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.
Entries in Fashionlinkvi Fashion Weekend (2)
fvifw
more arise
Hi folks
CLICK HERE: http://youtu.be/7fKVy6x5NmI - Looks like the interview from when I filled in as co-host on Arise Entertainment 360 with Kofi Siriboe re-aired this week! HEY! FUN! 
Kofi Siriboe is the COOLEST! HOT too! As always, folks, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! To see some more of my ARISE work, check out THE LIFE OF RILEY: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/5/27/bow.html As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #ARISE360
fvifw
MEANWHILE....
So, it started here at the after party for Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple. The New York Public Library. December 1, 2005.
I'd just covered the red carpet for the premiere and Anthony Harper and Bri Cole did similar for STARZ! It was the night Ant and I met. He and Bri are childhood friends who call each other "brother" and "sister". So, with no rings yet on Ant's or my finger, we'll call her "sister in common law".
Fast-forward almost nine years, Ant and I are still together. And publicist/entertainment diva Bri Cole invites me down to an event she's hosting in St. Croix from where Virgin Islands recording artist Delyno “Pressure Busspipe” Brown hails. 
His hit song “Virgin Islands Nice” is steaming up the charts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54aP. It was that kind of party – hosted at The Palms at Pelican Cove - a fun time that can be described as nothing short of spectacular! And what a FAB gathering of GOOD ENERGY!!
And the SHOUT OUTS BEGIN for what was the BEST time at Fashion Link V.I. FASHION WEEKEND –
MORE THAN A CURVY PLUS FASHION SHOW INDEED!
Anastasia Rivers – Producer and Executive Director of FVIFW and her amazing team -
including: M’WATHIA HECTOR (Asst Director); OLIVER D. CONNOR SR (Website Developer & Booklet Editor); and CLIFFORD SMITH (Graphic Designer).
So good to meet fellow blogger Lady Influence. 
ALSO: CURVY FASHIONISTA Marie Denee…
…and what a GENEROUS round-robin of photographers – from Cliff Franklin to Jovan Augustin (Winner of Fashionlinkvi Competition and the coolest host we could have for after-hours, even though I dozed a lot in the midnight hour! LOL!) to Chalaine Barry – some of whom have pix sprinkled throughout this entry. THANKS ALL!
“Pose: The Plus Lifestyle Magazine” editor Tiffany Jones Keaton.
And we can't forget to shout out her amazingly talented and spirited husband ELIAH who sang his face off! An amazing talent!
THE FAB DESIGNERS – 
incuding Charon Richardson; Ranoi Parris, and Rheba Turnbull.
ALL THE AMAZING MODELS –
including Candice Kelly, Andrea Jackson, Audrey Malone, Cara Scott, Leshia Mussington, Carisma Rojas, Lisa Lucien,
Sasha Carr, Kim Jones, Janine Greenaway, Lavern March, Silva Gibbs, and – double dipping as an amazing performer – Giselle Grayson.
THE GLAM SQUAD OF LIFE – led by my friend Ed Gillespie, Celebrity Hairstylist and Celebrity Makeup Artist Patricia Cameron.
SUPERSTAR ACTOR and Reggae artist LEON was a showstopper this weekend!
And even when not performing, was generous and kind with his time. LEON was a wonderful presence this week. 
Shout out to his team – including Bri and Victor.
Was also fun to tour the BEAUTIFUL island – including the CRUZAN RUM distillery! 
To my ATLANTANS, THINK “WORLD OF COCA COLA”! BUT RUM!!!!! LOL!
At the closing Beach Party swimwear/t-shirt event, I got my SOCA on with “Jadine” The Soca Diva.
And I must shout out special guest and fast-friend Mikael Padilla who has two salons - one in Denver; the other in L.A.
And he's put his famous touches on the tresses of some fabulous divas including Beyonce and Fergie (with whom he toured to get her hair just right).
We had a lot of fun on the tour and hanging out at the resort. Plus, Bri Cole stepped back into her “model” shoes (She’s one of those too) and shut the show down in a stunning white one-piece plus HAT! YOU GO GIRL!
Now, what could make this weekend better? If Ant had been able to come. 
But having the chance to do all of this with MY Audrey Irvine, who also hails from St. Croix, was a special treat.
Rewind 25 years, Audrey was a Mass Communications major at Clark Atlanta University as I benefited appreciatively from the department's resources as a neighboring Morehouse Man. 
From the first internship we did together at WSB in ATL; the many jobs since that cover a lot of ground - domestic and international; through love found, lost, and the laughter and tears in between, we have maintained a steady and solid BFF-ship that is standing the test of time
(By the way, our first boss/the iconic Monica Kaufman tweeted Audrey "Tell Patrick Hi!" - a sign that even after she's vacated her legendary anchor seat at WSB that we are - as she's said over the years - "forever her interns"! LOL!).
Audrey's and my bond has been further nourished as Audrey credits me her oldest friend who now goes down as the first friend to go home with her. Though there for the event, the local press considered it big news that its island girl was back home. 
Audrey has gone on to great industry heights - now in a senior role at media giant CNN. Great times, my Audrey! One more for the books! – www.fashionlinkvi.com - #FVIFW 
mighty
THREE MORE TUESDAYS IN JUNE before we take a summer break with the vision we’ll return in some way FALL 2014!
I could have used a break after my nick-of-time schlep back from St. Croix, but “Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley” lifted my energy right on up! In fact, it made me FEEL MIGHTY REAL! LOL! 
ALL STAR KARAOKE is GRATEFUL for attracting GREATNESS at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul: 
our FABULOUS ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULS - like celebrity hairstylist Carla Bone; 
legal TV analyst Lisa Bonner, Esq; Joseph Riley Land from Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry (ASK sponsor); WNBC anchor Shiba Russell (return visit); magazine editor diva and friend Angela Bronner Helm - among those in the house to toast and serenade our beloved All Star Karaoke producer Derrick Hemphill.
But it doesn't stop there: My friend Carol Maillard brought a fun group - including Louise Robinson. These iconic women are members of the legendary a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock.
Carol Lynn Maillard rocked it with me on "Yah Mo Be There" by Michael McDonald and James Ingram. Both singers joined me on Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday" for Derrick's Make My Cake moment (red velvet! Yum!): https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152256973388737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater. 
And from Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical - a staged production I've praised a time or few in "Life of Riley", I got the privilege of sharing the stage with surprise guest, Broadway's Anthony Wayne (as in Pippin the Musical). 
He - with his partner Kendrell Bowman and Sheryl Lee Ralph - is preparing a September-October run of this amazing show in which Anthony Wayne IS disco divo Sylvester! He performed "AIN'T NO WAY" - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152256929153737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater - and joined me on Miss Ross' "UPSIDE DOWN" - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152256951438737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater - before we closed with "YOU MAKE ME FEEL MIGHTY REAL" - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152256942133737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater. 
Was MAGICAL! And what a TREAT for us ALL! For tickets to the show and for more information on this awe-inspiring couple - creative and life partners, please go to http://www.fabuloussylvester.com/. I chatted him up about it here - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152256906708737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater 
NEXT WEEK, one of ALL STAR KARAOKE's favorites Penwah will be in the house to celebrate her birthday!
Please be sure to come and sing to and with her! We LOVE Penwah!!! Hear us on OUR LOVE a couple of weeks ago:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152135753883737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater
As always, folks, THANKS for your support. Please keep up with LIFE OF RILEY via http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/.
#WhereAreTheyNow
As you know, OPRAH has been a longstanding freelance client for me since 1998. 
My first "OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?" assignment for the upcoming season was GERALDO RIVERA (It will air July 6th);
however, I've been doing dozens of these interviews/shoots for OWN. The NEW SEASON of "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" PREMIERES THIS Sunday, June 8th on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. 
That first episode will feature Love Boat reunion, Charo and Dave Coulier.
Plus, several of my assignments will air as the season progresses -
from The Nanny, Fran Drescher to Mel B to ex-Real Housewives of New Jersey cast-member Danielle Angelina Staub: http://youtu.be/-4ZHqpYxtzw. 
In prior seasons, I've interviewed Mayor Giuliani to Mindy Cohn to 
Ralph Macchio to Emme to Susan Lucci to Andre Leon Talley 
to Snooki to Pat Benatar to
Kenny Loggins 
to Peter Scolari
to Ivana Trump 
to the "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" 5; etc. 
http://www.oprah.com/own-where-are-they-now/First-Look-Rick-Springfield-Jill-Zarin--The-Village-People-Video 
As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #WhereAreTheyNow
luther
Many don’t know. I was assigned to work with “The Oprah Winfrey Show” team that produced Luther Vandross in a New-Jersey-based, assisted-living facility after he’d had his stroke. 
As one of his biggest fans, it’s a moment I won’t ever forget: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/2/25/we-are-luther-please-reply-by-march-12.html. 
Well, someone who too won’t forget LUTHER: Kevin Owens aka Kevin Ray Owens – a member of Ray, Goodman, and Brown. But perhaps more popularly as Luther Vandross’ male background singer of note for 25 years. 
He was with Luther on the rise and at the top. And he’s written the book that got me through my plane rides and beach time on this recent trip to St. Croix: “So Amazing: Through The Eyes of Kevin Owens”: www.soamazingthebook.com. 
Including the reference to the aforementioned “OPRAH” shoot, Kevin takes the reader on an amazing journey of what life was like on the road and on the stage with the legendary Luther Vandross. Most of you know that celebrity bio is my favorite book genre. This one does not disappoint.
pervis taylor
You folks know my blog is all about “pop culture” and “possibilities”. And in addition to “celebrity bio”, I love “self-help/affirming” tomes. With that, I want to shout out author Pervis Taylor who sent me a couple of feel-good, uplifting gems that I want to share with you:
“Pervis Principles: Volume 1” and “Pervis Principles: Volume 2” – both daily meditation mini-books that inspire readers to live a better quality of life. For more information, click here: www.PervisTaylor.com. SOLID YOUNG MAN! Keep representing, PERVIS!
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in FVIFW, Fashionlinkvi Fashion Weekend, Leon, Oprah, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Pressure, US Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands, WhereAreTheyNow
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Fashionlinkvi Fashion Weekend in St Croix
PHOTO BY: AKHENATEN
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM Fashionlinkvi Fashion Weekend on LIFE OF RILEY:
"One of the countries hottest TV personalities and producers, Patrick L. Riley, is coming to St. Croix for Fashionlinkvi Fashion Weekend in St. Croix May 30-June 2nd!!! Patrick Riley will be covering the event for his blog and other media outlets. Excited to have you Patrick!"
LIFE OF RILEY is EXCITED to be a part!!! #fashionlinkvi
COME ONE, COME ALL! Log on to www.fashionlinkvi.com for details!
BUT HERE'S SOME OF WHAT WILL GO DOWN:
* The objective of FVIFW is to showcase local fashion related talent and attract fashion affiliated businesses to America's Paradise.
* Promoting pride in our Caribbean heritage by showcasing the diversity and similarity in our culture through the art of fashion. Participants from U.S. mainland and other countries are welcome.
* Fashionlinkvi Fashion Weekend is not just a regular annual fashion event, FVIFW is a weekend getaway filled with entertainment for everyone. Vendors will have an opportunity to sell products or provide service at some of the events.* Our extraordinary Weekend begins with a press reception on Friday May 30, 2014 (invitation only) followed by a preview party; featuring local entertainers, host by a local celebrity.
* Saturday May 31, 2014 We want you to look and feel beautiful inside and out beginning the morning with Yoga and Zumba by the sea, join us at our host hotel “The Palms at Pelican Cove” and relax to the sound of the sea with a Yoga class or rejuvenate your body with a Zumba class. Brunch will be served before our scheduled health is wealth seminar, followed by a hair and skin care seminar, facilitated by celebrity guest from Denver, California and New York.
* Following the seminar enjoy a cultural experience with local performers or take Scenic Island tour of St. Croix in a safari or jeep.
* Get ready for the main event later the evening with the best plus size fashion show in the Caribbean featuring, stateside and local plus models and actor/recording artist Leon Robinson, model Griselle Grayson and recording artist Eliah; Chenese Lewis, the first Miss Plus U.S.A. will host the main event.”
* Last but not least, the swim wear and T- shirt fashion show is scheduled for June 1, 2014, featuring models of all sizes, followed by the after party on the beach host by “Leon “ featuring the Soca Diva “Jadine “from Montserrat by way of New York.
* Closing FVIFW until next year with a VIP cocktail party (Invitation only)
* Purchase your tickets online at www.fashionlinkvi.com
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in Fashionlinkvi Fashion Weekend, Leon, Leon Robinson, Life of Riley, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, full figured
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