A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO?

Well, Ant & I have seen "Why Did I Get Married Too?" twice already… and it’s not out until the top of April (www.WhyDidIGetMarriedTooMovie.com). But you know how we do with our special ladies – his being Miss Jackson! Of course, we loved the sequel’s predecessor (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/10/11/what-has-pop-culture-done-for-me-lately.html)… and got to celebrate that one as well with Janet; Jill Scott; Tasha Smith; and Mr. Tyler Perry. This go around was no exception, though Miss Jackson managed to evade a second photo-op with us but not her date, oldest Jackson sibling Miss Rebbie "Centipede" Jackson. But then, we still got the chance to attend the NYC Premiere at the SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS THEATER. Then, the after party at THE BOWERY HOTEL. First, the movie was AMAZING! What a rollercoaster ride. We LOVED it! The highs were high; the lows were low; and it all had me emotionally riveted and quite proud of Miss Jackson for clearly channeling her real-life loss and churning it into this brilliantly-executed role. The rest of the cast is stellar as well… and a host of others. And they were all too glad to strike a pose amidst the night. ROLL CALL: Tasha Smith; Malik Yoba;  Michael Jai White; Richard T. Jones;  Sharon Leal; Lamman Rucker; Tyler Perry; Deborah Gregory (Cheetah Girls); Gayle King; Dr. Maya Angelou; Ashford & Simpson; Oscar-winning "Precious" screenwriter (adaption) Geoffrey Fletcher; Judge Mathis; Terri J. Vaughn; "Blindside" actor Quinton Aaron; Caroline Rhea; SNL's Rachel Dratch; Jawn Murray; Bob Tate & Dedra Tate; Sports Illustrated model Jessica White. She's the new generation of Tyra; Lynn Whitfield; the ever-lovely Miss Jill Scott. And so many more - including a special shout out to my girl Anna Fuson with Red Sea Entertainment for keeping me in mind for special events like this. This, since we met during my extended stay in L.A. 

BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE: THE STORY OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

Special shout out to “WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO” actor Lamman Rucker who I’ve known for years since he was first in New York City working on one of my favorite soaps “As The World Turns”. We’ve stayed in touch – whether in L.A. or NYC – over these years. To that, he has returned to the Stage for Off-Broadway’s historic drama that pays tribute to the Tuskegee Airman. It’s "Black Angels Over Tuskegee" at New York's St. Luke's Theater. The production is written and directed by Layon Gray. Lamman, who too is a 2010 NAACP Image Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for "Meet The Browns", is joined by a stellar company of performers, who along with Rucker co-founded The Black Gents of Hollywood, an all-male ensemble driven to resurrect, redefine, and restore positive images of African-American men. "It is our duty to highlight a legacy that I believe contributes to restoring the identity of the black male", he says. "I'm especially honored that The Black Gents will debut Off-Broadway and pay tribute to The Tuskegee Airmen and other ancestors of that time who have embodied excellence, self-determination and self-discipline." "Black Angels Over Tuskegee" has been an official selection of the 2007 and 2009 National Black Theater Festival and recently won the 2009 NAACP Award for Best Ensemble, as well as the 2009 Artistic Director Achievement Award for Best Play.  "Black Angels Over Tuskegee"- St. Luke's Theater - 308 W. 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues), NYC. (Monday, Friday, and Saturday -8:00 pm/Sunday -5:00 pm). Tickets are $31.50 and $56.50 and available at www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.

a COOL DIP in the BARREN SAHARAN CRICK

Meanwhile, save 40% on Kia Corthron's new hot-button drama @ Playwrights Horizon! (DISCOUNT CODE CDPP) http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2010/3/22/save-40-on-kia-corthrons-new-hot-button-drama-playwrights-ho.html

MONICA: STILL STANDING

As you know, I field and story produced hit reality show “Monica: Still Standing”. Well, the album is finally in stores… and she’s out and about, making sure the world knows. On her CD’s release date, she was here in NYC on CBS Early Show (http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_early_show/video/?pid=_bJRmbXFwgkiuMkzsoOvyutf3CyRODQN&vs=Default&play=true). Then, she went back to ATL for a signing and then returned to NYC for a late-night CD release celebration. She was up bright and early for “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” on radio; more blitz; and another party on the following night. GO MONICA! GO! SO PROUD OF YOU… and LOVE THE CD!   

TV ONE’S UnSUNG

TV One's UnSung is back for its third season… and I’ve seen screeners of Rose Royce (which just aired this week); Stacy Lattisaw; and Sylvester (running this week). It airs now on Monday nights… and is so entertaining. It's totally the kind of show on which I would work because it chronicles some of the most influential, talented and often forgotten R&B, Soul and Gospel artists of the last 30 years. This biography-style show promises to reveal the business and personal struggles that kept these artists from achieving the iconic commercial status they deserved.  

NEW AMERYKAH PT. 2: RETURN OF THE ANKH

Erykah Badu shared the cover of her upcoming March 30 release, New Amerykah Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh. The artwork was done by noted rock poster designer Emek. And follow up to “Window Seat” is supposed to be a song --"Strawberry Incense"… and you can hear this and find out more by clicking on www.ErykahBadu.com We LOVE our Erykah!

BLOOM - The Spring Party

My buddy Clarence Haynes – renaissance man who writes, edits, models, acts, etc. – is helping to put on a sexy, stylish, Afro-rhythmic, artistic night called BLOOM --The Spring Party. It ‘celebrates the season of flowers and sun, fuses burlesque dancers, booming music, and beautiful bodies bedazzled with paint. Billed as a “pan-sexual celebration” of cultural expressions from the African and Latin Diasporas, this party promises to attract New Yorkʼs bold and beautiful. BLOOM blossoms on Sunday, March 28 from 6:00 p.m. to midnight at ARENA, located at 135 West 41st Street, between 6th Avenue. The parties are produced by Bloom | Events -- a division of Banyan Tree Worldwide Media, Inc. -- in association with Dan Laufeswiler, Ron Lester and my friend Clarence Haynes. ARENA, located next to Bryant Park, ARENA is a multi-level event venue with a capacity for 600+ guests, featuring 20ʼ ceilings and New Yorkʼs largest programmable L.E.D. lighting system. Tickets for the party range from $10 - $25, depending on time of purchase, with pre-sales being handled online at www.thebloomparty.com

MICHAEL K. WATTS, MAXWELL, & THE NYABJ AWARD

Best friend and Morehouse brother Michael K. Watts’ interview feature story on Maxwell won 2nd place in the Magazine - Arts & Entertainment category of the New York Association of Black Journalists Awards. The piece is featured in the August 2009 issue of Upscale magazine. Michael had the pleasure of having a lunch interview with him in early May in advance of Maxwell’s current album BLACKsummers'night which was released on July 7 last year. This feature story, entitled "The Ladies Man" is the result of that lunch, held at Manhattan's Philippe by Philippe Chow on the Upper East Side.

Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won't Be Dating or Having Sex

My former boss of many years Ellen Rakieten is now not only the Executive Producer of NBC’s Marriage Ref but she is an author – along with Anne Coyle – of  “Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won't Be Dating or Having Sex”. And they have dropped their science all over – including “The Wendy Williams Show”. They ask questions like: “Did your date show up wearing socks with sandals? Are tighty-whities a deal-breaker for you? Do fanny packs make you want to run for the door?” The book promises to reveal the secret list of things that so many perfectly eligible guys manage to wear, say, or do to make themselves completely undateable… and then they offer solutions. Be sure to check it out: http://www.amazon.com/Undateable-Things-Guarantee-Dating-Having/dp/034552067X

EASY EVANS

My boy Kenny Miles hipped me to artist Easy Evans – a new, soothing vocalist whose debut effort “At Ease” showcases his ‘in-your-face voice and a tender ear for sophisticated R&B poignancy”, per his bio. It’s a return to good music. Check him out via his twitter – www.twitter.com/easyevans and www.facebook.com/1easyevans and soon his website: WWW.EASYEVANSONLINE.COM.

LAZY SUNDAY

Ant and I hung out with our buddy Robert on Sunday. We had brunch at The Original Pancake House; a cocktail or two at Houlihan's in Weehawken; then more karaoke so I could homage Patti LaBelle and Diana Ross on the mics. Ant got in his muses Janet Jackson and Prince as well. Robert sang not a lick. LOL!

“NOTHING”

Miss Janet Jackson – by the way - also sang the “WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO?”s lead single, “Nothing” in collaboration with Jermaine Dupri and Brian Michael Cox. Beautiful song with a pitch perfect message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpAIHjJh_Gs 

Oh! If I could be two (or even more) places at one time. Or if I could just be present with what is and where I am – in the moment. Instead, I’m managing my five weeks in ATL while looking ahead feverishly to where I’ll lay my head for low-or-no cost while in L.A. on an assignment through October. But there are two welcome short spells in NYC – one work-related; and one slight hiatus [READ: just enough time to switch out my drawers] before I hit Tampa for a week (NABJ Convention - www.nabj.org) followed by that aforementioned two months in L.A. And notwithstanding a couple of beloved sponsors (and the payroll that will only roll out week-by-week and has me catching up on arrears), I have to ensure I can bankroll travel and hotel incidentals; meals; and the many bills before me. WHEW!!!! HEADY and WEIGHTY stuff... and - TRUTH BE TOLD - it feels OVERWHELMING sometimes. But unlike the Whitney of the past on which current Whitney reflects, "I (DO) know my own strength!!!!" And I will make it through. [Heard Nippy's new one, by the way? www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u9INHSQ6mQ].

Oh! And inside all of that, Ant and I must maintain as best a connection/communication as possible with our mutually demanding, respective schedules – especially my around-the-clock demands - that make catch-up time virtually impossible. Some days are better than others for me when we can't speak. Other times, I wile out from the loneliness and the distance. And though he's less a complainer and more apt to just accept it as it is (in those moments) than I am, I know it's rough for him too. But we will get it in – hopefully with several visits in whichever aforementioned location. ACCEPTING ALL PRAYER, MY PEEPS because it is ALL MORE THAN A NOTION!!!!! And I know you understand for whatever your challenges may be. But I had to get that off my chest. THANKS FOR LISTENING...

SO, since touching down in Atlanta, I have hit the ground running with my latest project (which like my first ATL project will premiere on BET – the former August 25^th; the latter October 27^th) – Details later when I can actually talk about it. But it's reality TV - a new frontier for me!!!! Long shooting days have kept me creatively and physically busy – even exhausted, but grateful for a meantime revenue stream. And Ant has been working mad hours in NYC as “The Wendy Williams Show” (www.wendyshow.com/) has finally premiered on FOX affiliates nationwide (and BET). Her first guest was our Vanessa Williams (www.vanessawilliams.com/) whose mother "Gaga" (Helen) is likely the show's biggest fan (Loves her some Ant too).

(Too, Ant’s been hitting some hot sets and holding it down on our behalf – including the 20^th Anniversary of “Do The Right Thing” screening and after party - www.amazon.com/Do-Right-Thing...Anniversary/.../B0024EWP6W) as well as a screening of independent film “Ink”, a spiritual thriller about the power of destiny that some of his Denver folks produced.

My home away from home – this go around – is (again) the TWELVE Hotel in Atlantic Station (www.TwelveHotels.com). My neighbors happen to be the cast of Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married 2?” (www.tylerperry.com). Well, at least some of them are staying here. Hot off of seeing and hanging out with her twin sister Sidra in L.A., I stumbled into Tasha Smith with whom Ant and I hung out at the premiere of the original flick. Malik Yoba is in the house as well as Sharon Leal. When we checked in, Janet Jackson was – of course – with her family in L.A. (and may I say what a wonderful send-off to Michael Jackson at his memorial. So touching! Such honor! So much LOVE!). I was also excited to find that my college buddy Danni was staying here as she was working on one of BET’s new game shows “Pay It Off” which my friend Kim Coles is hosting (www.bet.com). And her now-grown daughter Le-Le is now married and was visiting Danni in Atlanta along with her husband Jason and another dear friend. It’s been 14 years since I’ve seen Danni and Le-Le. What a great reunion that was!!!

I also got to spend time with my “Original Amazing Grace”, best friend Natalie who is a very busy career woman/mother/wife. But she took some time to take me to my favorite restaurant Houston’s (www.hillstone.com). Another time she came and rescued me from a fast-moving depression and talked me lovingly through some challenges. And my Nichole, who is again here in Atlanta with me for this leg, came out to say HI. Of course, I had to capture it.

And though I missed Beyonce this go around as scheduling didn’t allow (though tickets came through), Ant and I will always have Manila where she serenaded me Happy Birthday! I too had to miss “The Wiz” with my friend LaChanze but Ant and our friends Ern, Patrice, Keron, and Kimberly went… and had a blast I hear. Of course, “The Wiz” has been on everyone’s minds with the passing of Michael Jackson. I can’t stop playing this clip of MJ and DR on her 1981 special: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BfvzaSxkSY. In fact, while at soul food joint “Mrs. Bs on 4^th” in Birmingham (on a day shoot), I stumbled into a little boy named Tarek who insists he is the next Michael Jackson who some years ago told the boy how talented he was.

Speaking of Diana (Aren’t I always? LOL!): Remember “American Idol” Taylor Hicks? Well, he’s remade a song my Diana recorded on her 1991 “Force Behind The Power” CD. Diana’s “Battlefield” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRRIztNC). Taylor’s “I Live On a Battlefield” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMkEhvnVo4Y).

The sounds of Diana Ross (some remixes from the aforementioned project) and Jennifer Holliday were piping through the speakers at “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Dwight’s home for the 4^th of July. My friend Lamoh invited me to join him for the festive celebration. (I know Dwight via my ‘platonic boo’ Carl Nelson). Dwight was ever the gracious host – piling me a plate to go plus a bottle of wine. Truly a class act all around, I look forward to seeing the new season of the show. Afterwards, Lamoh and I hit a set in Douglasville. Another night, we hung out at Tapas Restaurant Eros (www.erostapas.com), which turns into quite the disco scene. We also did a stint at “Harlem Bar” (www.harlembaratlanta.com).

You recall, my friend Greg and I met with Ryan of designer firm Hugh Simms (www.hughsimms.com). Well, I sported the “Gentlemen Johnny” for a Sunday at the Intercontinental Buckhead (www.ichotelsgroup.com). Well, you can now find these looks in high-end department store Segal’s (www.fredsegal.com).

As small world’s go, remember I mentioned how Ant is booking opera burlesque diva “Black Betty” at The Velvet Lounge in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (www.velvetbrooklyn.com/). Well, it turns out an audio guy and friend with whom I work sometimes, Khalif, is her longtime friend and manager. Khalif is here in Atlanta where we uncovered this small-world tidbit.  Meanwhile, my Morehouse brother and friend Khalid is in town on business and we’ve had the chance to hang out a little. He’s here cutting some deals for a couple of animation projects. And he was featured in an image on the cover of a recent issue of Black MBA Magazine (www.blackmbaonline.com/).

And I attended V103’s Car & Bike Show (www.v-103.com/) which featured many and plenty from Atlanta’s entertainment scene – including The Dream, Christina Milian, Bustah Rhymes, Chilli, ‘Housewives’ Kandi & Sheree, Outkast’s Big Boi, and ‘the legendary’ Miss Sophia - the only one with whom I got a picture as I was working and staying focused. But my colleague Steve insisted I get this one.

My assignment here wraps July 29^th at which time I will return to NYC for a week before heading to Tampa, then L.A. for two months. But this weekend, I am scheduled to hit NYC for a couple of days (on assignment). Will be great to take in The Big Apple (and see Ant), if only for a night or two. Reminds me of this night in the mid-90s when my college mates Z, Cassandra, and I were getting our feet wet in New York City (along with this fabulous shirt that I must find and remix: It's vintage now! LOL!).