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 Ladies Who Lunch and Love (1)
working overtime sessions
more hosting
I'm on my freelance hustle out here! LOL! Just wrapped hosting a 2nd season of WELLS FARGO's MONEY MINUTE - first installments of which are out this week:
teaser:
http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute
part 1:
http://www.advocate.com/.../9/24/purchasing-home-jason-shane
part 2:
http://www.advocate.com/.../planning-retirement-jason-shane
Please share with your PEEPS: #advocatemoneyminute And as always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! XOXOXO
The Porters
Happy 10th Anniversary, to two-time Emmy-award-winning, GMA Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo and her husband Tommie Porter!
Happy to host their vow renewal! 
We LOVE YOU! Thanks Reverend Al Sharpton for re-sealing the deal! Great to see him after interviewing him at Miss Aretha Franklin's birthday party earlier this year:
...
and after Executive Producing him for this year's iconic, PSA campaign for NBCU: "The More You Know" 2015-16. He spoke of DIVERSITY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNoWX-dO9aM
. 
And the ENVIRONMENT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNSNKutJ7Rs
. 
And special shout out to contemporary fine artist Shenna Vaughn who Ant and I commissioned to create a 10-year anniversary piece for Mara and Tommie!
It IS stunning! Shenna is described as “a vessel for enlightenment, virtue, creativity and color”. She uses her gift as an artist to evoke the raw essence of inner beauty, otherwise not seen until now. 
Her paintings range from customized gratitude pieces to original works of art. Her work has been featured In Chelsea, Miami Art Basel and Internationally just to name a few…
and she will be showing at “Billie’s Black” in December during “Billie’s Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley”. #ENDLESSLOVE #ThePorters #ENDLESSLOVE #ThePorters
Happy Birthday, Nephew
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Herman Lee Riley III aka NOOT (to me)! BEST NEPHEW EVER! 
Great to celebrate with Savannah homegirl Aquilla and her childhood friends as my childhood BFF Ernest Maynor was also in the house – toasting 27 YEARS of Herman Lee Riley III.
Also, a HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY to my brother – and HLRIII’s father – Herman L. Riley Jr.
Ladies Who Lunch And Love
Excited to introduce my friend Nathan Hale Williams at the New York City book party for his new novel "Ladies Who Lunch & Love". What a great room: Bevy Smith, La Rivers, Beverly Johnson, Flo Anthony, and so many more!
Also, Miss Miko Branch from Miss Jessie's was in the house. Miko partners with Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul. Season 4 to be announced soon for a late October return… STAY TUNED! Meanwhile, check out “Ladies Who Lunch & Love”.
The novel is a hoot and gives "Sex & The City" with some #blackish and #girlfriends to boot!
It's an exciting trip through the fabulous lives of 5 friends in New York City. Get the book exclusively on www.Amazon.com: http://tinyurl.com/oefd4kn.
YOU MUST BUY IT! Oh! AND AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR SUPPORTING US ALL! CONGRATS,Nathan! #harlemskinlaserclinic #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #mikobranch #LadiesWhoLunchAndLove #AngelofHarlemNY #HarlemSkinClinic #NathanHWilliams #LadiesLunchLove
Beverly Johnson
Great to attend Beverly Johnson’s book launch party for her memoir 'The Face That Changed iIt All' at The Museum of the City of New York. 
Many friends – old and new – were in the house, including “The Original Dreamgirl” Sheryl Lee Ralph and BFF Ern’s and my dance diva CeCe Peniston for whom we’ve LIVED since she came out!
Plus, I was excited to hang out with Co-Founder of MISS JESSIE'S, Miko Branch as I'm doing some consulting work with the brand in addition to Miss Jessie's being one of my sponsors for “Billie’s Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley”: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2015/3/20/ask-patrick.html.
Co-Founder Miko Branch was my EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR for#NABJ40 where she spoke on an AUTHOR's panel with PAULA MADISON and LUTHER CAMPBELL.
Next up: Miko’s just back from DC at the Congressional Black Caucus and then was a Marshal in Harlem’s African-American Day Parade. GREAT to see everybody as SUMMER 2015 transitions into FALL 2015 with Fashion Week unfolding… XO #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack
#WhereAreTheyNow
She is LISA PRICE. Born in BROOKLYN. Made with LOVE. She is CAROL'S DAUGHTER! I can't say more than that today, but it was nice to interview her. Will tell you when you can see it in 2016! #BornAndMade 
Have something coming up with “The Chew”s Carla Hall as well. Also, IMAN! MEANWHILE, more of my assignments in the new season of “Oprah, Where Are They Now?” are beginning to air – including Debi Mazar: http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/the-actress-who-started-out-as-a-makeup-artist-to-the-stars/. 
#WhereAreTheyNow
STUDIO 54
FUN to host Duane Gazi-White's Epic 50th Bday Party – a “RETURN TO STUDIO 54” starring DISCO DIVAS Carol Douglas; Taana Gardner; Norma Jean Wright and the Former Ladies of Chic; 
Sylvester doppelganger Clayton Bryant (with whom I even got the chance to sing in 2009 when I was asked to perform THE BOSS for its composers! And I looked to CLAYTON for all the high notes! LOL! And I can sing high! LMAO! );
Mel’lisa Morgan; Former Ladies of Skyy; and MISS KATHY SLEDGE! 
Shout out again to Musa Jackson Productions for booking me…and I’m too excited my Itika Oldwine was in town to enjoy! 
All the ladies must join us at Billie’s Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley when we return at the end of October! CHEERS, DUANE! P.S. A MESSAGE FROM MUSA JACKSON PRODUCTIONS: it was a journey beyond Epic!
Super agent Duane and his husband Rashgene Gazi-White along with artist extraordinaire Mira Gandy with our combined creative genius took MIST Harlem and transformed it back to the era of the most legendary and exclusive nightclub in History.
Complete with back door VIP entrance, silver carpet and over the top open bar super sexy decadent disco fun! We had legends upon legends Kathy Sledge, Norma Jean Wright, Tania Gardner, Clayton Bryant, Meli'sa Morgan and the Ladies of Skyy performing some of their iconic hits on a first ever 3 stages with DJ Sir Charles Dixon ( WBLS master mixer) and DJ Magic Myke accompanied by the original videos playing on 3 screens.
Hosted by Patrick L. Riley with 6 amazing hot male dancers/servers 2 gorgeous bartenders provided by hot choreographer Manwe Sauls Addison with door hosts Coco De'ball and legendary publicist Irene Gandy and hunk Daniel. Silver carpet Studio 54 photos courtesy of Will Will Vaultz and legendary lensman Ronnie Wright and Waddie G. with indoor photos from Rowena M Husbands and Sheila Ennisattended by 250 beautiful artists, fashionistas, supermodels, celebs and fabulous guests.
It was a Harlem night for the record books. Thank you MOËT and Lennard Jackson for the champagne and Louis Johnson/ Harlem Haberdashery and designer Masahiro Saga for the gorgeous jacket and slippers. David Chevreux of Gin Fizz, Justin Walters of Real Life Studio, Alex Lerner and Bena. Cliff Cooper on security and Rachel, Sam, Anthony Harper and the staff of MIST.
Thank you again and a Happiest of birthdays to Duane for choosing MJP to help bring your birthday fantasy to life.
*Make your birthday dream an epic fantasy with musajacksonproductions@gmail.com.
#allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #motownmay
LEON
Ant’s sister Sabrina, who I met the night I met him in December 2005, was in town with client Leon & The Peoples. 
So, in addition to an awesome dinner at MIST Harlem where Ant works, we all – with GWAN’s Charon Richardson and Sabrina’s bio brother Jason in tow – enjoyed the awesome band at La Marina for “Reggae on the Beach”.
Then, after Ant and I enjoyed the PA-based wedding of dear friends Robin Stone and Rodney Pope...
we got an encore presentation from Leon & The Peoples at an awesome, Trenton-based “prostate cancer awareness fundraiser”!
GREAT CAUSE! #nyc #nyfw #reggae #soul #music #inwood #hudsonriver
STILL THE BOSS
MISS ROSS was at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) LAST NIGHT! 
At the top of the day, it was SOLD OUT! I was despondent that I hadn’t secured my ticket before time. Was hoping for a hook-up or a sponsor. Still, I went to SEE if MISS ROSS had room for one more in the house! 
And upon my arrival, one of her FANS did: an orchestra seat right by the sound-board and near my friends Karu Daniels, Audrey Bernard, Phil Geston, Stanley Hopkins, and a FULL HOUSE MORE! 
The show was familiar but she did introduce a new gown that she’d only worn in her Hawaii stop this past summer. “It’s My House” was a highlight and it is clear that MISS ROSS was in control. 
But as she sang “Don’t Explain”, she did confess vulnerably and jokingly: “…I can’t stop thinking about that Billy Dee Williams!” The audience exploded with applause.
MISS ROSS did it again: EXCELLENT SHOW! LOVE ME SOME MISS ROSS! 
As you all know, I was hired as Opening Night Host of “Motown the Musical” – another chance to interview Diana Ross, a video that ran on the Lunt Fontanne Theatre for the hit show’s full run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ.
(Was also a DREAM to interview MISS ROSS for Oprah at the Legends Ball in 2005: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGFgjJ7u1hk). They all got me ready for my latest get with MISS ARETHA FRANKLIN. Here’s my recap: www.nbcnews.to/1HFEc48.
Nice Tits
My editor friend Shaun Edwards introduced me to Amy Marcs who recently wrote a one-woman show aptly titled "Nice T!ts" which is about her experience with breast cancer and undergoing a double mastectomy.
She performed it last year to a sold out crowd at The Peoples Improv Theater. Now, she is excited to announce that, beginning October 8th in conjunction with breast cancer awareness month, The Rack is Back....
Nice T!ts
Thursday October 8th 8pm
Sunday October 11th 4pm
Sunday October 25th 4pm
Thursday October 29th 8pm
to buy tickets www.thepit-nyc.com/event/nice-tts-5
#NiceTits #TheRackisBack
CHARLES PERRY
Thanks to my girlfriend Paula Witt, PR at Sunshine Sachs, for inviting us out to hear her client Charles Perry at Quad Studios. 
Here is a little snippet of him performing a song with none other than Jeff Goldblum! He certainly has the theatrics and the voice like ME! We MUST get him to ALL STAR KARAOKE to jam with us at BILLIE’S BLACK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59AAfRz0yZ0.
MARCIA PENDELTON
My dear sister friend Marcia Pendelton's Walk Tall Girl Productions Celebrated 15 Years of Bringing the Best in Performing Arts to NYC.
For 15 years, Marcia Pendelton has been guiding audiences to the best in theater and other performing arts across New York City. Her work was feted last night.
The event included performances by Classical Theatre of Harlem, Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, Darius Crenshaw, Tony nominee André De Shields (The Wiz, The Full Monty), Eden Duncan-Smith (Fences, The Lion King), 
Marva Hicks (Motown The Musical), Ebony JoAnn (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre, Sounds of Praise of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Jamal Story (Motown the Musical, The Color Purple [2005]) Rema Webb (The Lion King, Violet, The Book of Mormon, The Color Purple[2015]). For more information and reservations visitwww.walktallgirlproductions.com.
ALL STAR KARAOKE is BACK
We will be singing MISS ROSS and MISS FRANKLIN at BILLIE’S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY for this FALL 2015 SERIES
– starting at the end of October: October 27, 2015 from 7p-10p (and going through to Tuesday, December 29, 2015)!
WE THANK HIM and all of you who continue to be such a support for our little night that could and IS! Would LOVE TO SEE YOU some Tuesday - really soon! #BILLIESBLACK #ALLSTARKARAOKE #MOTOWNMAY #missjessiesbook #iammissjessies #Legacy of #TitiBranch 
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in All Star Karaoke, Beverly Johnson, DIANA ROSS, FASHION WEEK, Ladies Who Lunch and Love, Las Vegas, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Studio 54, Venetian
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