A Day In "The Life Of Riley"

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.

5.) And anytime pictures or video can support an entry (in the blog, and perhaps in the subsequent podcasts, my space, and website), those visuals will keep things aesthetically enrolling. That section will be called "MY TUBE".

PLAYING TO THE POP IN POSSIBILITIES!

Patrick L. Riley

Entries in BilliesBlack (1)

something to talk about

Billie’s Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley - starting with a VIDEO EXCERPT sizzle produced by DERRICK HEMPHILL who supported the song selections duirng the evening:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152123074463737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater

VIDEO EXCERPT: Maxwell's THIS WOMAN'S WORK by Patrick L. Riley

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152123190033737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater

VIDEO EXCERPT: Diana Ross' MISSING YOU by Patrick L. Riley (TRIBUTE to Marvin Gaye on the 30th Anniversary of his passing)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152123198808737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater&notif_t=video_comment

VIDEO EXCERPT: Mariah Carey's CAN'T LET GO by Patrick L. Riley
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152126865728737

Billie's Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley kicked off! And what an awesome round-up of ALL STARS led by "R&B Diva" Monifah whose new season begins on TV-One Wednesday, April 23rd at 10p. She sang Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About" and Jill Scott's "Getting in the Way".I had to catch up with her on-stage - so she could clue us in on how to stay in touch with her and support her upcoming projects. She also serenaded me at one point. She also joined me impromptu on Monica's "Love All Over Me". Monifah's beautiful wife Terez, a recent buddy, accompanied her. Three BRAVO-TV All-Stars were in the house - "Chef Roble & Co"s Artie Thompson; and my friend Bevy Smith from "Fashion Queens" who performed "Slave 4U" by Britney Spears and Tina Turner's "Private Dancer". And "Real Hosewives of DC"s Paul Wharton, TV personality and style expert Paul Wharton came and sang. He and I did "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" by Aretha Fraanklin and George Michael. We also did "The Boss" with Black2Broadway's Kevin Anthony, head of events at Billie's Black and a well-respected singing pro. Kevin Anthony did a wonderful rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine". All of this, while my BFF Sidra Smith worked the room. We are all still celebrating her NAACP Image Awards win (Producer of Angela Davis documentary "Free Angela"). Also in the mix: celebrity hairstylist Carla Bone; my karaoke doppelganger; Coach Billy (from doc "Little Ballers"); and a room full of my buddies; family; and friends - including Broadway triple threat/Morehouse brother Maurice McRae, Ant, Kevin "Moochie" Freeman, Lisa Bonner, Esq. AKA "inner-rocker chick", Derrick (who helped out immensely), Jamar, Ryan, Ern, Tatiana, Pedro, Blair, Ivonne, Elisabeth (from Norway), Laurence, Mario, Ephraim, Horace, my Penwah, Leonard, Jason, and so many more! GREAT FIRST NIGHT!
Please come out next Tuesday April 8th and join us as we celebrate THE Kevin Anthony's special birthday. Sing him a song or two at All Star Karaoke or just come hang out. If you too want to celebrate your birthday with Karaoke, just drop a line to b2productions1@gmail.com. It's a great way to celebrate for you and your friends. I hope to see you all there. Please feel free to pass this along and let everyone know we are back. ALL STAR KARAOKE with PATRICK RILEY at BILLIE'S BLACK. Make your reservations today. Big shout out to Adrian and Marian who run Billie's Black and allow us a backdrop of beautiful art, great food, and drink specials (including a signature ALL STAR KARAOKE cocktail, "The Life of Riley" - rum, cola, and lime). And as always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke

ABBY Z and MORE!

Spent the first part of this rainy Sunday afternoon with Ant – a delicious brunch of FAB cuisine and cocktails from Hillstone Restaurant. I then had to head straight to SiriusXM Studios to be a guest on “Abby Z +1” podcast! #abbyZ show! I got to promote Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/3/24/billies-black-presents-all-star-karaoke-with-patrick-riley.html - #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke; Fashion Link V.I. presents FVIFW Fashion Weekend (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/3/12/fashionlinkvi-fashion-weekend-in-st-croix.html); and all things “Motown: The Musical” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ); and so much more! Great INTERVIEW and ROUND-TALK, ABBY! ALSO in the mix: Gwen DeVoe – Founder and Executive Director of Full Figured Fashion Week (http://fffweek.com/2014/); model/stylist Elizabeth Taylor (http://www.laliznyc.com/); aerial choreographer Brooke Notary (http://www.brooknotary.com/); and new Abercrombie & Fitch model Josh.

Special shout out to Abby Z's producer Jamison! Cool cat! Smart! And uber-talented! Thanks Jamison!

Taha, Manivone, and BUA!

MEANWHILE, Ant had to go and represent our household by going to @Corridor Gallery in Brooklyn to support our “brother” Taha Clayton who was a part of a group show presented by Rush Arts and curated by Charlotte Mouquin Voznesenskaya. The group exhibition of contemporary portraits also included the work of Kate Crilley Fauvell, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Jas Knight, and Sylvia Parker Maier – all contemporary portrait painters working in Brooklyn, NY. These works range in subject and size but create painted portraits of people around us in our everyday lives. As always, CONGRATS TAHA! I caught the tail end! But most importantly, got to hang with Ant’s and my new niece via Taha and Ant’s Brooklyn-based, Denver-born-and-raised BFF Manivone: new niece Bua-Lienh ("line of lotus flowers") named after her great grandma.

HAPPY 70^TH BDAY MISS ROSS

It’s no surprise that MISS ROSS is my FAVORITE! And many can’t believe she’s just turned 70! I am BLESSED to have danced and sung on-stage with her. I’ve interviewed her several times. And of of those times, got the OMG moment of posing with THE BOSS in my arms! Well, many of us ROSS-ers got together to DANCE to DIANA – an event organized by ONE OF MY DIANA ROSS BFFs Dustin Fitzharris who DESCRIBED our night at THE MONSTER BEST: "I've gotten so excited that I almost have no voice left."

Last night was truly a special night at the Diana Ross dance in New York. Thank you to everyone who came out and all of those who were there in spirit. The DJ played four hours worth of Diana Ross music---those in attendance would agree, "if there's a cure for this, I don't want it."

There were a lot of highlights, but one that immediately comes to mind is when "Reach Out and Touch" came on and everyone on the dance floor--many who were strangers to each other before the evening began--joined hands and sang together. I smiled all evening seeing everyone have such a good time. Here are the songs that we danced to:

Remember Me (Remix), Gettin' Ready For Love, Dirty Looks (Remix), Tenderness (Chic Mix), Chain Reaction, Workin' Overtime, Love Hangover (Single Version and Extended Alternate) The Boss, No One Gets the Prize

Eaten Alive (Remix) Once in the Morning, Brand New Day, Let's Go Back To Day One, Last Time I Saw Him, Touch Me In The Morning (Almighty Mix and Alternate Vocal) Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Almighty Mix) Lovin', Livin', Givin' (Almighty Mix), Reflections, I Will Survive, You Can't Hurry Love

Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Mirror Mirror, Swept Away, Bottom Line, Take Me Higher (Remix), Carry On, Upside Down, I'm Coming Out, Supremes 12" Mix, Love Child (Remix), Pieces of Ice, Up Front (Remix), It's Never Too Late, Surrender

Muscles (Remix) I Want You, Your Love Is So Good For Me (12"), Reach Out and Touch, It's Not Unusual, It's My Turn, It's My House, Baby Love, Stop in the Name of Love, I Hear a Symphony, Someday We'll Be Together (Remix), You Keep Me Hangin' On

Thanks again to The Monster and everyone there who made it possible and to those who showed off their best dance moves!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS ROSS! See you in JUNE when you perform in NYC on your IN THE NAME OF LOVE TOUR!

#endlesslove

COMING UP

Did recent interviews with Geraldo Rivera, my first NYC boss (circa 1995) and "Scary Sprice" AKA Mel B! Will tell you for what and when it will air another time. But these two "revolutions" will be televised in Summer 2014.