A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

“FATHER, HELP YOUR CHILDREN AND DON'T LET THEM FALL BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD...”

 

I wrote about the song “Jesus is Love” a couple of years ago (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/7/20/roots-the-next-generations-and-the-melody-lingers-on.html) and its presence in my life on the day my mother died. Now, it’s been remade by Heather Headley and Smokie Norful (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6SGBqMmyHM). I like the remake. As it was piping from a car radio recently, I was riding in the backseat of a car – cruising along 125^th Street. When I became aware and awakened to this now-positively post-traumatic moment, I looked up to find that we were getting ready to pass a building that inhabits my family’s denomination The United House of Prayer for All People. Something in that moment made me do something I hadn’t done with that song the times I’ve heard it since July 20, 1994: I smiled. Still, a tear dropped.

 

"... AND TEACH THEM TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER..."

 

I do feel as if I continue to be “helped” by forces bigger than me and far off into the distance yet right next to me:

• Ant and I are preparing to go to Detroit this weekend for Ms. Aretha Franklin’s birthday party. There’s much more to the story that I will have to share later. But TRUST! It’s a BLESSING... and a TOTAL HONOR! Plus, we’ll get the chance to see our Greg Dunmore who just recently did a feature on jazz great Harvey Thompson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNHUZ5k05WM) via his Jazz Jewels TV, which proves jazz is truly an international language. Harvey salutes one of Japan's hottest jazz clubs, the Sone Jazz Club located in Kobe.
• As certain clients have been able to outsource my services more of late, I’m happy to say I’ve attracted a special project my way that – for 10 weeks – will have me in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Though not optimum to be away from Ant and our home for that window of time, the wages are welcome and much needed for us to catch up with our arrears. And when I can tell you more, I will. But, TRUST that it is a GOOD, CREATIVE FIT that you will all be able to see sometime later this year! STAY TUNED!
• In the words of Rupaul: “BB, life isn’t always fair... I have two words :Extravaganza! Eleganza!” Not sure what that meant. But let me tell you - it made me laugh each and every time I played TIVO back to repeat it: www.logoonline.com/shows/dyn/rupauls_drag_race/videos.jhtml This, before each of the bottom two lipsync'd for their life via Mary Mary's "Shackles". 

"... HEAVEN  MIGHT FIND A PLACE IN THEIR HEART..."

 

Meanwhile, BLESSINGS ABOUND all around for many! Let me catch you up!

 

Firstly:

• A shout out to our South African girlfriend Melony who invited “my Amazing Grace” Nichole, Ant, and me to her NYC home for a lovely meal. Got to see Johnna and several others from her circles. Always a good time!
• Though we didn’t get to see our Jason, we got some great hang time with Marqice in he and Jason’s Queens’ home.
• We got quality time with Charlie T; Danielle; Karu; and Kevin-Anthony at THE GOOD NEGRO at the Public Theater (www.publictheater.org). Kevin-Anthony will be celebrating his birthday with a performance on Monday, April 6th, 2009 @ The Triad in NYC (www.triadnyc.com). He will be recording a live CD that evening. So bring your energy and love in the house that evening as this is Kevin-Anthony’s 1st CD. For tickets:http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=KEV5 or call 212.868.4444 and check out his new blog site:http://b2productions.wordpress.com/2009/02/22/kevin-anthony-birthday-show/

"...WE'VE GOT TO WALK ON, WALK ON THROUGH TEMPTATION..."

 

Kevin-Anthony was also featured on “HARLEM HEIGHTS” this week on BET (www.bet.com/OnTV/BETShows/harlemheights). His recent BLACK 2: Broadway event last November was featured on the show. Without blinking, you can see Ant, Ern, Kimberly Jajuan, and me in the background at the VIP reception that preceded the awesome showcase on the Schomberg stage. Keep tuning into “Harlem Heights” as you’re bound to see us again (We’ve been hanging with this crew a bit – socially). But also, my good girlfriend/acting coach Tracey Moore-Marable will be sharing her “The Spirited Actor” philosophy on the show (www.thespiritedactor.com/).

 

"... HIS LOVE AND WISDOM WILL BE OUR HELPING HAND..."

 

It’s still not too late to join Ant and me at “Inked Baby”. It’s Sunday, March 29^th and IF YOU'RE STILL GAME, DON'T FORGET TO SEND YOUR CHECKS TO THE ADDRESS BELOW ASAP - TO ENSURE THE GROUP RATE OF $30 **** (SEE DETAILS BELOW. That's a $20 discount... and LACHANZE says she will join us for an after-show cocktail!!! By the way, check out the link to her new CD, an EP of awesome songs from her repertoire. Entitled "Love LaChanze," the CD can be purchased by visiting iTunes (www.iTunes.com) or Amazon (www.Amazon.com).

Here’s how it works:

1. Commit to attend the Sunday, March 29th /7:30 pm “INKED BABY” starring Tony-award-winning LACHANZE at Playwrights Horizons (416 West 42nd Street close to 9th Avenue)

 

2. By Tuesday, March 24th: Send a $30 check (per person) payable to:

WALK TALL GIRL PRODUCTIONS

1375 BROADWAY

3RD FLOOR

NEW YORK, NY 10018

Phone: 646-467-7393 or 917-334-6492

MEMO: 3/29 INKED BABY w/PAT & ANT

*** THAT'S A $20 DISCOUNT VIA THIS GROUP RATE!!!!! ***

 

3. After you do that, PLEASE let me know that you will be joining us via patarack_riley@yahoo.com

 

4. On Sunday, March 29th, let’s meet at 6:30 pm – so I can personally ensure your tickets get to you. Showtime is 7:30 pm. It’s about 90 minutes – so will wrap about 9:00 pm.

 

And my friend LACHANZE has agreed to join us across the street for a quick cocktail at:

 

THE WEST BANK CAFÉ

407 W. 42nd Street

New York, NY 10036

Phone: 212-695-6909

 

"... LIFT UP OUR HEARTS TO BE THANKFUL AND GLAD..."

 

Since I wrote about Ms. Melinda Doolittle last month (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/2/2/we-will-find-a-way.html), her fans have become readers of my blog. One fan, Louise, asks me to hip you folks to one of Melinda’s fansites: www.melindasbackups.com

 

"...I WANNA FOLLOW YOUR STAR WHEREVER IT LEADS..."

 

My friend Shaun Robinson may want to reach out to Melinda as an example of a great role model. This could be for the follow up to her debut tome for young girls, “Exactly As I Am” (www.randomhouse.com). Celebrated women share candid advice with today's girls on what it takes to believe in yourself. I’ve worked alongside Shaun via our National Association of Black Journalists’ annual convention programming (www.nabj.org) and I couldn’t be more proud of her. She’s heading to NYC soon and I’ll get to buy the book and congratulate her in person.

 

 

My dear industry friends Kirsten Poe Hill & Renée E. Warren (pictured on right) are now published authors. We all have CNBC in our roots. They left just before I started there in the mid-90s to start their business. When I left CNBC a few years later, their media consulting firm became a safe place for me as a freelancer (who wrote, pitched, and promoted on their company Noelle-Elaine’s behalf – www.noelle-elaine.com) but I also had the chance to hire them for their services via volunteer work I did with one of their major clients The New York Association of Black Journalists (www.nyabj.org). Fast forward 15 years and you’ve got “You Buy the Peanut Butter, I’ll Get the Bread: The Absolutely True Adventures of Best Friends in Business”. It hits book shelves on March 31^st.

To purchase the book, visit one of the book stores below:

http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=0452290147

http://www.amazon.com/You-Buy-Peanut-Butter-Bread/dp/0452290147/

http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?isbn=9780452290143

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780452290143

http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780452290143?id=4205521630491

http://www.www.indiebound.org http://www.www.indiebound.org/

Catch them at one of the following book signings:

Baltimore, MD March 31, 2009

Chevy Chase, MD April 1, 2009

Washington, DC April 3, 2009

Harlem, NY April 15, 2009

New York City, NY April 16, 2009

More locations to come ...

For more information, visit: www.peanutbutterbreadbook.com

 

"...I WANNA WALK WITH YOU AND TALK WITH YOU AND DO ALL THE THINGS YOU WANT ME TO DO..."

 

CONGRATS to Sheila E who took home the “Gone Country” prize this season (www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/gone-country/series.jhtml) with grace, a competitive edge, loads of talent, and spirituality.  And already the rollercoaster of “American Idol” (www.americanidol.com/) is throwing viewers – like me – for a loop with its new judge, new rules, new surprises. After seeing the Top 13’s take on a “Jackson 5” medley, Ant reminded me that A.I. was showing up where “Kids Incorporated” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3i00ieI3UI) meets “Star Search” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZyjSuOrRBw). And like “Gone Country” (under the category of WHO KNEW I’D BE TUNING INTO CMT?), I hear there’s another show that I haven’t seen that I should be watching: “Kitchen Nightmares” with Gordon Ramsay (www.fox.com/kitchennightmares/). Anybody seen it? Worth my time or squeezing the already-exhausted memory of my antiquated TIVO?

 

"... WHO CAN BRING YOU LOVE?..."

 

My good girlfriend Juanita Stephens (who you recall had a lovely dinner recently where she brought journalists together with another of her clients Kindred) is working with her sister publicist Karen Lee on Charlie Wilson’s new project ‘Uncle Charlie’ (Jive Records) which debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Hot 200 a few weeks back. It’s been a long time since ‘The Gap Band’ but Charlie is still kicking. He was also recently diagnosed with PROSTATE CANCER last July... and is living not only to see himself back at the top of the charts but to also testify about his journey from that grim diagnosis through a journey of medical options to where he stands now as a healthy advocate to shed light and awareness on this disease which impacts 1 in 3 African American men. He is now

informing as well as performing" by becoming a spokesperson for the Prostate Cancer Foundation (www.prostatecancerfoundation.org) to help raise awareness and funds for future research. On June 12th, Charlie will be a part of a panel, where he will share his knowledge and information about this disease, at the National Conference for 100 Black Men in New York City.

 

"... WHO CAN BRING YOU JOY? ... "

 

These are the kind of updates we rely on JET and EBONY to give us. Many are buzzing about the layoffs at many media shops but the ones at JET and EBONY could impact those fellow journalists I know who’ve been working for Johnson Publishing a long time, but I am also wondering where we’ll get “our” info without these magazines running at full capacity. For a walk down memory lane (to know what we could lose): http://books.google.com/books?id=Db4DAAAAMBAJ&hl=En&source=gbs_all_issue

 

"...WHO CAN TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND? ..."

 

Some friends and friends of friends who are doing great things – proof in the links or websites below:

* My Morehouse brother Chris McDonald’s cousin owns this little boutique that WILL:

www.GEORGIANY.COM

* My alma mater Morehouse College’s Glee Club of which I was a member during my four years there (much chronicled here) just performed at Abyssinian Baptist Chuch this past weekend. I couldn’t make it but wanted to shout them out as they continue their Spring Tour (www.mcgclub.com/).

* One of my college mates and true leader to many of us in the glee club and the arts overall Maurice Mcrae just launched his new website. He's an actor, director, and overall creative spirit who I've admired mostly for his kindness. Check him out: www.mauricemcrae.com

* My “Original Amazing Grace” Natalie’s brother-in-law Tavares just launched his new website. He is a poet/actor/teacher/motivational speaker... and all-around Renaissance Man: www.tavaresstephens.com

* Ant’s friend and supervisor on “The Wendy Williams Show” Lorraine Haughton has been working on other projects as they wait to go back in for the re-launch this summer. She has been working on "Bought & Sold" which airs on HGTV. It's a reality show about real estate agents in New Jersey (www.hgtv.com/bought-sold/show/index.html).

* My girl, CHEMENE PELZER, is a producer at “NBC Today”. Check out her recently posted blog and video related to a recent trip she took to West Africa:

http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/03/10/1829119.aspx

* My dear friend Camille introduced me to a lovely lady out of ATL named Ivy Simmons. She is on the steering committee for Earth Hour 09 (www.earthhour.org/). Earth Hour began in Sydney in 07 with 2.2 million participants and thousands of buildings all turning their lights out for one hour to show they care about global warming. Last year such iconic buildings went dark for the hour as the Coliseum in Rome, Golden Gate Bridge, Coca Cola's Times Square billboard, the Bank of America Building in Atlanta and more. This year, they are looking for the Vegas strip to go dark. Earth Hour takes place March 28 from 8:30-9:30pm this year.

* Chef Love Jones who recently catered a fashion week event I attended last month has finally launched his website. It will keep you updated with his day-to-day happenings. www.iambilljones.com

* My friend Reginald Barnes is an actor/publicist/promoter/talent extraordinaire and never ceases to amaze (www.myspace.com/reggieonthemove). His next round of projects will include a turn in popular ‘Down Low’ author JL King’s new off-Broadway play titled “RAW”. It opens May 1^st and features six men (and... full frontal nudity). It’s a controversial adult show running at 10pm on weekends in May. Stay tuned for more as I get it. Congrats Reginald!

 

"... WHO CAN HELP YOU HOLD OUT A LITTLE WHILE LONGER?..."

 

Y’all remember a Black version of “Cinderella” from the ‘70s before Brandy went there? IMDB tells me I’m not crazy for this childhood memory. This version of the Cinderella tale with an all-black cast has Cinderella, who wants to marry a dashing army officer, finding out out that her father, who she thought had an important job at a big hotel, is actually the men's room attendant. Her wicked stepmother finds out, too, and complications ensue. Charlayne Woodard starred as “Cindy” and Cleavant Derricks, Clifton Davis, and Nell Carter also starred.