A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

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.

SO MANY have been asking “When are you going to do another karaoke night in Harlem?” How THRILLED I am to finally have an answer.

Please join me TUESDAY, APRIL 1^st from 7p to 10p (and every Tuesday evening after that throughout the Spring 2014) for:

“Billie’s Black presents:

All Star Karaoke with Patrick Riley”

As the weather warms, so should your vocals! LOL! Come on out and showcase them. Or just enjoy the ride from the side or while dining on some mouth-watering cuisine. And you must quench accordingly on the drink specials. And you never know who might pop by, so make sure you come out with your entourage in tow.

ALL-STAR KARAOKE HISTORY: I hosted ALL-STAR KARAOKE for NATIVE Restaurant from August 2010 to 2012. NATIVE is now closed. Our guest singers - on any given night - at ALL-STAR KARAOKE THURSDAY NIGHT included: songstress Tichina Arnold; NAACP Image Award winning producer Sidra Smith; R&B divas Alyson Williams & Monifah; actress Napiera Groves; the artist formerly known as TONEX, B. Slade; Mariah Carey's long-standing background singer Melony Daniels - an artist her own right; Broadway baby Brenda Braxton; singer/author David Nathan; FELA!s Kevin Mambo; Paul Wharton ("Real Housewives of DC"); etc. Of course, the blog "A Day in the Life of Riley: pop culture & possibilities" has chronicled much of the ALL-STAR KARAOKE THURSDAY NIGHT:http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/karaoke.

The LIFE OF RILEY brand is EXCITED to partner with Billie’s Black to continue that exciting yet laid-back tradition of music, fellowship, and fun!

SOCIAL MEDIA: We’ll have an E-LIER for forwarding and sharing soon. MEANWHILE, please SHARE and connect with BILLIE’S BLACK via the following social media platforms. Let’s PLEASE get the word out and post our videos and pictures from this special Tuesday night in Spring 2014. In all sharing, please use hashtag #billiesASK

As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Warmest regards!

Patrick L. Riley

“A Day in the Life of Riley: pop culture & possibilities”

http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/patarack

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley

FOLLOW BILLIE’S BLACK:

WEBSITE:

http://www.billiesblack.com/

TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/billiesblack

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/billiesblack

FRANK ISHMAN

Remember I shared how my friend Myrdith Leon-McCormack booked me to get my “Mahogany” on recently. It was in front of the lens of my Morehouse brother, world-renowned photographer Frank Ishman (www.frankishman.com).  Here are some of the behind-the-scenes shots…and here’s the story from “…the life of Riley…” http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/1/10/staying-together.html. These pics and more will be seen sometime soon…in a gallery space/book/event near you! STAY TUNED! THANKS FRANK & MYRDITH!

NYU URBAN JOURNALISM WORKSHOP

From “Mahogany” to “Professor Ogilvie” (from “The Parkers”) – EVERYTHING IS A POP CULTURE REFERENCE! LOL!: I recently spoke to the students of the NYU Urban Journalism Workshop - @NYU_UrbanJourno  - on “The Art of the Interview”. I testified my own story of having interviewed a whole range of subjects over the years – as on-camera interviewer and behind-the-scenes interviewer (reporter/field producer). I coached the diverse roster of students via taped mock interviews; and I showed them examples of my own body of work. I ALWAYS LOVE it when I’m invited to impart some of my experiences to the youth…and I am even more EXCITED when the invitation comes from folks I admire – like my big sister friend Katti Gray who is the new director of NYU Urban Journalism Workshop: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NYU-Urban-Journalism-Workshop/103601966399839. The site notes that Katti is a prize-winning veteran journalist who, in her words, has "covered hard news and soft: Presidential hopefuls; statehouse lawmakers; hometown heroes; time-honored and pop celebrities; floundering schools in Appalachia; New Feminism’s younger adherents; juveniles on death row; the fight for running water on an outlying Mississippi road."

YOUNG SAVANNAH VOICES

Shout out to on-line health journalism camp “Young Savannah Voices” – directed by my fellow journalist and friend Tina A. Brown who I just ran into a couple of weeks ago at client, The Links, Incorporated’s National Assembly in Orlando.In addition to being a member of The Links, Tina is an author/lecturer. “Crooked Road Straight: The Awakening of AIDS Activist Linda Jordan” is her first book: http://www.crookedroadstraight.com. Meanwhile, I’ve been invited to be a one-time Professional Skype Coach. I will present a workshop about “The Art of a Story”.

As a Windsor Forest High School alum, I get excited when I speak to folks from home! I LOVE YOU, SAVANNAH! THANKS TINA!

"HOW DID (I) GET INTO TELEVISION?"

Shout out to my friend, TV/Social Media Producer Debbie Mitchell! FOLLOW HER here: @TVProducerDeb. She's an Emmy-nominated producer who worked at CBS News in most recent years, but was a Senior-Level Producer (and on-cam talent) for Geraldo Rivera's day-time talk show in the '90s when I was a producer for GERALDO's night-time topical show on CNBC. Through synergies between shows, we grew to be fast friends. Currently, DEBBIE is re-inventing in the sphere of social media. In fact, she's launched a summer blog series "How Did You Get Into Television?" - a question she targets to - her words - "only seasoned TV folks". She wants us to share our stories... and last week was my week: http://ready4air.blogspot.com/2012/07/tell-mehow-did-you-get-into-television_11.html?spref=tw. Thanks Debbie! And CONGRATS, BOO!

“IT’S ON”

Shout out to my ATL BFF Lamoh!

(You remember him from my 2009 in Atlanta where I worked on the team that produced reality shows for Monica as well as ‘Frankie & Neffe’: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/10/5/you-keep-praying-saying-there-must-be-a-better-way.html)!

It was also the summer of the 2nd-season taping of "Real Housewives of Atlanta".

So, it was nothing for us to bump into the ladies on one of the many Peachtrees in Atlanta.

Also: Mr. Dwight - a friend of my friend Carl Nelson for many years - was also a gracious host during my summer in Atlanta and L.A.

He recently invited me to see my friend Sheryl Lee Ralph with whom I just enjoyed some quality time in New Orleans at the National Association of Black Journalists’ Convention (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/6/29/impossible-inevitable.html).

Miss Ralph made her New York Musical Theatre Festival debut in a new musical “IT'S ON!” which celebrates your favorite TV show theme songs. This stage reading PREMIERED recently at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at the Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W. 42nd Street): www.nymf.org/itson ... and it was a HOOT! It features Miss Ralph’s vocal turn on several TV theme song favorites of mine – including “227”; “Love Boat”; “COPS”; “WKRP in Cincinnati”; “Gilligan’s Island”; “Gimme A Break”; “One Day at a Time”; “Maude”; “Wonder Woman”; and more!

Afterwards, Sheryl came out to greet us fellows who love her so – including Ed Roebuck; Lemuel Adam; and several others. FUN NIGHT!

There’s always a night in Harlem. On one recent night – while en route to Harlem’s new Cove Lounge (on invitation from Alyah Horsford and HUFF Events & PR [My Harlem buddy Michelle Huff]) for an intimate event of custom cocktails; great food; and a live taping for The Food Network, I stumbled into my Amazing Grace Nichole Andrews Shellman. She was holding court with her sister Tori Andrews Cole (in town on business from DC); New Ro girlfriend Michelle Sanchez Boyce; Eunice Liriano; and others at Harlem Corner Social.

SUNDAE SERMON 2012 & MORE

Was great to see friends at Sundae Sermon – hosted by Bevy Smith this time. Always great to see friends and fam – including this time: my Spelman sister Adrianne C. Smith; Morehouse brother in song Gregory Caldwell; Marcia Pendelton; Michael K. Watts; Erica Watson; and a host of others. This weekend also allowed quality time with our friend Trevor. And we joined my nephew Noot (Herman L. Riley III) and his mom Fe (Felecia Roberts) for brunch at Lanskys on Columbus between 70th and 71st Streets. Afterwards, Ant & I transitioned via subway to the Williamsburgh section of Brooklyn on invitation from our BFF couple Jason Johnson and Marqice Pressey's beautiful home - including their lovely courtyard. It served as the backdrop for a fellowship of friends - including Trevor; Theo; Alexis; Matthew; and Craig.

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Am excited to have field produced a Black History story back in February. I interviewed Christine Carter for recurring client The Wendy Williams Show. Scroll down to February 1st to see it: http://www.wendyshow.com/MyBlackIsBeautiful/ Now Black Enterprise  has done a story - fleshing out Christine's POWERFUL testimonial where the short TV segment didn't allow: http://www.blackenterprise.com/money/giving-back-against-all-odds/! CONGRATS Christine, Dreena Whitfield, WhitPR, and TEAM WENDY!

DARK KNIGHT RISES

Like Spiderman a couple of weeks ago, “Batman: Dark Knight Rises” (http://www.thedarkknightrises.warnerbros.com/) isn’t exactly my preferred genre of film. But it’s coming out tomorrow and I’ll be screening a 9:20am installment of it with friends and colleagues. GO FIGURE! LOL!

 Hi folks,

“A Day in the Life of Riley: pop culture & possibilities” is always singing the PRAISES of IMAN: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/iman-cosmetics

And during BLACK HISTORY MONTH, IMAN’s team has asked “…the Life of Riley…” to help get the word out on her new,  IMAN Then & Now product line launch.

So many of you enjoyed the last IMAN COSMETICS’ event, we want to make sure you get out this time to try the product with pro make-up artists on site and to enjoy a great panel discussion on a "Retrospective of Black Beauty".

PLEASE RSVP under the promo code #patrick to ensure access to all of the special offers IMAN COSMETICS is providing.

If you cannot view this invitation click HERE:

http://i42.tinypic.com/ibxgmp.jpg

Here’s ALL the info:

A Retrospective of IMAN Beauty

An Iconic Beauty in Every Era

IMAN Cosmetics Celebrates

Black History Month 2012

*

IMAN Cosmetics

Presents

"A Retrospective of Black Beauty"

Saturday, February 11, 2012

2-6 PM

Hue Man Bookstore Harlem NYC

2319 Frederick Douglass Boulevard (bet. 124th & 125th Streets)

RSVP to http://bit.ly/zlbM0T by 5PM EDT 2.10.12

Join the leading cosmetics industry experts for an exciting.

entertaining and informative evening of consultations and conversations about

Black Beauty throughout the ages.

Free Demos * Giveaways * Raffle * Samples _ Panel Discussion and more.

 FOR MORE INFO:

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IMANcosmetics

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/imancosmetics

Website: http://www.imancosmetics.com/looks/then-now

Best and LOVE,

Patrick L. Riley

“A Day in the Life of Riley: pop culture & possibilities”

http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/

If you cannot view this invitation click HERE.

http://i42.tinypic.com/ibxgmp.jpg