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 Joan Rivers (2)
"... A LITTLE RAIN MIXED WITH GOD'S SUNSHINE..."
Great moments over the last couple of weeks…
I met Chandra in 1992. We hit it off instantly and grew quite close. She introduced me to Tata at the top of 1995. Not exactly a love fest off the top, but soon thereafter, Tata became my total BFF and sister. In those days, we spoke our dreams - including love, family, and fortune. Fast forward to 2009 and Chandra's baby boy Gavin comes into our lives, and she brought him up from Atlanta to spend time with us. We did Thai at Pongsri in NYC. And Gavin enjoyed his Uncles Ern, Ant, and me before they went their way and we headed back to NJ by way of The Path to Hoboken, then home. LOVELY REUNION!
Speaking of reunions: I recently sent a note to "Girlfriends" creator Mara Brock Akil - a friend of mine. I told her to do a "Girlfriends" finale/reunion on "The Game".
Melanie and Joan are first cousins after all. All Melanie needs to do on one episode is leave San Diego and go to her cousin Joan's wedding in L.A. VOILA, right? 
Oh, by the way, I love the STYLE-network special on Tia and Tamera. I love them anyway! Seeing them in their 'reality' proves that much more compelling for me.
Speaking of girlfriends: I finally went to my girlfriend Georgia Scott's coffee shop and book store GLOBETRIPPIN' for a brunch of blueberry pancakes, extra crispy bacon, and signature breakfast potatoes and eggs. It's been many years since I've seen my Georgia! Thrilled for her newfound, entrepreneurial success. GLOBETRIPPIN' is... in Harlem on Amsterdam between 143rd and 144th.
Was great to see karaoke buddies Sharleen, Mari, and Marco at our karaoke spot.
We always have a sanging good time!
Also, recently had lunch at Native with Earth Angel Management’s Nicolle McGuire and her client Gustavo, an awesome graphic artist from Argentina. (Maybe synergies for the pilot project).
Then, an impromptu afternoon in Harlem – including the Harlem Street Book Fair;
wine & laughs at our girlfriend Sidra’s place (along with my LEGENDS: “Visible Lives” author, actor, and screen/playwright Stanley Bennett Clay and Tina Andrews, screenwriter of “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” and the ‘Sally Hemmings’ story).
We all segued to our favorite couple Mara and Tommie’s place to meet Mara’s cousins from Sicily, Laura and beau Sebastiano.
They enrolled us into an afternoon at The Met (for the ‘American Woman’ gown/costume exhibit. HEY MISS ROSS! and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at The Balcony Bar).
Then, I serenaded the troops with one of our talented NYC musicians.
From there, a quick drink at Vig 27 before a hearty meal of barbecue at Blue Smoke;
and karaoke spot, anyone?
(Mara’s buddy David Puente joined us) – all before heading back up to Harlem for a night cap. FUN IN NYC!
Morningside Park is the backdrop for Uptown Sundae Sermon: Harlem NYC. DJ Louie Vega + DJ Kevin Hedge +THE MINISTER: DJ Stormin' Norman played soulful house music, classics + afrobeats and we all danced under the sun - including my Bevy Smith;
Michaela angela Davis (whose beau is Stormin' Norman); and my Jackie Williams.
Did you see Walter Hawkins’ funeral? Quite the tear-jerker, but ever-the-TESTIMONIAL of LOVE, LIFE, and LEGACY! 
Donnie McClurkin sang “You just STAND!!!” He is scheduled to perform for next week’s San Diego NABJ Convention Opening which I am co-producing with Michael K. Watts. Dr. Oz, Rene Syler, and others are also presenting. LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Also, recently saw my fav comic, the legendary Joan Rivers’ documentary “Piece of Work” – another TESTIMONIAL of LOVE, LIFE, LEGACY, LAUGHTER, and LIGHT! It’s AWESOME – as is Joan, who I met a couple of months ago.
Via TV, I stumbled onto Chaka Khan, guest on Mo’Nique. While watching, I peep BET’s SOS: Saving Ourselves PSA which uses excerpts from interviews I conducted with Common, Gloria Estefan, and Spike Lee at the network’s Haiti.
Recently caught TV ONE's "Life After" (Janet Hubert & Ruben Studdard). I LOVE this bio format ("Unsung", too!). I'd like the chance to weigh-in on these types of shows with my on-camera pop culture analysis. Too, would be cool to field/story produce on similar installments as well. JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE! Gotta land some AUGUST work!
Ant and I did a recent quick trip to Philly for buddy Caleb's birthday set at Lucky Strike. My other BFF Brian came.
And Kim and Monica - a couple of our creative partners on the pilot project - popped by as well. I hoped to see my homegirl from Savannah, Krysten, but we've committed to see each other the next time.
Made it to 4th Annual Harlem International Street Fair as thrown by George Faison and our friends at the Faison Firehouse. So good to see my friends Dwayne, Charles, Chad, Carl, et al. Marva Hicks wrapped the day up with a fabulous rendition of “Home” from “The Wiz” – the 1975, Tony-award-winning musical for which George Faison was the first African American to snag a Tony for choreography – some history he recently dropped on BET’s airwaves when I interviewed him for BET’s Black History Month campaign 2010 (on which I conducted interviews and field produced).
Afterwards, we stumbled into our friend Hal. 
Then, we got to spend some quality time with Carl, jewelry designer Trevor, and others at Covo Trattoria – Harlem’s own Italian restaurant. 
Also dining in: Tamara Tunie and husband Gregory Generet, who will be performing a jazz set at the Metropolitan Ballroom next Thursday.
We finally got Tamra Davis’ film “Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child” in. It’s playing at The Film Forum. Afterwards, we enjoyed a post-movie cocktail and an appetizer or two at 10Downing Restaurant in The Village. 
In addition to our usual suspects, I was an audience with entertainment attorney Louise West and Barbara J. Harris, current Weichert realtor and former director of artist relations and special markets for Atlantic Records and ABC Records. Her clients included Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, and Donny Hathaway (about whom she reflects in TV One’s Donny-installment of “Unsung”).
As I close this blog entry, I am managing more NABJ preps (including a call from Disney – asking me to participate in their NABJ event and this-just-in panelist for the NABJ A&E Task Force’s “In Living Color: Our Hollywood” panel, Actor LaVan Davis, “Tyler Perry’s House of Pain”, now joining ET’s Kevin Frazier and others on one of our NABJ A&E Task Force panels. And was that a THIS JUST IN that just came in from Interscope Records? EL DEBARGE may still pop by? EXCITING!).
I came up for air long enough to ask: “WHAT WILL I WEAR?” Not an economy in which I’m shopping much, I called my friend R. Scott French who is the signature couturier for the new Richard Harris line and my favorite American Chang.
He is dressing me in their Fall pre-view line. Thanks, Sara! Additionally, my MOSHOOD – who is celebrating 16 years of success – insisted I continue to include his special pieces in my wardrobe for NABJ. And so it will be. I LOVE MOSHOOD!
So, why has “Donald J. Trump Presents the Ultimate Merger” caught my eye? Twelve bachelors vie for the affections of Apprentice star Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth.
She dated two of them before: Charles, a foreign currency trader, and Al B. Sure!, — an R&B singer people of a certain age remember.
See you when I get back from San Diego!
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in "Life After", Jean-Michel Basquiat, Joan Rivers, NABJ, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, San Diego, TV One, TYLER PERRY, The Young & The Restless
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“…EASY, BREEZY, GEORGE AND WEEZY!!!!”
EASY, BREEZY, GEORGE AND WEEZY!!!!”
I’m sad to see “Ugly Betty” go in five more episodes, but Willy aka Wilhelmina aka Wanda helped me put it in perspective as she aimed to display her street credibility to an old boyfriend (Brian Stokes Mitchell) who knew her when she was just a regular girl. She assured him she was ‘…easy, breezy, George and Weezy!!!!’ – one of the last gut-wrenching laughs Ant and I will have from one of our favorite little shows.
MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY
That said, Miss Ross is hitting the road again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaZOKEDuNd8
And you know Ant & I will be there.
She’ll return to her home away from home, the stage, this summer with a 17-city U-S tour titled “MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY”. 
When last she toured in 2007, Ant and I saw her several times between New York City and New Jersey.
Then, in 2008, she headlined DIVAS WITH HEART.
She closed out a charitable night featuring fellow DIVAS Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan.
As many of us fans are excited about a new album, clearly we’re not moping about in the meantime because MISS ROSS LIVE is magical.
So, greatest hits will do… and we hear she will be pulling out all the stops with breathtaking costumes and stage designs, along with a live string and horn section. The must see show kicks off in Boston, MA on May 15th, the tour runs thru June 12th.
I know I will see her at RADIO CITY on May 19th… and I may pop back down to Red Bank, NJ or Atlantic City to check her out as well. 
As her bio reminds us, Diana Ross has had a profound influence on American popular culture and has become an icon in the entertainment industry.
She is an Academy Award nominated actress for her unforgettable role as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings The Blues, a Tony and Golden Globe winner, a bestselling author, winner of 8 American Music Awards and a recipient of The Kennedy Center Honors.
Her reputation as a woman of great style and beauty has put her on the covers of hundreds of magazines.
Ms. Ross has sold over 100 million records and recorded 18 #1 hits. Her music became the sound of young America in the ‘60s soon after she signed with Motown Records in 1961 with The Supremes.
She embarked on her extraordinary solo career in 1970, and has not stopped since. Diana Ross sings the soundtrack of our lives, a true music legend. 
To get breaking news, latest tour information and exclusive content, become a fan of Diana Ross’ official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/dianaross).
ALMIGHTY RECORDS: WE LOVE DIANA ROSS
Though not a new album, it feels fresh. “WE LOVE DIANA ROSS” by Almighty Records is the new digital album featuring brand new remixes of ALL THINGS DANCEABLE… and DIANA! This project has been five years in the making. It was originally planned to be released by Universal. But now, it’s available on-line (http://www.almightyrecords.com/product/ALMYDD071/).
This digital collection is overflowing with exclusives, such as the brand new mixes of ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, 'Love Hangover' and ‘The Boss’, plus first time airings of ‘Remember Me’, ‘Reach Out And Touch’ and ‘I’m Still Waiting’, plus the sensational Almighty 'In The Mix' which includes classic titles: Love Hangover; Upside Down; I'm Coming Out; I'm Still Waiting; Ain't No Mountain High Enough; The Boss; Remember Me; I Thought It Took A Little Time; No-One Gets The Prize; Reach Out And Touch; Touch Me In The Morning; Lovin', Livin' And Givin.
DREAMGIRLS: SOMEDAY WE’LL BE TOGETHER
Meanwhile, YOU HEARD?
The original Dreamgirls - Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine, and Jennifer Holliday were in attendance at the L.A. premiere of the staged musical 'Dreamgirls' road tour that launched here in NYC at The Apollo. I hear they had their own special moment during the finale song. Jennifer Holliday reportedly reached out and grabbed the hands of Sheryl and Loretta... and it was one more moment for Deena, Lorrell, and Effie - 29 years later! DREAMGIRLS LIVES! I LIVE! WE ALL LIVE!
CAN WE TALK????????
I co-hosted a pilot "tvQ" a few years back. It was a 'queer eye' meets 'the view'. It had lots of promise and got lots of press, but after a year of being retained, we didn't get picked up. 
But it gave me the chance to meet Michael Musto who was one of the co-hosts along w/Simon Doonan and others (Go 9:00 in on this link for an excerpt: http://216.117.188.141/PRiley/PatrickGeneralReel.wmv and I wrote something about it in a blog entry a couple of years ago: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/8/5/a-black-person.html).
Well, my favorite Joan Rivers hosted a FAB fete at the 230 Fifth Avenue penthouse to toast Michael's 25 years at 'The Village Voice".
Ant, Nichole, Aleeka, and I had a ball.
We ran into RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Sahara (in blue); Robert Verdi;
“RESPECT THE JUX”
Marketing strategist & guru Jacquie Lee invited Ant and me to Phillipe Chow to meet her client, author Frank Matthews. His upcoming Simon & Schuster release is titled "Respect The Jux".
This, after meeting a couple of new Aussie friends at Coppersmith's - Sue & Steve - for an aperitif. Stay tuned for more on Frank as his book readies for the marketplace.
PRECIOUS: A DISCUSSION OF HOLLYWOOD’S IMAGE OF THE BLACK WOMAN
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists invited me to sit on its "Monitoring Hollywood II - Precious: A Discussion on Hollywood's Image of The Black Woman" panel.
It included moderator Patty Jackson; filmmaker Rel Dowdell;
radio diva Golden Girl; columnist Annette John-Hall; 'Minority Reporter' Khalid Patterson; 
and fashion/beauty journalist (and my friend) Cheryl Wadlington. 
I also got to see my L.A. buddy-by-way-of-Philly Anthony Henderson. Happy to call him new friend (Mr. Jason too!).
We had lots of great times during my L.A. stint.
Also, it was great to see so many of my NABJ sisters - including Amy Simmons.
At about 5:43, you can see an excerpt of my commentary on the panel: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=106339826059527&ref=nf I LOVE PHILLY!
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK
Ant and I saw Sweet Honey In The Rock this evening at The Met. Awesome show.
Afterwards, Ant and I ran into the great KiKi Shepard.
You should remember her from “Showtime Returns To The Apollo”.
It was good to see her again as I got to hang out with her at her Sickle Cell bowling benefit in L.A. where my friends Scott and Tony took me one night.
She is a friend – dating back to their Howard University time – of group member Carol Maillar.
KiKi talked Marcia, Ant, and me into going to Carol’s birthday party at Harlem's MOJO (www.mojo-harlem.com). 
And what a hoot she was - putting Ant up for judging as if at The Apollo.
I got the chance to interview Carol when I was producing the BET Black History Month campaign.
She said some wonderful things during our sit-down chat.
Its owner Mounir Jabrane proved ever the host. You may recognize him from an American Express commercial with Epatha Merkerson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b2_hNNVe88).
And also in the house: Also in the house: My Marcia Pendelton. And my own Ki-Ki, Jackie Williams who is looking sexy and slinky these days. She's in production and featured as an actor in a commercial for a tooth pain product.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OWEN ANGELO
My Godson Owen Angelo's birthday party was SO MUCH FUN!
And he had a BLAST! Ant & I enjoyed spending time with him, his parents - our friends Owen & Sandy, and their friends & family!
And I karaoke'd all night long! LOL! Happy Birthday, Owen Angelo!!!!
“… AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…”
Ant, Ern, & I attended a couple of Oscar viewing parties (Brooklyn & Harlem). 
Word had it LA ROSS was gonna appear on the show, which would have been a welcome return given her many appearances on the Academy Awards. BEFORE B (or HALLE B), THERE WAS D... 
and after her nomination for Best Actress in "Lady Sings The Blues" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFstpIKW7A4), she became quite the Oscar darling - from her "Theme From Mahogany ('Do You Know...')" performance via satellite from Amsterdam a couple of years later.
Then, co-hosting and presenting in '78 and '79 to performing several more times in the '80s and '90s (even co-hosting in '85, the year that she sang Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called To Say I Love You" from "The Woman In Red"). Some selects that are currently on YOU TUBE - including this one where Ross reflects on that heavy and exhilarating time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YA22pXIf1I):
1980/MJ & DR -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORPmEg4MYeI
1982/DIANA ROSS & LIONEL RICHIE on their OSCAR NOM'd "ENDLESS LOVE" -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewf0TnM4eKo
1985/SINGING STEVIE'S OSCAR NOM'd "I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_aUPf-Rdk0
1992/SINGING "OVER THE RAINBOW" – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N69rO3fRitc
Well, it turns out Miss Ross wasn’t in the Oscar house after all.
But that didn’t stop the party. Ant, Ern, and I did two sets: Jacque Reid's intimate set at Rustik in Brooklyn featured karaoke during commercials
(I serenaded the room with Maxwell's "This Woman's Work", dedicating it to Jacque and Mo'Nique who'd just ...snagged her prize in the previous segment).
After my performance, the fellas and I high-tailed it to Harlem for an Oscar party hosted by our best girlfriend Mara Schiavocampo and our best girlfriend's hubby Tommie.
“INDEPENDENT SOURCES”
For those of you who don't have CUNY-TV, here's a link of "Independent Sources" on which I am featured in a Johnson Publishing profile (EBONY/JET money woes).
The piece starts at 2:33 and I am excerpted a couple of times between 4:08 & 5:28. This, before it was reported that Ebony Fashion Fair will continue its hiatus (citing the recent death of its founder Eunice Johnson Rice). http://www.cuny.tv/series/sources/listen.lasso?-database=CUNYPROG&-response=detail2.lasso&-table=webprogdetail2&-sortField=TapeDate&-sortOrder=descending&-op=eq&SeriesTitle=Independent%20Sources&-op=neq&Real_av=%3d%3d&-op=lte&TapeDate=12%2f31%2f2010&-op=gte&TapeDate=1%2f1%2f2010&-maxRecords=1&-skipRecords=1&-search
IT’S THE WEEKEND, BABY!!!!!
Ant and I just had a lovely weekend of connection and rejuvenation – in part because it was his pay day and furthermore because a long-standing check from services already rendered FINALLY came, all of this despite the rain.
From a Friday night tasting hosted by Ant’s friend Nova ("Saucy Solutions by Nova") - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saucy-Solutions/272235603144?v=info. And what a tasty inventory – from hot to mild to sweet AND savory, Nova offered up cheesy dips; 
succulent BBQ sauces; and other special recipes including Bad Girl Bolognese and Fabulous Formaggio. Check her out. Afterwards, Ant and I went to have a light meal at Heartland Brewery with Manivone. 
This, before going to Club 57 to see Kelis perform: http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=k-K_bKQtUsI&feature=player_ embedded#. We also hung out in Brookllyn and did a round of lite bites from Red Hook/Brooklyn's Sugar Lounge along with more karaoke at One 7 in Chelsea.
“JUST MY IMAGINATION” – A REALITY WITH LACHANZE & GREG GENERET
Ant & I honored our girlfriend LaChanze and friend Gregory Generet's invite to see them perform at Joe's Pub (SOLD OUT). It was a GREAT show that highlighted these two stellar vocalists’ chemistry when sharing a stage.
Dear friend LaChanze walked her six-inch Valentino pumps off the stage and up to me to sing.
Yes, she did hand me that microphone for the chorus of The Temptations' "Just My Imagination".
I got a roar of approval from the sold-out audience - including Greg's wife Tamara Tunie (HAPPY BDAY!);
Star Jones; Lynn Whitfield; 'The Wiz' Tony-award-winning legend George Faison; and a host of others.
Several of the folks joined LaChanze's sister Michelle, Ant, and I at Indochine for an after set.
And we always have such a good time. 
This time was no exception.
The set list was as follows:
“It Takes Two” – duet
“One Less Bell To Answer” – LaChanze
“Nature Boy” – Greg
“Once I Fall in Love” – Greg
“Route 66” – duet
“To Sir With Love” – LaChanze
“Happy birthday” – duet
“Imagination” – Greg
“Just My Imagination” – duet*
“All of Me” – duet
Encore: BLUES FINALE – duet
LaChanze excited me with the news she’d be returning to her role as Aunt Em and Glenda The Good Witch in the soon-Broadway-run of “The Wiz”.
Since I was in L.A. and missed the short run of it last summer, I am EXCITED to see the show again. 
By the way, check out LaChanze’s new children’s book “Little Diva” which will soon have a companion video with the title song that LaChanze penned. 
Stay tuned…
… AND SPRING FORWARD!
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in "Ugly Betty", DIANA ROSS, DREAMGIRLS, Joan Rivers, Lachanze, Oscar, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Precious, Sweet Honey In The Rock
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