A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

ALWAYS A BLAST to GUEST CO-HOST on Arise Entertainment 360 with Lola Ogunnaike and Shannon Lanier:http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/arise-entertainment-360. While Shannon Lanier was in L.A. covering MTV Awards - or the MTV Video Music Awards - and Emmy Awards, Lola Ogunnaike held down the fort.

The 2014 VMAs Red Carpet!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmoJEuJs14o&feature=youtu.be

SWV gives all the details on their new Season of SWV Reunited!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p-5yVts9I8&feature=youtu.be

Phillip Bloch recaps the 2014 VMA Red Carpet Fashion!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajEUM0CILGM&feature=youtu.be

Robyn M Santiago takes us inside the 2014 Emmy Awards "SWAG" Bag!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMYZolzFnYk&feature=youtu.be

Us Weekly Editor Charles Thorp recaps the 2014 Emmy Awards!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVqf_kcl6a8&feature=youtu.be

The cast of God Help The Girl discuss the new film!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0a0gCFlIXI&feature=youtu.be

Dash Mihok on his role in the hit series Ray Donovann!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Dk1wn2qwo&feature=youtu.be

Phillip Bloch recaps the 2014 Emmy Awards Red Carpet!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PplxeLNiJ6s&feature=youtu.be 

FYI: Arise News is on TV now in NYC/NJ area - 18 million homes Mon-Fri 2pm on Time Warner Cable #92 & Verizon FiOS #481 plus still on millions of TVs overseas. And it's coming this FALL 2014 to CentricTV - BET Networks. As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! XO #ARISE360

http://www.arise.tv/entertainment/arise-360-24-07-7564 - Here is the full episode of Thursday's Arise Entertainment 360 which I got to guest co-host with Lola Ogunnaike! Friday’s link is here: http://www.arise.tv/entertainment/arise-360-25-07-7592! Meanwhile to reflect on this week’s FUN segments: Meital Dohan tells all about her new single "Give Us Back Love!" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVHctlp4beg&feature=youtu.be @MEITALDOHAN; Steven boss AKA "Twitch" chat about his career in choreography, his fancy footwork! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GjEFauLMQ4&feature=youtu.be @official_tWitch (Lola and I got our groove on as well: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152359420863737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater); Directors of Bottoms Up Kurt Williamson & Christopher Alvarez discuss the documentary! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX0jVa7cPzs&feature=youtu.be @KURTWURK @TRANSCENDENTCEO;

 Ample Hills Creamery founder Brian Smith brings flavorful ice cream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALqvnKSxGt0&feature=youtu.be @AMPLEHILLS! AND THIS WEEK, I’m filling in on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360: GLOBAL EDITION - http://www.arise.tv/entertainment/arise-360-global-edition.  ‪#‎ARISE360

SOME SHOUT OUTS

CONGRATS to my friend and fellow writer/producer Fred Bumaye on his latest short film TONSURE. Fred wrote and directed it. It is executive produced by Malik Yoba and Savannah homeboy (one of my BFFs) Maurice Marable.  This is a link to the trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvOpaqnXXKU This is an awesome piece of independent cinema! TONSURE HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR URBANWORLD 2014‏. Please follow Tonsure on twitter @TonsureMovie

CONGRATS to dear friend Jason Johnson on his co-working space Confluence Coworking Bud Stuy. For more info, please click on and LIKE: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Confluence-Coworking-Bed-Stuy/675390382536000 

Shout out to all my peeps associated with FINDING FELA: FINDING FELA which will open in theaters on August 1, 2014. Academy Award©-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, etc.) returns with Finding Fela, an insightful and provocative look into the life of Nigerian musician/activist Fela Kuti (1938 – 1997), his music, and his social and political importance. This in-depth look at the man who created Afrobeat (a fusion of Jazz, traditional West African rhythms, Funk, Highlife, and psychedelic rock) brings audiences close to Mr. Kuti's fight against the dictatorial Nigerian government of the 1970s and 80s. With his audacious music and a great deal of courage, Fela Kuti helped bring a change towards democracy in Nigeria, promoted Pan Africanist politics to the entire world and became an inspiration in the global fight for the rights of all oppressed people. Taking audiences through a multi-threaded journey into the power of art to effect political and social change, Finding Fela also reveals the creative process behind the Broadway musical Fela!, directed and co-conceived by acclaimed choreographer Bill. T. Jones.  Finding Felafeatures never-before-seen footage of his major concerts and exclusive interviews with Femi Kuti (Fela's eldest son), Yeni Kuti (Fela's first child), Seun Kuti (Fela's youngest son), Sandra Izsadore (former Black Panther party member), Questlove and Sir Paul McCartney, to what is bound to be the most inspirational and high-energy celebration of the summer.

FUNK JAZZ IS 20: CONGRATS to my Savannah homeboy Jason Orr on 20 YEARS of Funk Jazz Kafé - https://www.facebook.com/FunkJazzKafe?fref=ts. WHAT A BLESSING! THANK YOU FOR SUCH A GIFT!

MOMENTUM

Momentum Honors honored me this past weekend at SOHO House in NYC with its Pillar of Empowerment Award! Blessed! Beyonce donated 100K to the cause which is MOMENTUM's TEEN program. She didn't attend. Was at the BET Awards 2014. But this gracious gift comes in the wake of her donating 10K each of the last two years. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

To: Robinson Lynn and the MOMENTUM TEAM

To: Tamara and the MOMENTUM TEENS TEAM

To: ALL OF MY FELLOW HONOREES – including Sylvia High (I TRULY AM HONORED TO BE IN YOUR ESTEEMED COMPANY)!

To: ALL MY MOMENTUM FAMILY and your FRIENDS AND FAMILY – many of whom came out!

A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO CURTIS DENNIS who has continued to be a role model for BEING THE DIFFERENCE beyond RESIDENTIAL. I love you, Curtis! Thank you!

AND MICHELE BREIER with whom I had the JOY to CO-SENIOR LT 16. THANKS FOR COMING, MICHELE!

I AM AN AUTHENTIC, LOVING, VULNERABLE MAN.

I GRADUATED THE BASIC IN JULY 2004;

THE ADVANCED IN SEPTEMBER 2004;

AND LEADERSHIP (LT 12) JANUARY 2005.

AS I MENTIONED, I WAS SENIOR STAFF FOR LT 16 AND A RECURRING INTRO NIGHT HOST.

I ACCEPT THIS AWARD IN THE MEMORY OF LT 10'S NENE OFUATEY-KODJOE - MY EMO.

ALSO TO THE MEMORY OF MOMENTUM Founder Robin Lynn WHO generously launched the Nene Ofuatey-Kodjoe Momentum Education Scholarship in April 2005. AS A RESULT, DOZENS - IN ROBIN'S WORDS - HAVE "GOTTEN TO GO" BECAUSE OF THIS GENEROUS GIFT.

AND TO MY LIFE PARTNER OF 8-1/2 YEARS, ANTHONY HARPER, ONE OF MOMENTUM'S NENE SCHOLARS: I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME AND ALLOWING ME TO LOVE YOU - THROUGH IT ALL!

THANKS EVERYBODY! AND A BIG SHOUT OUT to those who came out to surprise me: PETE; CECIL (who introduced Kodjoe to the work); MARJORIE MCFARLANE; LUSTER CHAUNCEY; AMANDA; PETER; et al! THANKS ALL!

SSU MEDIA HIGH

HOMETOWN BOY [me] is too EXCITED TO BE back home in Savannah as Keynote Speaker for the SSU MEDIA HIGH program! THE CLOSING CEREMONY & LUNCHEON at Savannah State University’s Department of Mass Communications (Adams Hall) was an INSPIRATIONAL LOVE FEST – WWW.SSUMEDIAHIGH.NET.SPONSORS/PARTICIPANTS included WTOC – the first TV station to hire me (in high school) as “teleprompter” for the 5p and 6p newscasts. Contributor Kim Gusby saw my visit newsworthy enough to tease it on “Coastal Sunrise” - http://bit.ly/lor_ssuhigh. WSAV sent cameras to the event as well for later newscasts. One of my NABJ mentors/Spelman big sister Wanda Lloyd is Chair of SSU’s Department of Mass Communications (She too is childhood BFFs with my favorite teacher from Windsor Forest High School, Mrs. Linda Green, who surprised me! And what a full-circle moment as in order for me to be able to do the WTOC gig, Mrs. Green took me to my mom’s job to get the car – so I could get downtown. Then, I’d pick mom up after the 6p newscast wrapped! THANK YOU, LINDA GREEN!). And to my NABJ sister Tina A. Brown, THANK YOU for inviting me as she is DIRECTOR of SSU Media High and a friend for life. Though I am a MOREHOUSE MAN, I followed a similar curriculum as Spelmanite Wanda Lloyd as we both studied much of our chosen professions' basics at CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY's Mass Media Arts Department. So, this was even more of a FULL CIRCLE moment to be speaking at SSU as Wanda Lloyd is a Savannah native as well! And what a blessing that my DAD – 80-YEARS-YOUNG – RETIRED CMSGT USAF HERMAN L. RILEY SR. – was able to join me along with his wife Diana. Appreciated his support, pride, and hospitality while I was home.FEELING FULL, BLESSED, and ENCOURAGED at the new generation of multi-platform journalists before us!CONGRATS to the SSU MEDIA HIGH grads of SUMMER 2014! AND YOU MUST KNOW it was GREAT to hang out with my family afterwards! We ALWAYS have a GREAT TIME! LOVE Y'ALL! AND LOVE SAVANNAH! #SSUMEDIA HIGH

Summer karaoke break

The SPRING 2014 SERIES of “BILLIE’S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY” wrapped last week! ! And so happy that GORDON CHAMBERS chose our final TUESDAY to come out, support, and sing (songs from his catalog like “Missing You” - the Grammy nominated theme of Set It Off (performed by Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan) and my favorite, Brownstone's Grammy nominated hit "If You Love Me" which he rocked a caapella (and you know I joined in). 
Gordon graciously joined our “The Boss” chorus on that Diana Ross disco anthem penned and produced by the Ashford & Simpson. To buy Gordon’s amazing music and find out where he’s performing next, check out http://gordonchambers.com/. Among many magical moments last night (STAY TUNED for clips throughout the day), GRAND FINALE WINNER Husain Mello Deas Williams came and blessed our FINAL installment in our SPRING 2014 SERIES of Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley! He redeemed his winning recently as he sang in that night's Motown the Musical and later enjoyed a scrumptious meal at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul! We're PROUD of you, HUSAIN! MUCH LOVE! My nephew Herman Lee Riley III and so many of our ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULS were in the house as well as my Morehouse brethren BFFs Michael K. Watts, Mario Ephraim; and a VERY SPECIAL APPEARANCE by fellow Morehouse College Glee Club brother and professional vocalist (of the Opera kind), Cornelius V. Johnson - performing Porgy & Bess nearby. He BLESSED our GRAND FINALE with a beautiful "SUMMERTIME". It brought me to tears! THANKS TO EVERYBODY FOR YOUR SUPPORT! I LOVE YOU! P.S. Since Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke served as such a great back-drop for BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS, just drop a line to patarack@hotmail.com. I'll forward you accordingly to BILLIE'S BLACK as they will work with you on available dates; menu; method(s) of payment; particulars - including a premium option of booking our ALL STAR KARAOKE TEAM to host and produce your special celebration. It's a great way to celebrate for you and your friends. Please feel free to pass this along and let everyone know!!! We have had such an amazing time at “Billie’s Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley”. Some amazing All Star performers have graced the stage including Recording Artists/R&B Divas – Atlanta: Monifah & Keke Wyatt; recording artist Shaliek; our All Star Karaoke faithfuls, like Fashion Queen’s Bevy Smith; GMA/ABC News Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo; celebrity hairstylist Carla Bone (clients including Jada Pinkett Smith and Kerry Washington) and Brian Badie (clients including Ice T, Coco, etc.); Mindy Project's Xosha Roquemore; Anthony Wayne (Broadway’s “Pippin’” and “Mighty Real Sylvester”); and so many more! THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!#motownmay 

ABFF

 Film Life Presents the 18th annual American Black Film Festival took place in NYC for the first time: www.abff.com. TWITTER - @abff. SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to my friend Patrik-Ian Polk on his NEW FILM “BLACKBIRD”: TWITTER - @blkbirdthefilm. MO'NIQUE stars! ANOTHER SHOUT OUT to my colleague Kai Brown’s brother Tobi Gadison who starred in ‘Myra’s Angel’, which made its ABFF debut this weekend. The script was penned by Skye Dennis and directed by Hakim Hudson. The film tells the story of a a man’s (played by Tobi Gadison) journey for redemption as he tries to clear his name of a robbery he didn’t commit. ALSO: We saw "Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee," Documentary About Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, made its big screen premiere at the American Black Film Festival. The film, which is the work of Mr. Davis and Ms. Dee's grandson Muta'Ali, is part tribute, part history lesson and part coming-of-age story and gives viewers an intimate look into the "remarkable lives of the couple many consider the all-time king and queen of Black Hollywood," according to production notes. Shout out to my dear friends Teri Prettyman Bowles and husband Alvin Bowles - Associate Producers on the project. OH! A wonderful hang on Friday with dear friend Jason Johnson would have us run into Kate Mulgrew from “Orange is the New Black”! #ABFF2014 #nyc #oitnb REST IN PEACE, RUBY DEE! WE MISS YOU ALREADY! XOXOXOXO

MISS ROSS

WELL, MISS ROSS performed to a PACKED HOUSE at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN – THE THEATER this weekend! THAT’S ALL! SO GOOD to hang out with my ROSS enthusiasts as Rhonda Ross opened with her electrifying set followed bombastically by MISS ROSS who was in GREAT FORM --- effortlessly giving her audience HIT after HIT after HIT! “SING RAIF,” Miss Ross exclaimed on “The Boss” – looking out to her quite enthusiastic grandson, Diana and Berry Gordy’s grandboy! “Raif! You’re THE BOSS!” LOL! SHOUT OUT TO ALL MY ROSS PEEPS! Derrick even got to see MISS ROSS for the first time! She did not disappoint ONE BIT!

JALC

Shout out to Dwayne Ashley, Vice President of Development at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and my BFF, Miss Sidra Smith, NAACP Image Award winning producer for “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” – THE DOCUMENTARY of 2013-2014 season, if you ask me! They each made sure I was in the house for Jazz at Lincoln Center's SWING, A SUMMER BENEFIT COCKTAIL PARTY inside the gorgeous Appel Room in at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall – overlooking Columbus Circle and the South entrance to Central Park. The night included a FAMILY REUNION (of sorts) as so many of my industry buddies and associates were in the house! Primarily, though, there were performances by Jonathan Batiste, Cécile McLorin Salvant, The Rodriguez. In the 2013-14 season, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s performance and education initiatives impacted audiences on both local and global scale. The organization served 724 children through its WeBop early childhood education program, while 2,700 schools participated in the annual Essentially Ellington high school jazz program. Honorary Chairs are Tonya and Spike Lee, Maya Haile and Marcus Samuelsson, Lance Riddick, Mickalene Thomas, Tamara Tunie, Eboni Marshall Turman and Rossie Turman, III, Jeffrey Wright. swing! Chair is Lola C. West. swing! Co-Chairs are Valerie S. Brown, Mignon Espy-Edwards, Christopher Montgomery, Kimberly Steward. swing! Co-Presenters are Valentino D. Carlotti, Reginald Van Lee, The Steward Family Foundation. swing! Host Committee includes Ken Allen, Paul Atkins, Kelly Smith Beaty, Kesha Cash, Harriette Cole, Candice Cook, Dionyse Fitzwilliam, Ian S. Fuller, Phyllis Hollis, Jim Johnson, Angela Kyle, Ed Lewis, Spencer Means, Courtney Lee Mitchell and Marcus Mitchell, Jarrod Guy Randolph, Ayo Roach, Trevor Scotland, Clinton Townsend, Nicole Valentine, Faye Wattleton, Eric Woods. #jalcnyc

5^TH HARMONY

Anthony Harper and I loved us some FIFTH HARMONY during the second season of The X Factor. The group consists of members Ally Brooke Hernandez, Normani Hamilton, Dinah Jane Hansen, Camila Cabello, and Lauren Jauregui. They signed a joint deal with Syco Music, owned by Simon Cowell, and Epic Records, L.A. Reid's record label, after finishing in third place behind Tate Stevens and Carly Rose Sonenclar on the show. NOW, THEY ARE SOON COMING OUT (Pre-Order Fifth Harmony's NEW single 'BO$$' on iTunes http://smarturl.it/5HBOSS). WAS TOO EXCITED to refer colleague and LIFE OF RILEY consultant Derrick Hemphill to an opportunity that he shot and produced for an upcoming talk show about which I won’t say much now (BUT STAY TUNED). THE BONUS: My day’s work was happening nearby – so I just HAD to stop by and hear their new song BOSS (You know, I love a BOSS! LOL!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isXyg_2PsdU&feature=kp. BECOME one of the HARMONIES (along with me) and follow FIFTH HARMONY at : https://twitter.com/5HonTour; Instagram @5HonTour_; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fifthharmonyupdates; and Tumblr: http://5hontour.tumblr.com/. #5HonTour #5thharmony #fifthharmony

TONI SEAWRIGHT & MJ

Was too excited to host TONI SEAWRIGHT’s 50th Birthday Honoring the Music and Legacy of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson with family and friends in Brooklyn, New York at the 5 Spot. I sang “Got to Be There” with the HOT BAND! Shout out to them for rehearsing with me a couple of days prior to ensure I could hit those CHAKA notes. I even rehearsed at our closing night of ALL STAR KARAOKE: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152301811918737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater.

WATN: GERALDO

You guys know “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” is a recurring client – content which features updates on some of the biggest newsmakers and most memorable Oprah show guests of all time.  Next Sunday, July 9 at 9p ET, please check out my update with television host and journalist Geraldo Rivera – another full circle moment as he was my first boss in New York City circa 1995-1997. ALSO in the show: Party of Five’s Scott Wolf; Elvira, Mistress of the Dark; author Terry McMillan and the survivor of a brutal shark attack. PROMO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvsCU4ZVl8Y 

Hi folks,

Shout out to ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 and its hosts Lola Ogunnaike and Shannon Lanier for having me on FRIDAY to talk GATSBY: the book, the film(s), the blueprint on hip hop!

HERE’S THE LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBT9mSmfmCo

GREAT TALK!

Last week, I was on to talk BROADWAY:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxfe-hG_aY. In that segment, I predicted the iconic Cicely Tyson would be nominated for her role in Broadway's "The Trip to Bountiful". And she was!! YAY!

So, they played that clip and referenced my prediction the following day:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuJEs6ruin0.

Special shout out to Keyon Williams; my Amazing Grace Nichole Andrews; one of my NABJ BFFs Paula Witt; Eugenia Harvey; Gary Anthony Ramsay – just a few of the VILLAGE PEOPLE it has taken to get me on! And WOW! A CALL-BACK! Thanks ALL! @ARISETV360 #AE360

I’VE BEEN YAPPING A BIT OF LATE ON-AIR! LOL!: 

THIS JUST IN: Steampunk is invading popular culture. What exactly is steampunk? Well, 26 minutes into the show, please see my on-cam, pop culture weigh-in on the rise of steampunk in popular culture. Shout out to Nadja Thomas – producer/reporter of CUNY’s 219 West TV news magazine show that airs five times a month on channel 75. You can see it here: http://219tvmagazine.journalism.cuny.edu/2013/05/12/219-west-may-2013/. The show will live online and be promoted until our next show airs in another month. As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Please feel free to FWD/SHARE/BLAST OUT! XOXOXO 

SOME OF MY LATEST ON-CAM POP CULTURE:

1) I got an invite to do red carpet interviews on MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL's opening night for its cameras! YAY! LOL! Here’s the clip I host: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ. AND THIS VIDEO IS LOOPING ON THE MONITORS OUTSIDE THE THEATER! WOW! LOL!

2) Other outlets picked up the raw footage:

http://www.reuters.com/video/2013/04/16/motown-memorialized-in-new-musical?videoId=242278913&videoChannel=3.

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=An_r_D2HM5Q.

3) My debut media impression on COZI-TV and NBC 4 a couple of weeks ago received raves as I weighed in - as pop culture expert - on BLACKS/BROADWAY:

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Pop-Culture-Expert-Patrick-Riley-on-Black-Broadway_New-York.html

COMING UP:

I just had a blast interviewing my friend Kenneth Carr this afternoon at his place. His new CD "Amazing Love" is coming out next month… and his management invited me to interview him for a promo video they will be using to promote its release. He recently released the video for his lead-off single “Brassing My Opinion” – shot and directed by my girlfriend Shareen King! It’s a huge hit – having already attracted upwards of 200,000 clicks on Kenny’s YOU TUBE channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNmTiAvVZW0. Follow @kennycarrmusic and www.facebookcom/kennethcarr. Purchase the single at Amazon, iTunes, Spotify,Google Play For Bookings contact thekingsdaughtersk@gmail.com. Stay tuned for the edited interview in the coming weeks! As Kenny knows singing is a sidelight for me, we not only reviewed his music-in-progress and music-completed, he let me play around with a track or few – one for which he wants me to write some lyrics – so we can record a track! Great SATURDAY!

As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Best & LOVE,

Patrick L. Riley

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

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

HAPPY EASTER

Was great to reconnect with NYC fam, dear friends Mara Schiavocampo and Tommie Porter at their Harlem pad! Great food; Great peeps - including our usual suspects, including the special presence of E! Entertainment News' Alicia Quarles; her husband Mike; and their extended fam! THE FOOD - as always - was AMAZING!    And it would NOT have been a party without me singing something - in this case a duet of Whitney Houston's "My Name Is Not Susan" with Alicia! LOL! FUN! Oh, and how could we ever forget the PRINCESS HOSTESS WITH THE MOST-EST: MISS NINA!

TEVIN CAMPBELL

Ant & I recently enjoyed an inspired and invigorating set of live song from Tevin Campbell who did ALL of his hits and a few of Michael Jackson's tunes inside of a tribute: "Butterflies"; "Human Nature"; and "Remember the Time". This, at BB Kings!  So nice to see Tevin again --- in great form! And even nicer to see my friend Darius Booker singing beautifully in Tevin's background vocal chamber.

FREE ANGELA AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS

At Mara and Tommie’s Easter Brunch, BFF Sidra Smith attended. She’s Co-Producer on "Free Angela" (documentary about Angela Davis that’s in theaters this Friday).    AND ANGELA DAVIS WAS IN THE HOUSE! So PROUD of Sidra who invited Ant’s and my favorite couple Mara Schiavocampo and hubby Tommie Porter out to celebrate alongside us the PREMIERE of “Free Angela And All Political Prisoners”.     WHAT A GREAT NIGHT! AND WHAT A GREAT FILM! Sid enrolled Jada Pinkett Smith; Will Smith; and Jay Z to come aboard the project as Executive Producers. Those Smiths attended the special night which took place at The Schomburg Center. And so many of the WHO'S WHO were in the house, I can't name them all: but including Sonia Sanchez, Kathleen Cleaver, Ruby Dee, Harry Belafonte, Micheala angela Davis, Vy Higginsen, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Michael Vann, Stacey J,  Nelson George (who is presenting a screening of WATTSTAX and Panel Discussionthis Friday 4.5. BUY TICKETS! http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/wattstax#NJPAC), friend and publicist BJ Coleman's client Max Tapper ('One Live to Live', etc.); Common, Kevin Powell, BET’s President & CEO Debra Lee, Roland Martin, Omarosa, Paul Wharton, Rhonda Ross (Her next show is at CUTTING ROOM!!! Tickets are already selling fast!!! http://tickets.thecuttingroomnyc.com/event/244163-rhonda-ross-new-york/),  her husband Rodney Kendrick, Jamie Foster Brown, George Faison, T, Melanie Fiona, T.J. Holmes, Terrie Williams, Jacquie Lee, and so many more!!! And of course, it was like a FAMILY REUNION! I saw so many near and dear to me in the mix and in support of ‘Free Angela’. CHECK OUT SIDRA SMITH’s interview on ESSENCE.COM: http://www.essence.com/2013/03/29/essence-exclusive-interview-sidra-smith ‘Free Angela’ is in theaters this FRIDAY, APRIL 5TH! So, please HONOR Sidra; the film’s creative visionary and Director Shola Lynch and the Executive Producers Will Smith; Jada Pinkett Smith; and Jay-Z THIS FRIDAY and BEYOND by seeing “Free Angela And All Political Prisoners” – EXCLUSIVELY IN SELECT AMC THEATRES. And PLEASE get in on the MOVEMENT:

FACEBOOK: /FreeAngelaFilm

TWITTER: @FreeAngelaFilm I #FreeAngela

GET GLUE: www.GetGlue.com

TAKE PART: www.TakePart.com

TUGG: www.Tugg.com

INSTAGRAM: /FreeAngelaMovie

BET UP FRONT

Just got word that the L.A. installment of BET's Up Front was a success - including reaction to the presentation videos I had a hand in helping produce! It's been quite the labor of LOVE for the last couple of months. Next stop: Chicago, then New York City for the last stop on the tour - in mid-April (which I hope to attend)!

BIZ BOND

I am glad I got to pop by the launch of my friends Nathan Hale Williams' & Tammy Ford's soon-to-be-weekly networking event BIZ BOND at Hudson Bond on 215 W 40th btw 7th & 8th Avs. PLEASE come and join us the next time!!! Congrats Nathan and Tammie! Fun and POWER NETWORKING to boot!!! WIN WIN!

CONVERGENCE

My friend Karen Chilton is a mutli-layered threat: actress; author; playwright; voice-over artist; and so much more! I first came to know her through my friend Ken Roberson (ALSO AN EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMER who is directing our girlfriend La Chanze’s upcoming 54 BELOW show that will tribute DIANA ROSS). A few years ago, Karen wrote the critically-acclaimed biography “HAZEL SCOTT: THE PIONEERING JOURNEY OF A JAZZ PIANIST FROM CAFÉ SOCIETY TO HOLLYWOOD TO HUAC” (University of Michigan Press). Her current work CONVERGENCE is being presented as a staged reading at Joe’s Pub (www.joespub.com). The five-character play set on Chicago’s Gold Coast will featureSharon Washington & Reg E. Cathey (Directed by Awoye Timpo with music by Xavier Davis). CONVERGENCE uses the relationship between a prominent psychiatrist and her schizophrenic patient to explore the dynamics of class and community. The play’s rhythmic style uses jazz as a metaphor as the dialogue between the characters flows from melodious and harmonious to discordant and cacophonous.  It all goes down Monday, April 15^th at 6:30 pm. TICKETS ON SALE NOW for $15. Click on www.joespub.com.

KIDS JAZZ CONCERT SERIES

WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM celebrates the 20th anniversary of the award-winning Kids Jazz Concert Series with five, free interactive programs for young people. The celebration features percussionist Bobby Sanabria at Newark Symphony Hall on April 6; bassist/vocalist Mimi Jones, Montclair Art Museum, April 13; drummer Lenny White, Newark Museum, April 20; vocalist Lauren Hooker, Luna Stage, April 27; and pianist Michael Wolff, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, May 4. For more information on the 2013 WBGO Kids Jazz Concert Series, please visit www.wbgo.org/kids.

 ISOUL HARRIS’ NICKI MINAJ

Shout out to my Morehouse brother Isoul Harris – Editor in Chief of UPTOWN MAGAZINE! His book “NICKI MINAJ: HIP POP MOMENTS 4 LIFE” is out in the U.S. this week!!! It's the first mass market biography of the superstar (Omnibus Press). Isoul calls it a smart & fun exploration & analysis of her meteoric rise to superstardom. Those who wish to support, check it out in Barnes & Noble or order here: http://amzn.to/QnW9Yn #NickiMinaj #Minaj #minajhippop #books #author #writer #hiphop #femalerappers #AmericanIdol YOUR BIG BROTHER IS SO PROUD!

FASHION QUEENS

My girl Bevy Smith deserves a STANDING OVATION! Her limited series on Bravo “Fashion Queens” – co-starring Miss Lawrence and Derek  J reached 1.1 MILLION viewers last week! JOB WELL DONE, LADIES! And BRAVO and Mr. Cohen: ORDER UP! LOL! CONGRATS ALL!

WATTSTAX

In closing, and as I mentioned last week, pop culture icon Nelson George and WATTSTAX at NJPAC I Friday April 5 CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO: http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/wattstax  #NJPAC