD83A6F5C

Interview on Fit n' Fine Show (Public Access TV -100,000 Viewers)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLsN8GT-nZA

Top Of The World (Music Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpGZvvb3UdE&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL64835B6FD83A6F5C

Ms.Bodega Interviews Ky-mani Marley and Rohan Marley at Live show (Barbi,Telaviv)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zgDsSM9i2g&list=PL64835B6FD83A6F5C

Ms. Bodega Youtube Search (videoes,interviews,live performances etc..)
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ms+bodega&sm=12

VANESSA WILLIAMS

In Jan 1995, Ernest Maynor and I flew up from ATL to see Vanessa Williams on Broadway in Kiss of the Spider Woman. Apr 2014, BFFs see her in After Midnight on Broadway! FULL CIRCLE! p.s. I got to interview Fran Drescher this week. She's on Broadway in "Cinderella". More from this later...

AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!