A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

LOVE ME SOME Forest Whitaker! Got to interview him for recurring client NBCBLK in the summer of last year as he was promoting SOUTHPAW: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/forest-whitaker-knockout-southpaw-n399381! Now, he makes his Broadway debut in HUGHIE. Ant and I saw it in previews and highly recommend you see this Hollywood Star Power on the Great White Way. PLUS, it’s a one-act play with no intermission. Tell them LIFE OF RILEY sent you. Use special offer code - HUDWK203 to purchase. Click below and enter the code. http://hughiebroadway.com/ ‪#‎HughieonBroadway ‪#‎HughieBroadway ‪#‎WICG 

curtain

HERE'S THE CLIP OF THE SEGMENT:

http://youtu.be/BKwfoTKRwJ8

HERE'S THE CLIP OF THE FULL SHOW (21 MINUTES IN):http://www.arise.tv/entertainment/arise-360-18-12-9893--- LOTS GOING IN THE LIFE OF RILEY! Looking forward to some downtime down South with my FAM -http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/! But just did a MUST-SEE HOLIDAY SHOWS segment on Arise Entertainment 360 today with my friends Shannon Lanier and - in for Lola Ogunnaike whose maternity leave has begun – Jina Johnson, stand-up comic and multi-media talent. We spoke ABT Nutcracker At Bam with Misty Copeland; Ain't Misbehavin’ at George Faison's Faison Firehouse Theater; Radio City Christmas Spectacular; Motown the Musical; andStanley Bennett Clay’s "RITUAL". I’LL SEND LINK LATER (As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 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 everyday – whether I’m there or not.). Was also great to see cast of DISGRACED as I highly recommended that Broadway show in my last segment:http://youtu.be/zDGZvIY6klY.

I’ve been GUEST CO-HOSTING and doing POP CULTURE/BROADWAY SEGMENTS on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 for a couple of years now - including recent interviews with:
* "Annie" Executive Producer Devon Franklin, whose book "Produced by Faith" is one of my favorites:http://youtu.be/KANSZen0nac; 
* Chef Gabe Thompson presented "Downtown Italian" -http://youtu.be/yESAGSc3yDc; 
* DJ D NICE:http://youtu.be/veNhcCNA1Lg; 
* BRAVO’s Fashion Queens– including my friend Bevy Smith and Miss Lawrence and Derek J: http://youtu.be/hb6gUFK3vsc;
* “THE DUKES OF HAZZARD” themselves: John Schneider (now on Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots) and Tom Wopat (who I mostrecently saw in “The Trip to Bountiful” on Broadway): http://youtu.be/22GqEbrF1OU;
* mega-producer Sean Garrett brought Avery Wilson (former The Voice contestant) to hip us to his upcoming album and to sing Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”:http://youtu.be/TUfq35qKJV4; 
* interview with actor Tony Denison (http://youtu.be/iIkAm7XmEgc);
* interview with actor Christian Kale (http://youtu.be/NFY4gpMivxw); 
Plus, my highlight: Alan Light whose “Let’s Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple Rain” made for blissful chat and inspired Prince’s publicist to send the reclusive singer the link to this interview (http://youtu.be/TKDXudN2yC0); 
* Ben Vereen! (http://youtu.be/a12El8-zU_k); 
* ALSO: Faith Evans (http://youtu.be/LfpHpiQd2pg); etc. #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #motownmay

counting down

After pushing a deadline on a project for BET and doing another ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 segment on the MUST-SEE HOLIDAY SHOWS (21 MINUTES IN): http://www.arise.tv/entertainment/arise-360-18-12-9893, I had to high-tail it to the Dempsey Auditorium in Harlem for a SAGE Harlem holiday talent show for which my friend, Program Manager Christopher Jones, invited me to perform to the awesome group. I sang “Reasons” - 

 https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152666057313737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater, “This Woman’s Work”, and “Endless Love”. GREAT NIGHT!

 SAGE Harlem provides a safe space for LGBT older adults in Harlem and The Bronx. SAGE Harlem is a program of SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders). Learn more at: http://www.sageusa.org/sageharlem. After, with a dozen roses in tow for my performance, I stopped by my Morehouse brother Mario’s holiday set at NABE – also the destination for his weekly Thursday party. He served wonderful bites and wine from a Charlayne Hunter-Gault-owned, South Africa wine label called Passages.

boom kack

We never know who will pop by “Billie’s Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley”.  And this past Tuesday was no exception. ALL STAR KARAOKE faithful Carla Bone – celebrity hairstylist for Kerry Washington, Jada Pinkett Smith, and many more – brought star choreographer (from Lady Gaga to Diddy to Nicki Minaj) and performance artist her own right: Laurie Ann Gibson. She brought such a welcomed zest to the night. We were also able to extend condolences to Miko Branch and the family and friends of Titi Branch of Miss Jessie's, who died last week at the age of 45.http://bit.ly/1yTYVNv In song and silence, we sent good vibrations for healing inside this difficult time. Plus, as our FALL 2014 series of Billie’s Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L Riley comes to a near-close, our amazing partners – including Miss Jessie’s; Riley Land Gourmet Pantry; and a return for the night: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL – a special gift from marketing consultant Marcia Pendelton who brought#MOTOWNMAY IN DECEMBER to #BILLIESBLACKand #ALLSTARKARAOKE. This is another full circle moment as Marcia made it possible for me to be the Opening Night HOST of MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL's video which allowed me TWO interviews with Miss Ross and Berry Gordy that night:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ; and since our #MOTOWNMAY was such a SUCCESS; and since MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL is playing its final performance at Broadway's Lunt Fontanne Theatre on January 18, 2015 (though poised to return to the Nederlander theater July 2016). Use PROMO CODE ABC123 for Discount Tickets. BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE: In additon to its US THEATER TOUR, a UK production is planned for the summer of 2015. MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL has broken the weekly gross box office record at the Lunt Fontanne with million-dollar grossing weeks. Recoup? Check! This spring, the first National Tour of MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL opened to critical acclaim, grossing an impressive $20 Million dollars during a packet, sixteen-week run. UPDATES: My ALL STAR KARAOKE producer Bernice Wooden will keep the party going during the two holiday TUESDAYS left in 2014. And if I get back in time for Tuesday, December 30th… I may pop by to WATCH (and wait in line to sing)! LOL!#getready #motownthemusical #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #motownmay

THEATRE

If you missed my latest pop culture segment on CENTRIC via ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 – chronicling BROADWAY and OFF BROADWAY this time – please check it out here: : http://bit.ly/arisesegment_lor.Shows I cover are Cinderella - including a reference to the "Evil Stepmothers" - Sherri Shepherd and Nene Leakes; The Last Ship (featuring story and music by STING who hipped me to this play at the Opening Night of "Motown: The Musical" - http://youtu.be/KK1yncqPlOQ?list=PL1TUj2SKo8nvZ9A3Ah0NKuFI3BWM5aqru);Les Miserables; You Can't Take it with You; Disgraced; Father Comes Home from the Wars;  While I Yet Live;  and Side Show. Always great to be on with my FAVORITE HOSTS Lola Ogunnaike and Shannon Lanier! YOU can watch them (and me from time to time) - now on Time Warner, Verizon Fios, and On Demand... www.YouTube.com/AriseENT360. I’ll be back on in a couple of weeks to talk about MUST SEE HOLIDAY SHOWS here in NYC! As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #arise360 #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #CENTRICTV

FETE

TUESDAY NIGHT FOUR of our FALL 2014 SERIES of Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley celebrated MY BIRTHDAY! THANKS TO EVERYONE! I FEEL SO BLESSED!AND WHAT A BIRTHDAY IT WAS! New sponsor Miss Jessie's and our weekly partner (since the beginning) Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry gave away lots of goodies. OUR ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULS did their thing - including friend of our special Tuesday night, Mica Hughes - co-star of BRAVO's Blood, Sweat & Heels; Darius Booker; and many more. From my ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULS to many of my INDUSTRY FAM – old and new, I felt so much LOVE! PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO COME OUT AND JOIN US at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul every Tuesday - from 7p-10p! WE ARE TRULY HAVING A BLAST! As always, THANKS for your support! WE LOVE Billie's Black Bar Lounge & Restaurant! THANKS to my team: Bernice Wooden and Derrick Hemphill! AND A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to my friend of 20 years, Carl Nelson – my platonic boo – for bringing saxophonist Kim Waters to serenade me HAPPY BIRTHDAY - http://bit.ly/hbdpatrick_lor. XO #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #meoclock #amor #luxecolore #globalchic #bravotv #bloodsweatheels

OUT

Was nice to celebrate 20 years of LGBT people who have shaped our culture at the OUT 100: 20TH ANNIVERSARY – and with my NYC FAM: my partner Anthony Harper; GMA Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo - author of new book “Thinspired: How I lost 90 Pounds – My Plan for Lasting Weight Loss and Self-Acceptance” (http://books.simonandschuster.com/Thinspired/Mara-Schiavocampo/9781476784052#sthash.uaE3Dryv.dpuf); Derrick Hemphill (ALL STAR KARAOKE consultant and producer of my pop culture segments on Arise Entertainment 360: http://bit.ly/arisesegment_lor) and his date, college friend Katrina Pete Dunn. ALSO GREAT TO SEE: Anthony Wayne and Kendrell Bowman whose Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical is coming back to NYC for ONE NIGHT ONLY January 18, 2015. For tickets, go to www.FabulousSylvester.com. IT’S  A MUST SEE! AND A SPECIAL Shout out to Amanda Johnson who always makes sure DIVERSITY is in the house. She’s booked me as talent on many projects – from the IT GETS BETTER campaign last year:http://www.advocate.com/youth/no-more-bullying/2014/01/24/healing-one-truth-time to inspiring Wells Fargo to hire me as its host for THE ADVOCATE MONEY MINUTE – episodes of which run on-line. Here’s the promo: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/10/introducing%E2%80%A6-new-advocate-money-minute and here are a couple of episodes: CONVERSATIONS: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/16/federal-vs-state  and RETIREMENT: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/11/13/retirement. #OUT100  #moneyminute #wellsfargo #advocate #thenewadvocatemoneyminute #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #ARISE360 #CENTRICTV

SELMA

An early birthday gift from friend Bernice Wooden - a multi-platform producer her own right, including Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley: SELMA – an ADVANCED screening for the first New York City audience. Well, CONGRATS to Director Ava DuVernay - also a friend from when she was high-powered Hollywood publicist Ava DuVernay! NOW, I SMELL OSCAR on her! WOW! Check out BERNICE's write-up on our Monday evening date - proof that RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS (don't) ALWAYS BRING ME DOWN! LOL! http://www.bernicewooden.com/2014/11/17/selma-a-special-advance-screening/ #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #selmafilm

ENGAGEMENT

Great to attend engagement fete in celebration of our friend Dr. Shirley Madhere MD PC and Mr. Michael Weil took place at The New York Public Library – where Ant and I first met December 1, 2005. What an elegant and well-appointed affair. So happy for Dr. Shirley Madhere! Was also nice to see industry fam Michaela angela Davis and Crystal McCrary as well as b michael America "Advanced American Style" who dressed Dr. Shirley Madhere for the dancing portion of the evening. Great job, B Michael America.

BREAD

After toasting and singing into my birthday at Billie’s Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley (with saxophonist Kim Waters serenading me HAPPY BIRTHDAY - http://bit.ly/hbdpatrick_lor) and receiving Whtiney Houston LIVE as one of my gifts (plus the pop cultural gift announcement that Miss Ross will be mentoring with Team Pharrell on The Voice), what else could there be for me? The most amazing dinner that my nephew Herman L Riley III organized at my favorite restaurant Houston’s AKA Hillstone with my partner Anthony Harper and a perfect sampling of my BFFs: Ernest Maynor [childhood friend], Michael K. Watts [Morehouse brother], Mara; and Derrick. We even had a pre-dinner cameo: Miss Lola Ogunnaike with whom I get the chance to guest co-host often on Arise Entertainment 360 and girlfriend Priya Scroggins – designer/lifestyle expert - who baked lovely sweet treats for my birthday party Tuesday: https://www.facebook.com/BelovedStarResort. #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #arise360 #thinspired #thevoice #teampharrell #dianaross #nabj #gma retirement #moneyminute #wellsfargo #advocate #thenewadvocatemoneyminute

SCORPIO

Shout out to my other SCORPIOS – including Robin Stone with whom we got to bowl to ring in her 5-0! ALSO: Miss Ashley Fettig with whom we got to have BDAY Brunch at Mother's Ruin in NOLITA! Scorpio season. Happy Birthday, Ash! LUV U!

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