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 HALLE BERRY (1)

“… I RECALL THE SCENES THAT NEVER DIE…”

THE PICTURES TELL MUCH OF THE STORY:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=247802&id=662073736&l=271010aa46

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=249829&id=662073736&l=af9299985b

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=244110&id=662073736&l=1ad36abf6f

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=242502&id=662073736&l=51db5e7c6b

HALLE BERRY

Last year, I was trying to shake off the effects of having been one of the producers on “Frankie & Neffe”. This year, with friend Theo’s nudging, Halle Berry invited me to join her at a special screening of her upcoming feature film “Frankie & Alice” in which the Academy-award winner seems to be going for her sophomore prize. Coincidentally, she plays Savannah, Georgia native Frankie Murdoch who suffered with multiple personality disorder in early ‘70s Los Angeles. Her mom is “For Colored Girls”-own Phylicia Rashad and her sister is “Grey’s Anatomy”s Chandra Wilson… but Halle plays ALL the colored girls and then some in this psychological drama. I was able to bring my nephew Herman – a Savannah native – along with me and in addition to my dear friends Karu, Marcia, and Yvette, Ant, Herman (Noot I call him), and I got to enjoy the company of Ms. Halle (who was ever-gracious and present to when I first interviewed her in ’95); the legendary Ruby Dee; Ruben Santiago Hudson (“Lackawanna Blues”); supermodel Roshumba; celeb hairstylist Niko; and a cool, intimate crowd that celebrated the film at Rouge Tomate for wine and hors d’oeuvres – including THE MAXWELL who couldn’t have been nicer, though that 2nd flash on the camera got him every time. LOL! FUN NIGHT! My girl Anika Noni Rose was there too. Someone said I should have invited MAXWELL out to ALL-STAR KARAOKE THURSDAY NIGHT to sing "This Woman's Work" with me (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2...47802&id=662073736&l=271010aa46).

EL DEBARGE

In the wake of the 40TH BDAY FESTIVITIES (more details below), I was met with a busy week of CELEBRATING EL DEBARGE’s SECOND CHANCE. I first got to see my buddy El Debarge perform at “The Wendy Williams Show” w/my friends Ern & Sidra in tow. EXCELLENT PERFORMANCEs(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO1BCYScCXE). For this performance, El sang for Wendy’s dance contest – won by this spry couple. This, the morning after Team El took me out for BDAY drinks. Shout out to MY SHELLY & MY PAM! Then, Sid and I enjoyed an early dinner at Brazil Brazil Restaurant on Restaurant Row – a stone’s throw from my old performance stage “Don’t Tell Mama”. Supermodel Kara Young and celebrity stylist Dickey, the co-founders of the innovative hair care brand and NY-based salon called Hair Rules, hosted a party to celebrate the launch of their first billboard in Times Square. The private event at Vivid Lounge (The Renaissance Hotel) included guests supermodel/writer Veronica Webb; Russell Simmons; Former Miss Tanzania and Model Millen Magese; stylist/TV personality Philip Bloch; Annabella Sciorro (of “Jungle Fever” fame) and a host of others. Wanted to go to Beyonce’s celebration of her line of jewelry from Lorraine Schwartz, but scheduling didn’t allow. My nephew, however, snagged this red-carpet ready shot and more.

Then, El and his folks invited me to a couple of sets centered around CELEBRATING his SECOND CHANCE – the highly-anticipated CD that is out this week. One event was at SLATE. He and his management team – including my Pete and Pam – were in the house along with the executives at Interscope. His special guest was TLC’s Chilli, who I knew at the start and peak of her TLC career. We have friends in common who attended Georgia Southern University and Morehouse College at the time we attended both of them. Then, once I got my B.A. and she got her T.L.C., I got the chance to interview her via my 2^nd career gig at FOX 5s “Good Day Atlanta”. She was so warm and nostalgic for all those things we have in common. Lovely to talk to her! This, while El grabbed the venue’s mic and sang along not only to his new tracks, which are OFF-THE-CHAIN GREAT, but he danced down memory lane – singing along to tracks like “Rhythm of the Night” and “Who’s Johnny?” as well as the legendary ballads and mid-tempos. Afterwards, we joined our buddy Carl at NATIVE owner Brian’s other spot NO PARKING which does a fabulous KARAOKE MONDAY night with host TREVOR and shared regulars – including Darius Booker! I sang a few tunes as well.

The Highline Ballroom hosted El Debarge’s release party last night! It was a full-fledged concert!!! Doug E. Fresh even joined in for an inspired and nostalgic, free-style moment! EL IS BACK, Y’ALL! Go pick up his CD now! IT’S GREAT! And his VOICE is still pristine. www.facebook.com/ElDeBarge

FELA! & TERRY MCMILLAN

This Saturday, you can catch a performance of FELA!, the hit Broadway musical now playing its final weeks (must close Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011); participate in a post show discussion with best-selling author Terry McMillan and me; and get a signed copy of her new book GETTING TO HAPPY. It is the sequel to WAITING TO EXHALE. This special promotion is available this Saturday, December 4 @ 2pm only! Details are below.

FELA! on Broadway, Hue Man Bookstore and the Arts and Entertainment Task Force of the National Association of Black Journalists

Present

TELLING OUR STORIES:A Performance, Conversation and Book Signing with Best-selling Author TERRY McMILLAN

moderated by PATRICK L. RILEY

Saturday, December 4, 2010 @ 2:00 pm

Eugene O'Neill Theatre

230 West 49th Street

between 8th Avenue and Broadway

(Via Subway: C to 50th Street; N, R, Q to 49th Street; 1 to 50th Street)

My conversation with Ms. McMillan will be about the role of art as change agent; the importance of telling our stories and how they are told and who tells them.

HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS:

See FELA! and get a copy of GETTING TO HAPPY for one low price!

$85 (orch/front mezz seats) when you use code FEHAP1111

TO PURCHASE TICKETS:

Online:

Visit www.broadwayoffers.com and enter code FEHAP111

Phone:

Call Telecharge at 212.947.8844 and mention code FEHAP1111

In Person:

Take a print out of this offer to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Box Office

*No E-tickets will be available with this code. Vouchers for the book will be mailed or can be picked up at the box office. Valid Now Through 12.4 only for the 12/4 matinee performance. No refunds or exchanges. All sales final. Cannot be used in combination with any other offer. Offer based on availability and can be withdrawn at anytime. Check Telecharge.com for Ms. LaBelle's performance dates.

AND SPEAKING OF OTHER OFFERS TO GO TO FELA! BEFORE IT CLOSES, READ ON:

MEANWHILE, here is a DISCOUNT CODE to see: FELA: FENAS1110

$87 Saturday Evenings

$77 All other performances

Three easy ways to purchase tickets when you use code FENAS1110

Online: Visit www.broadwayoffers.com and enter code FENAS1110

By Phone: Call 212.947.8844 and mention code FENAS1110

In Person: Take a print out of this offer to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Box Office, 230 West 49th Street between 8th Avenue and Broadway.

The price includes a $2 service charge and part of the proceeds will go to the National Association of Black Journalists.

FELA! will play its final performance on Broadway January 2, 2011.

The offer is based on availability and cannot be used in combination with other offers. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.

Visit Telecharge.com for Ms. LaBelle's performance schedule.

Valid now through 1/2/11 for performances through 1/2/11. Blackout dates: 11/26, 11/28 and 1/2/11.

Limit 8 tickets per order/person/week.

www.felaonbroadway.com

JO THOMPSON

I’m always talking or blogging about my dear friend and Co-Chair for the NABJ Arts & Entertainment Task Force Greg Dunmore. Well, he was in town recently with good news that brings him back to town. His mom, jazzy cabaret pianist and singer, Ms. Jo Thompson – who Greg manages – is bringing her show to NYC. Musical Director Walt Szymanski will lead 8 of New York's hottest jazz musicians alongside Miss Jo and they all will be appearing in New York City this Saturday December 4th at the City Museum of New York which in on Fifth Ave. between East 103rd and 104th Streets. Showtime: 2:00PM in the afternoon. (I know, it’s the same time as my event… but these are the options that “… the life of Riley…” provides).

Jo Thompson’s show: Thank You Lena!!! is a complement to the museum’s current exhibition: Notorious & Notable (which is a salute to some of New York City’s most legendary ladies in which Lena Horne is one of the fabulous females being spotlighted!)

The show is free with admissions into the museum. Therefore, it is a wonderful yet inexpensive way to support the museum and spend a delightful Saturday in Manhattan!!!

Check out the following link:

http://www.womanaroundtown.com/sections/playing-around/jo-thompson-still-swinging

Please spread the word to anybody you know in New York City about Jo Thompson (with musical director Walt Szymanski leading 8 of New York's hottest jazz musicians) in “Thank You Lena!!!” (a musical salute to the late great Lena Horne conceived by Greg Dunmore) at the Museum of the City of New York ( 1220 Fifth Ave between East 103rd & 104th Streets. Phone: 212- 534-1672) Saturday, December 4, 2010 Showtime: 2:00PM. The show is free with Museum admission.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

With my best girlfriend Nichole being a New Rochelle resident, I spend lots of time there with Nichole and her friends. Good girlfriend Michelle Sanchez-Boyce invited me to host “An Evening to Benefit The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle” at Top of The Roc II at Avalon on the Sound East. It was a GREAT NIGHT with many of my fabulous New Ro friends in the house. The food was delicious… and the wine was flowing. But most importantly, I got to turn our silent auction items into LIVE auction items, which brought the room to life and allowed me to do my part in raising a lot of money for the kids… and that’s just what we did! THANKS MICHELLE… for booking me. GREAT to see ALL OF YOU! www.bgnr.org WAS REALLY FUN… and all for a good cause!

MISS ROSS IN VEGAS

Miss Ross exclaims "IT'S MY HOUSE!" by throwing an AWESOME show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas - her first time performing at the entertainment mecca she helped build with her record-breaking shows in the '70s and the '80s. I should have better prepared and had this be my 40TH KICKOFF… but the RAVE REVIEWS Miss Ross got for her two sold-out shows was gift enough!

BIRTHDAY COUNT-DOWN

MEANWHILE, it’s always a CELEBRATION in “… the life of Riley…” We continue to have great ALL-STAR KARAOKE THURSDAY NIGHTs at NATIVE RESTAURANT from 9pm – 12 MIDNIGHT (LENOX AVENUE & 118^TH Street). One week , my favorite boutique N held a “For Colored Girls”-inspired pre-karaoke set. That same night, fellow Scorpio girlfriend Sonjiya came from Miami (with her friend Troy) to celebrate her birthday. Many other friends were in the house: Eric, Robert, Sidra, Bariek, Nichole, Brian, Jasmine, Turquoise, Charlie Brown, Dard, Craig, Trevor, Charlie T, Danielle, April, Nathan, Keith, Harlem’s Anthony, and a host of others. GREAT SINGING! GREAT SONGS!

EVE OF 40^TH BDAY

The next week was the big EVE OF THE 40^TH BDAY CELEBRATION!!!! The place was even more packed than usual! SO MUCH LOVE IN THE ROOM, I had to THANK EVERYONE… in song: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=473226388736&saved. BIG THANKS to all who came out to celebrate my LAST DAY OF BEING 39 last night for ALL-STAR KARAOKE THURS...DAY NIGHT at NATIVE! It was a PACKED HOUSE - FILLED WITH LOVE! We had to stretch the night beyond MIDNIGHT's wrap to almost 2 A--M. TONIGHT, many of my NYC family & friends will take me out to CELEBRATE further! It's a 40TH BDAY EXTRAVAGANZA after all (LOL!) - poised to go through 2011 (pending when I can step foot off of these domestic shores for a vacation abroad. SOMEWHERE!).

THE BIRTHDAY

On my actual birthday, a small group of friends gathered at the Harlem home of my friends Mara Schiavocampo and Tommie Porter. It was a well-appointed and whimsical BDAY cocktail hour w/party hats & favors to boot; DIANA ROSS piping from the speakers; great spread – including my favorite pasta by Sidra who came by as did my Amazing Grace Nichole; Jamar; and MY Devon. They were my gifts. But there were also gifts – including the 25TH Anniversary DVD Collection of “The Cosby Show” – a staple when we often visit Mara & Tommie; Ant also provided them a pic of me that they framed (It’s of me cleaning MISS ROSS’ star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame from last year); etc.

Then, with some help from our friend Nikki, MY Ant pulled out all the stops at GRIFFIN. The FAB set - in the meatpacking district of Downtown Manhattan - had me feeling like a rock star... and partying like one too: champagne & Patron were flowing; we danced all night long; there was a lovely spread of appetizers. They were engineered by my friend Derek K. Corley’s company “Nadia’s SPICE KITCHEN” (www.NadiasSpiceKitchen.com); and a host of my family and friends came out to toast me. And everybody got in on the fun – including my nephew Herman. He came with an entourage of my little brothers and sisters. They are recent alums from my nephew’s and my alma mater Morehouse and its sister college Spelman. (By the way, ANT: THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU!) Here’s some video from the cake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIUd-Tgg4eM.

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

On the Sunday of the weekend, I managed to get up for a FAB SUNDAY BDAY BRUNCH that Ant took me to at Monalito, our new favorite brunch spot (as owned by Cristina, nanny to Miss Ross’ three girls in the ‘80s). My buddies Robert & Dawn joined us along with my nephew (and fellow Morehouse brother) Herman (Noot I call him). From (black bean) soup to an awesome omelette to some tiramisu (and don’t forget the sangrias & the mojitos), we all loved our meal. Afterwards, Ant & I joined our girlfriend Dawn at her Brooklyn pad for champagne and Cake Man Raven red velvet cake (and You Tube clips of Miss Ross. Also, MISS “PRETTY GIRL ROCK” herself: Keri Hilson - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtXOVKNazYU. Brunch at Monalito was so good, we did it again the following Sunday. This time, with friends Sidra, Murphy, Eric, Tracy, Cynthia, Greg, and Ant. From there, more hanging in Harlem where Cynthia shared with us her new profile in Black Enterprise - promoting her work as a fledgling fine artist. Go Cynthia, Go!

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT

My passion for KARAOKE produced an interesting turn of events. Ant led us to Pulse Karaoke where a phantom scout from “America’s Got Talent” was to be present in the house. After I sang a few numbers, the scout approached me and said she is referring me to the “America’s Got Talent” folks. So with my karaoke persona in tow, I got a call from one of the producers to see if I could come in for a scheduled appointment during their Javitz-Convention-Center based audition. I made it through the two rounds that the NYC stop offered and am now to wait for a call that may come in March to signal me to L.A. The scout came up to me after I sang "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (now a staple at karaoke for me) - so I performed that (with background instrumentation) and when asked to do an uptempo/current number, I did an a cappella "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga. For the final round - in front of producers and the "America's Got Talent" backdrop, they requested the same. STAY TUNED. Meanwhile, business as usual. I'll only know I made it to next round if they call. If I didn't, I'll keep on truckin' - like I do...

THANK YOU FOR THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE!

Of course, the BDAY EXTRAVAGANZA continued into THANKSGIVING. I did a lovely and long-overdue lunch at Houston’s with my TaTa. BDAY cocktails at UNO in Yonkers with my childhood BFF and Spelman sister Tish brought a smile to my face. We also did a cocktail at The Hudson Terrace. Then, Japas 55 for karaoke. Then, “The Rocket” at Quo Nightclub. FUN TIMES!

And THANKSGIVING was special! Our HAPPY THANKSGIVING was hosted by our buddies Charlie T and Danielle. We invited our friends Toby and Sidra (and Paul) to join us. And what a GREAT TIME it was as we ate some tasty food and watched "The Wiz"; Beyonce's ABC special; a "Supremes" collection of performances; and more.

P.S. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZGy_frzN74&playnext=1&list=PL544403C996D2CF71&index=34 HAPPY THANKSGIVING: "In the ones you love... in the ones who love you..." XO

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE! Let this time underscore how important it is to hold on to your family & friends as we support each other to reach our DREAMS! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSzBvYCH0Fc

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR WELL WISHES! Chalk it up to being 40, but I've been quite MOVED this season as I've read each and everyone of your posts... and received many wonderful gifts - including this special gift from my friends Carl Nelson and FAB designer Myriam Belasse (www.asapsewingservice.com) whose fabulous men's designs take up a lot of room in my closet... and her many talents have been seen even on "Real Housewives of Atlanta" and beyond. Carl secured this awesome piece for me. THANKS CARL & BELASSE!

ONE MORE MILESTONE

It was five years ago today that Ant & I met at the opening night of “The Color Purple” on Broadway. Here five years later… well, you know the rest… the melody lingers on! LUV YA, ANT!