A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Arise 360

HI FOLKS! Swan song show for my week of guest co-hosting on ARISE 360 with Lola Ogunnaike (filling in for Shannon Lanier): http://www.arise.tv/entertainment/arise-360-05-12-9618. It included "Annie" Executive Producer Devon Franklin, whose book "Produced by Faith" is one of my favorites. Also, Chef Gabe Thompson presented "Downtown Italian". Yum! And did I mention that DJ D NICE popped by? Such an awesome hip hop legend, DJ supreme, and renowned photographer. SHOUT OUT TO Arise Entertainment 360 - primarily Lola Ogunnaike with whom I got to be a guest co-host – filling in for my friend Shannon Lanier who is away on special assignment. Earlier in the week, we interviewed BRAVO’s Fashion Queens– including my friend Bevy Smith and Miss Lawrence and Derek J: http://youtu.be/hb6gUFK3vsc. LOVE Bevy Smith!!! Also, culled from my childhood, “THE DUKES OF HAZZARD” themselves: John Schneider (now on Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots) and Tom Wopat (who I mostrecently saw in “The Trip to Bountiful” on Broadway): http://youtu.be/22GqEbrF1OU. They’ve recorded a HOLIDAY ALBUM! And mega-producer Sean Garrett brought Avery Wilson (former The Voice contestant) to hip us to his upcoming album and to sing Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”: http://youtu.be/TUfq35qKJV4. Plus, we had an Ashley Stewart fashion show! WHEW (because you know we had more than our share of hot topics): http://youtu.be/OsB8Kf2p7ow! FROM EARLIER THIS WEEK: SHOW #2 is here: http://www.arise.tv/entertainment/arise-360-03-12-9579 - including interviews with actors Tony Denison (http://youtu.be/iIkAm7XmEgc). Also, Christian Kale (http://youtu.be/NFY4gpMivxw). Plus, my highlight: Alan Light whose “Let’s Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple Rain” made for blissful chat (http://youtu.be/TKDXudN2yC0). SHOW #1 from my guest co-host stint on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 is here – featuring interviews with Ben Vereen! Yes, THE Ben Vereen! (http://youtu.be/a12El8-zU_k)! ALSO: Faith Evans (http://youtu.be/LfpHpiQd2pg):http://www.arise.tv/entertainment/arise-360-02-12-9562. AND MORE! HOLIDAY DECORATING TIPS: http://youtu.be/zDI7_qZqOTU; and MORE HOLIDAY FASHON: http://youtu.be/YrlE0C4nPQg. FULL EPISODE of Show #3 is here: http://www.arise.tv/entertainment/arise-360-04-12-9595. As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Watch Daily On Time Warner, Verizon Fios, Centric and On Demand... www.YouTube.com/AriseENT360 + you can watch it streaming live on www.arise.tv at 3p/eastern everyday – whether I’m there or not.  #ARISE360 #hiphopchangedus #devotion #endlesslove #popcultureandpossibilities #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #CentricTV

Thinspired

I’ve already congratulated my internet wife, Mara Schiavocampo on her upcoming book “THINspired”, due December 30^th… but you can pre-order on Amazon NOW: http://www.amazon.com/Thinspired-Pounds-Lasting-Weight-Self-Acceptance/dp/1476784051/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417643482&sr=8-1&keywords=thinspired. She came by “Billie’s Black Presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley” once to talk about it (and sing a little): http://youtu.be/JTZt5efrf4c. On this upcoming Tuesday, ALL STAR KARAOKE toasts Mara on this awesome milestone in her life and career. We’ll give some books away to those who participate in our round-robin of fun singing… and she’ll have some copies of the latest edition of ESSENCE inside of which there’s an EXCLUSIVE excerpt from her book. Also, you'll find some FABULOUS PICTURES of Mara through the years - http://bit.ly/ask_mara #THINspired

All Star Karaoke COUNTDOWN

TWO TUESDAYS TO GO on our Fall 2014 Series of Billie’s Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley (though my ALL STAR KARAOKE producer Bernice will be holding down 12/23 and 12/30 for those still in town and in the mood for some Holiday CAROL-ing on Tuesday night!!!!). Come January, ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley goes on hiatus (looking to APRIL to re-launch). But my girlfriend MIKA deHarlem will be hosting a fun karaoke experience on Tuesday’s – starting in mid-January. Look out for that… and CONGRATS, MIKA! WE LOVE YOU… and will come out and sing with you too! BUT my FINAL BLOW-OUT will be Tuesday, December 16th (and – yes – we’ll be in the house December 9th as well with Mara Schiavocampo from Good Morning America). MEANWHILE, to recap LAST TUESDAY: I was barely over the high of interviewing Broadway royalty: the TONY-AWARD-WINNING actor Ben Vereen on guest-co-host duty at recurring client ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 - http://www.arise.tv/entertainment/arise-360-02-12-9562. AND THEN another LEGENDARY TONY AWARD WINNER decided to grace us: MR. GEORGE FAISON who won the Tony for choreographing the THE WIZ on Broadway... and over my years in New York, he has become a friend. TOTAL HONOR! George let everybody know about the classic "Ain't Misbehavin'" (The Fats Waller Musical Show) that is running at his wonderful Faison Firehouse throughout December (For tickets and information, call Smart Tix at 212.868.4444 or log on to www.SmartTix.com). The shows run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The house was filled with a round robin of our ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULS and goodies from our sponsors Riley Land Gourmet Pantry - on board with us since the beginning; and our Fall 2014 Series title sponsor at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul: Miss Jessie's which always brings such enthusiasm from our ALL STAR KARAOKE audience. THANK YOU, MIKO and MISS JESSIE'S! WE LOVE YOU!
 SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to: NEW ALL STAR Phillip Evelyn II who stars in a film that Ant and I stumbled into on Net Flix: “Leave it on the Floor” and my Morehouse (little) brother Tony Moultry who hipped us all to his Chicer Collegiate clothing line: http://www.chicerc.com/.  We’ll be back next Tuesday at 7p for "Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley". WITH TWO MORE TO GO, we want to have the chance to SEE and HEAR you all before the year is up! As always, THANKS TO MY TEAM: Derrick Hemphill and Bernice Wooden as well as my partner Anthony Harper, who came up with the concept for ALL STAR KARAOKE and is always in the cut to support our little night that DOES (AND THEN SOME! LOL!). AND THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. #ARISE360 #hiphopchangedus #devotion #endlesslove #popcultureandpossibilities #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #CentricTV #‎THINspired ‪#‎Dec30

   

 ALL STAR KARAOKE

Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley is back! FALL 2014 SERIES kicked off with MULTI-EMMY-AWARD-winning Mara Schiavocampo (who chose our night as after-set for her New York Women in Communications honor - her beautiful parents and husband Tommie Porter in tow) + so many greats - including our ELLA MOORE - child of NABJ fam/New York Times reporter Nikita Stewart and new stepdad Brian Henderson - my NABJ little brother and dear friend. My biggest GIFT OF ALL: my FIRST COUSIN Gloria Arivnger! TOTAL SURPRISE! TOTAL JOY! http://bit.ly/mschia_ask - #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack p.s. AND AS ALWAYS, a shout out to sponsor Joseph Riley Land/ Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry... and all who came out: Jamar Dunn, MAKEUP by MERRELL, Merrell Hollis, Rick Grant, G'wan by Charon Richardson, and Ashley Fettig who is doing boot camp workouts for another of tonight’s guests, Plus-size Princess‘s own Cece Olisa who I had the chance to produce in a “Wendy Williams” segment earlier this year:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgCMC_6UjAA). AND A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to my ALL STAR KARAOKE team – including producer Bernice Wooden and consultant Derrick Hemphill. And ERIC on sound! #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #PSPfit bootcamp

G’wan by Charon

On the night before karaoke, it was great to hang out with my friend Charon Richardson who is a fashion designer responsible for the brand G'wan by Charon: http://youtu.be/zpAdE8KtYPs.  Her Google Hangout is FABOO – produced to enlighten and inspire women to live their lives in a FABOO realm while creating a fun and informative space filled with laughs, entertainment and motivation. Last night’s weekly installment featured my girl Tonya Giddens (https://www.facebook.com/MsFullFiguredHBCUPageant) and me – promoting the Fall launch of Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley (https://www.facebook.com/events/1520785818162290/) - produced this Fall by Charon’s producer, Bernice Wooden! THANKS BERNICE! YOU’RE THE BEST! And a SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to fashion producer/consultant Deshawn D Colbert whose hospitality was just what the doctor and the “hungry guests” ordered! LOL! CHARON ROCKS! The hour flew by – and will, even when you play it back: http://youtu.be/zpAdE8KtYPs. AS always… THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #Harlem #GwanSYL #Fashion #TV #Producer #Host #Model #beautyQueen #HBCU #MissFFHBCU #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

NYC CULTURE

SUNDAY didn’t get TELEVISED or PHOTOGRAPHED… but it was a REVOLUTION (of sorts). Shout out to Marcia Pendelton for inviting Ant and me out to the new play at the PUBLIC by Pulitzer-prize winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks: FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS: PARTS 1, 2, & 3: https://www.facebook.com/publictheater. Ant’s and my fav couple du jour Brian and Nikita (Stewart) Henderson joined us – providing a pre-game of waffles, extra crispy bacon, crawfish grits, scrambled eggs, and a bunch of stuff that made you go YUM at their lovely home. Was also GREAT to see Lola Ogunnaike - Co-Host on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 where I get to Guest Co-Host often as well as talk Broadway and pop culture. Look for me in the coming couple of weeks to dish with Lola and co-host Shannon Lanier! Always a blast over there! #ARISE360 From there, Ant and I got to catch up with a couple of our peeps in Brooklyn – namely Dawn Murphy Riley and my favorite designer of all time: MOSHOOD! We joined Brian and Nikita one more time on an invitation from another fab couple - Brad and Lyndsay Christian: an invitation to enjoy TWEET and a host of wonderful R&B singers at SOB for a night that was music to our ears – especially when – in addition to her prepared set - TWEET freestyled through a dozen or more of her hit songs and fan favorites! GREAT SUNDAY!

LOOK AHEAD

And ths week: I wrap two months Executive Producing a special project about which I’ll tell you lots more when it is ready to be seen in 2015-16;

PLEASE DON'T FORGET to check out WELLS FARGO PRESENTS THE NEW ADVOCATE MONEY MINUTE which I host - episodes rolling out through the top of 2015:http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute.

AND BILLIE’S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY will be in the house everyTuesday through the end of the year! For Reservations (RECOMMENDED), please call 212 280 2248 https://www.facebook.com/events/1520785818162290/   #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

 p.s. BONUS SNIPPET - https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152571287798737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater - from Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley – Kl Kane and J'Nara Corbin request PAPARAZZI by Lady Gaga. So, ALL STARs Mara Schiavocampo - Good Morning America's own correspondent, Ella Moore (daughter of Nikita Stewart - my NABJ BFF Brian Henderson's wife), and I deliver accordingly! PLEASE BE SURE TO JOIN US IN HARLEM EVERY TUESDAY from 7p to 10p! We are having a BLAST! - http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/10/29/say-amen.html

 

 

 

NEW SHOWBIZ

Executive Producing a special project would lead me to L.A. We just had a week of work and two days of shoots. (I’ll share more when time for it to be viewed in 2015-16). Awesome project that you'll all get to see Meanwhile, where I go – so does THE LIFE OF RILEY:

NATE PARKER

My Welcome to L.A. hang ended up being hosted by my friend Ikechukwu Waldhaus and friend Nate Parker ("Red Tails", "Great Debaters", and more!). They chose the W Hollywood for our catch up! Nate Parker has some great updates that I'll be sharing soon! CONGRATS, BRO!

DIVAS SIMPLY SINGING

My friend V Scott Hamilton (Sheryl Lee Ralph Ralph's DIVAS SIMPLY SINGING) took me to say HI to Sheryl Lee Ralph at her beautiful home (OMG! No pix but Sheryl Lee Ralph was FIERCE! Lol!). We had lots to catch up on – including – this weekend: DIVAS SIMPLY SINGING.

BETTER BROTHERS

 Scott also hosted a wonderful event with BETTER BROTHERS L.A. – a happy hour at McCormicks w/friends - including Derek Lafayette and Thornell Jones Jr: www.betterbrothersla.com.

ACE HOTEL

My Harpo BFF Itika then scooped me up and took us to Ace Hotel for rooftop music! L.A. is cute (enough)! LOL!

KIKI AND TITI

"Jakki's Back!": Taylor-Richardson that is! My BFF from our days producing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (She currently is Producer at "Queen Latifah" whose stylist Tim Snell joined her! I'm a BIG FAN of him and his work - including 13 years of styling the late, GREAT Whitney Houston).

My top secret L.A. assignment would allow me a hang with she and some uber-special peeps (I took an Uber tonight in L.A.! Cute, right? Lol!).

Shout out to those who schlepped to Culver City/Rush Street Restaurant to see me:

my other Harpo BFF Itika (mktg exec extraordinaire); media exec producer/friend Nicole Childers;

actress/entertainment diva Toni; astrologer Wayne Gonzalez;

and a special shout out to PR friend and Spelman sister Tosha Whitten Griggs who tried to make it but had an alumni event - all good folks and all my peeps! Love you ALL! XO

 AROMA

After late wrap, did impromptu bday set at Aroma Bakery Cafe with old ATL buddy Derrick Lafayette hosted by old NYC buddy Keith Wooten: my industry brother friends! Happy BDAY Dela! L.A. is still poppin'.

OIL CAN HARRY

L.A! Great times! "Oil Can Harry's" gave us 70s/80 's music; karaoke (I did Endless Love); and Harpo besties Lesia Minor and Itika + my Diana BFF Curtis! Plus, my Delandis - Broadway performer and TV host extraordinaire! XO

GOODBYE LA

Dear friend Stacey Antonio capped off my L.A. trip with a great catch-up breakfast. This, before I had to get back to NYC! THANKS L.A. ET AL!

THINSPIRED

Congrats to my internet wife, Mara Schiavocampo. The cover of her upcoming book is done and she is ready to go! I'm very proud of her! #‎THINspired ‪#‎Dec30

LEON & THE PEOPLES

GOOD TIMES at LEON & THE PEOPLES LIVE in HARLEM USA at Red Rooster Harlem! Did LEON hand me that mic during his show? LOL! Anthony Harper's sister Bri Cole is Leon’s publicist and Victor E Lewis is the manager. Sabrina also reps Michael Jai White and Frenchie Davis among others! After Leon's Red Rooster show, we called on nearby Sylvia's Restaurant, the Queen of Soul food, for a later night bite. We were seated next to this one... LOVE ARETHA! Shout out to my boo Sidra Smith for popping by and our hangout buddies du jour Bernice Wooden and Charon Richardson of G'wan by Charon fame! ! #uptownsaturdaynight

THE ZERO DEGREE ZOMBIE ZONE

Great Sunday in Harlem to celebrate my friend Patrik Henry Bass and illustrator Jerry Craft on "The Zero Degree Zombie Zone" Patrik's 1st children's book (ages 8-12) from Scholastic. My girlfriend Robin Stone hosted the well-appointed set in her beautiful brownstone - filled with some of my favorite people - including NABJ sister friends Katti Gray and author of "The End of Fashion", Teri Agins whose new book "Hijacking The Runway: How Celebrities Are Stealing the Spotlight from Fashion Designers" hits stores this month! Always good to connect with my journalism peeps under one roof! Congrats Patrik! #blackboysread #ZeroDegreeZombieZone

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, J’NARA!

Was GREAT to CELEBRATE the FOREVER YOUNG, J’NARA CORBIN at The Celllar – below The Bryant Park Hotel. CHEERS, MY FRIEND! XOXOXO

JEHRIME CHADWICK

Okay, how EXCITED and IMPRESSED was I to be combing through UPTOWN Magazine and page turning to my friend Jehrime Chadwick - actor/model to KEEP WATCHING!

GMC cast this ad VERY WELL! CONGRATS, JEHRIME! KEEP GOING, MY FRIEND!

AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERARY AWARDS

I got the chance to host the Miss Harlem Shake 2014 Contest for Musa Jackson Productions last month. He's asked me now to host the 10th Annual African American Literary Award Show on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Please come join us! I'm EXCITED!

 

 

 

 

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Hope you’ll join us: http://bit.ly/allstar_plr! IT’S "Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke w/Patrick L. Riley" – The FALL 2014 Series! AND we PREMIERE Tuesday, October 28, 2014 (and will run every Tuesday until December 23, 2014).

IN A FEW WORDS, WE OFFER:

Delicious eats.

Fantastic drinks.

Lots of laughs.

Music, music, music.

Cocktail specials weekly.

Good networking and fellowship.

All Star Karaoke has attracted an impressive list to our little night that did… and will again!:

 

1.  Monifah - Recording Artist (R&B Divas-Atlanta)

 

2.  KeKe Wyatt – Recording Artist (R&B Divas-Atlanta)

 

3.  Bevy Smith – BRAVO’s Fashion Queens

 

4.  Sidra Smith  - NAACP Image Award-winning producer (for “Free Angela” documentary)

 

5.  Mara Schiavocampo - GMA correspondent

 

6.  Xosha Roquemore - “The Mindy Project” (FOX)

 

7.   Mica Hughes  - BRAVO’s "Blood, Sweat, & Heels"

 

8.  Gordon Chambers – singer/songwriter

 

9.  Anthony Wayne – Broadway performer (“Pippin’” & “Mighty Sylvester”)

 

10.    Shiba Russell – WNBC Anchor

 

ALL STAR KARAOKE HISTORY:

 

Independent personality/producer/writer Patrick L. Riley hosted ALL-STAR KARAOKE for NATIVE Restaurant from August 2010 to 2012. Our guest singers - on any given night - at ALL-STAR KARAOKE THURSDAY NIGHT included: songstress Tichina Arnold; 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.

TO SEE MORE ON “LIFE OF RILEY”, click here: http://www.youtube.com/user/patarack2010

TO READ MORE ON “Billie’s Black Presents All Star Karaoke” and its host Patrick L. Riley, click here (as Patrick has attracted amazing sponsors like “Motown: The Musical” [for our #motownmay contest]; Hendrick’s Gin; and Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry. We’ve even hosted BIRTHDAY PARTIES during our Tuesday night!) :

 

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TUj2SKo8nvTnjf0jEdg0xJuFj25kqBM

 

SOME FUN EXCERPTS:

 

ALL STAR KARAOKE SIZZLE W/MONIFAH:

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152123074463737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

 

 

 

MONIFAH:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_2xHo2iRNQ

 

 

 

KEKE WYATT:

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152177726443737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

 

 

 

KEKE WYATT & HOST:

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152166354908737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

 

 

 

HOST PATRICK RILEY SINGS TOO:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDneJJTBxw4

#billiesblack #allstarkaraoke

 

JENNIFER HOLLIDAY

Went to Original DREAMGIRL Jennifer Holliday's SOLD OUT NYC show at BB King's! Am TOO ELATED! Opening song: Miss Ross' "I Ain't Been Licked" from "The Boss"! Was so excited to share in the night with my friends and fellow DIVA lovers Lee Smith and Michael K. Watts (whose LIVE FROM FRONT ROW! captured many of the special moments.

VIDEOS:  http://ow.ly/C3gVK

PHOTOS:  http://ow.ly/C3hAy

 #iamlove

 

MOMENTUM MOTOWN

So EXCITED that a POSSIBILITY that Marcia Pendelton shared with me is now being shared with our beloved Momentum Education community! It was OPENING NIGHT for ME: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ! For our MOMENTUM FAM, the date is Friday, November 14, 2014 – A Night at Motown the Musical along with an EXCLUSIVE post-show discussion with the cast! It promises to be a Transformational Event – all for the DISCOUNT PRICE of $80! TELL ALL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US: http://www.walktallgirlproductions.com/EVENT-202541-default-Momentum_Eduation_Night_at_MOTOWN_THE_MUSICAL_ASD_Ajiboye_automation Together you will be touched, moved & inspired by the groundbreaking event. #motownmay #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #momentumeducation

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARA!

WELL, her real birthday gift just came: ANOTHER EMMY! CONGRATS, MY INTERNET WIFEY! NO ONE more deserving, baby love! I LOVE YOU! And am so glad we got to CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY recently – including CATWALK LESSONS for MISS NINA! WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HUSAIN!

OF COURSE, as we look to start ALL STAR KARAOKE back up, we must shout out BIRTHDAY BOY HUSAIN – our #motownmay GRAND FINALE WINNER! HOPE IT WAS GOOD FOR YOU, BUDDY!

JILLIAN’S PEAK TV

WHAT A BLAST TO HOST my girlfriends Charlie T and Danielle’s fundraiser for JILLIAN’S PEAK TV - #JilliansPeakTV – a well-appointed affair that included a live excerpt of the series. Go to www.facebook.com/JilliansPeaktv to find out more! This is – for sure – something you want to look out for and to support! Be a part! The cast and crew would like to thank everyone for coming out to the fundraiser. It was a great success – including wonderful support from sponsors Barefoot Wine, Pop Chips, Unilever,BlvdBistro, Babeland, MCC, B&B,
GoMagazine, Lesbian.com, Nathan 7 Scott, Dee Jones, and Maggie Cousin.
#jilliansPeakTV #JPFundraiser #JPWebseries #JPDonate #Barefootwine #popchips #BLVDBISTRO #Unilver #Gomagazine
#MCC #Babeland #NATHAN7SCOTT #DeeJones,#MaggieCousin

NAS

Shout out to my Spelman sister Tosha Whitten-Griggs and one of my Momentum babies Daralynn Hutson for the invite to: NAS: TIME IS ILLMATIC! A quote from LIFE OF RILEY:
 
"AS A HUGE FAN OF TV ONE'S "UNSUNG" and a recurring pop culture analyst on shows like "LIFE AFTER" and "ARISE 360", I believe film and TV will teach a nation of fans the stories of our modern icons - like NAS. "NAS: TIME IS ILLMATIC" is one such vehicle that takes someone as old as me on an ease down the yellow brick road of my memory lane with stops in Kansas (Queensbridge); hook ups with a slew of lions, tigers, and bears (from Q-Tip to Pharrell and Alicia Keys). What a well-done vehicle that promises to inspire a nation the way NAS did when he launched onto the scene as a young street poet to now, an ICON! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"
 
--- PATRICK L. RILEY
      POP CULTURE ANALYST, "A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RILEY: pop culture & possibilities"

ARTIE THOMPSON

It's Been A Long Time, What Brought Artie To New York City

It's finally Happened, He's Going Back, Back To His Roots, Acting and Singing,

What Brought Him To New York City In The First Place, Come See & Hear The Unforgettable Artie Thompson, Currently Starring On Off Off Broadway "The Making Of A Team" & Former Television Personality Appearing On BRAVO, The One and Only, Artie Thompson

For a Limited Time at The Metropolitan Room in Manhattan

Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 4:00PM

Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 4:00PM

Buy Your Tickets Now before it's all sold out!

Click here to buy tickets;

http://metropolitanroom.com/event.cfm?id=166002

 

 

 

KEKE WYATT

 WEEK 4 of Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley did that!

It featured the announcement of our #motownmay

And Keke Wyatt was our SUPREMELY SPECIAL GUEST!

 She SANG - including a LOVELY BDAY serenade for my partner Anthony Harper! It was to the tune of "If Only You Knew" - a song Keke Wyatt covered some years ago of the Patti LaBelle classic: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202471111313827&set=vb.1075882270&type=2&theater.

First things first, THANKS to everybody for coming out! We had record numbers on the strength of our little night that could... and IS DOING - only because of our ALL STAR KARAOKE regulars who support us week-after-week at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul whether we have surprises, giveaways, or not.

This time, however, our cup runneth over with surprises and giveaways.

Our weekly sponsor is Joseph Riley Land ( Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry) - www.riley-land.com. He is popping up all over Harlem. Tonight's gift: A Taste of the South including handmade toffee from NC, drenched in dark chocolate and topped with finel-ground pecans, award-winning stone-ground grits from SC, Virginia peanuts dusted with wasabi; and an Uber car credit.

And all the singers brought their A game!

I couldn't name all the fabulous talent (Some clips, however, I must share - like this one with my boo boo Darius Booker! Can't he sang?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202590938709284).

 Still, I must name my "internet wife" Mara Schiavocampo, who is a BFF,  popped by. And you know we had so much fun! And we didn't take it for granted given she had just completed a busy day as ABC News Correspondent - often filing on "Good Morning America". I LOVE YOU, MY MARA!

 

And certainly she is standing on Whitney's shoulders! So much so that after KeKe did "If Only You Knew" for Ant, I offered him a song. He asked for "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (also by Whitney) and half-way into the song, KeKe came back from her seat to join me on stage:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202587840755200&set=vb.1172177040&type=2&theater

 &  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152166354908737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater.

This, after we discovered the song Ant loves for me to sing wasn't available: Des'Ree's "Kissing You"). WHAT A BLAST! And may I say that KEKE was FUN, GRACIOUS, GENEROUS of her time and talent, and even said some SWEET THINGS about her enjoyment of my VOICE! HEY! She also said she would LOVE to come back some time! We'll keep the door open and your mic hot, KeKe! CONGRATS ON EVERYTHING!

 THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT! I feel each and every one of your well wishes! And I am eternally grateful. #ENDLESSLOVE

 

MOTOWN MAY

 

And all of this went down before I made the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL and BILLIE’S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE are partnering for MOTOWN MAY – an opportunity for one of our ALL STAR KARAOKE REGULARS to – get this:

 

1. WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE ONLY THE HOTTEST SHOW ON BROADWAY RIGHT NOW: “MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL” IN JUNE, which is BLAC MUSIC MONTH

 

2. THIS PERSON WILL ALSO WIN A “WALK ON ROLE” IN THAT VERY PRODUCTION OF “MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL”

 

3. AND DINNER FOR TWO AT “BILLIE’S BLACK”!

 

BACKGROUND:

* THAT’S RIGHT! "Motown: The Musical" will be a month-long sponsor of "Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke hosted by Patrick L. Riley".

 

* In addition to our standard hash-tags: #billiesblack and #allstarkaraoke, we'll additionally be using #motownmay for all correspondence and social media messages.

 

 

* Soon, we'll have an e-flyer for sharing on all platforms that we’ll ask all of your help in GETTING THE WORD OUT! 

 

The campaign will flow as follows:

 

1. On Tuesday, May 6th; Tuesday, May 13; and Tuesday, May 20th, BILLIE'S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE will dedicate the 9PM hour for MOTOWN-RETURNS-TO-THE-APOLLO-style SINGING COMPETITION.

2. On each of those respective nights, there will be UP TO 10 PARTICIPANTS who can sign our list that we’ll make available at 7p SHARP. On that list, you’ll note: your name; (from the book, what song and song number you’ll perform on that night in the 9p hour); and your cell phone and email address – so we can stay in touch with you. FEEL FREE TO TRY AGAIN, IF YOU DON'T GET 1ST OR 2ND THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME.

 

3. TO REITERATE, if you participate, you will sing ONE MOTOWN SONG (of your choosing from the karaoke catalog - classic or modern).

 

4. On the respective TUESDAY in May, anybody can sign up --- up to 10 people --- before the MOTOWN-RETURNS-TO-THE-APOLLO-HOUR (9p-10p) wraps.

 

5. As the clock nears 10p on each of the first three Tuesdays of MAY, we’ll determine who wins our MOTOWN-RETURNS-TO-THE-APOLLO-style competition by round-of-applause. NO BOOS!

 

6. Weekly prizes for each 1ST and 2ND PLACE WINNER will be the MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL SOUNDTRACK and some especially SUPREME MOTOWN merchandise.

 

7. BUT THERE’S MORE: Those SIX PEOPLE who win the top two prizes for the first three weeks of MAY are eligible to come back the FOURTH TUESDAY of May for: "Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke: MOTOWN MAY’s GRAND FINALE".

 

8. Remember, the GRAND FINALE at which the TOP TWO from each of the THREE WEEKS gets to compete THEIR SAME MOTOWN SONGS against each other and be judged by a panel of MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL cast-members and special MOTOWN FAM!

 

9. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED:

 

GRAND PRIZE:

 

1. WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE ONLY THE HOTTEST SHOW ON BROADWAY RIGHT NOW: “MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL” IN JUNE, which is BLAC MUSIC MONTH

 

2. THIS PERSON WILL ALSO WIN A “WALK ON ROLE” IN THAT VERY PRODUCTION OF “MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL”

 

3. AND DINNER FOR TWO AT “BILLIE’S BLACK”!

 

RUNNER UP:

 

1. WINS SUPREME BAG OF MOTOWN MERCH

 

2. DINNER FOR TWO AT “BILLIE’S BLACK”

 

On Tuesday, May 27th's GRAND FINALE of MOTOWN MAY, we'll EXTEND the night beyond 7p – 10p and have a FULL NIGHT OF MOTOWN - including:

 

(1) a sprinkling of Motown throughout the ALL STAR KARAOKE PROGRAM - starting at 7p;

(2) our ALL STAR KARAOKE regulars will perform MOTOWN

(3) we'll do a little Q&A trivia throughout the night and give away MERCH to ALL STAR KARAOKE attendees

(4) ALL STAR KARAOKE NIGHT extends from 10p to MIDNIGHT - so at 11p, we:

 

THROUGHOUT MOTOWN MAY at ALL STAR KARAOKE and inside all blog references and the varied e-blasts, we will provide information for DISCOUNT TICKETS to see Motown the Musical - a discount code that's been extended to July 6, 2014: ABC123 (see flyer below along with our flyer for BILLIE'S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE)

Special shout out to my friend Marcia Pendelton, Marketing Outreach for “Motown: The Musical”,  who brought this synergy to us. She first introduced me to the “Motown: The Musical” folks when they were in search of a host for their Opening Night video – a career highlight for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ.

 

BROADWAY 2014

Derrick Hemphill and I saw Cabaret the Musical Broadway recently (in preps for future analysis on Broadway and the forthcoming Tony Awards season). Was GREAT to see my Karu F. Daniels in the house! I LOVE THAT!). After, we stumbled into the cast of ROCKY Broadway, the musical we saw last week with Derrick's LSU buddy Katrina Pete Dunn: Rocky, Adrienne, and Apollo! Both shows are GREAT! It's been a wonderful season at the theater, hasn't it? Anyway! After that, Anthony Harper's BDAY fete started as Ant's Kappa brother Christopher Genwright has made it to town. So, Ant’s BDAY celebration had begun.

 

SOUL OUT LOUD

 

I interviewed many of the cast members and the icons they play on the opening night of “MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ. Was EXCITING to get further up-close-and-personal with a few of them last night. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL’s TRIPLE GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEE, who portrays Stevie Wonder: RYAN SHAW BROUGHT “SOUL OUT LOUD” BACK TO THE CUTTING ROOM LAST NIGHT! And I’m so glad Marcia Pendelton invited Anthony C Harper, Derrick Hemphill, Kevin Anthony, and me out to enjoy. Gordon Chambers was there too. And was that Debbye Mcintyre and Jamar Dunn? It was. But as happy as we were to see our NEW YORK CITY FAM, none of us could take our eyes and ears off of the stage – from MR. SHAW to his SPECIAL GUESTS MOTOWN THE MUSICAL CAST MEMBERS BRANDON VICTOR DIXON (“Berry Gordy”) and MORGAN JAMES (“Teena Marie”). Ryan’s bi-monthly “Soul Out Loud” show features special guests from the theatre and music worlds and is highly anticipated on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at The Cutting Room. Theatre enthusiasts and music fans can appreciate the Monday night Broadway “dark night” tradition of stars performing their own music on the “night off.” Ryan joins a list of Broadway talent to stop by the "musician's living room" for the warm, intimate feeling, incredible acoustics and sight lines and comfortable experience for performers and audiences.

 

AND THEY WERE SINGING! Here are clips:

CLIP 1 - "Shake You Down" by Brandon and Ryan

 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152164521878737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

 

CLIP 2 – “Caravan of Love” and “Shake You Down” by Brandon, Ryan, and audience:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152164543738737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

 

CLIP 3: Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You” by Brandon

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152164552193737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

 

CLIP 4: “Hallelujah” by Ryan

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152164567928737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

Shaw’s music can be described as a fusion of soul and rock. The musician’s singer, Shaw is also a brilliant songwriter and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards. In addition Shaw and/or his music have been featured in such movies as: “Bride Wars”, starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway; “Soul Men”, starring Bernie Mac and Samuel Jackson; “My Blueberry Nights”, starring Jude Law, Norah Jones and Natalie Portman; and on soundtracks such as “Sex and the City”, and TV shows including “Dancing with the Stars”, “So You Think You Can Dance” and ABC’s “Brothers and Sisters”. The Cutting Room has been named one of the top five “Intimate Show Venues To Check Out” by NewYork.com and features performers, bands, events and entertainment ranging from rock icons to up and coming singer songwriters. A look at http://thecuttingroomnyc.com/ highlights entertainment for a wide variety of musical tastes, a delicious menu and a comfortable rock and roll atmosphere with great optics and extraordinary acoustics. After opening a decade ago, The Cutting Room continues to build upon its dynamic reputation of having launched and hosted top musicians like Ronnie Wood & Mick Taylor, Sting, Billy Joel, John Legend, John Oates’ stripped down solo CD release party, the night after being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Darryl Hall and Lady Gaga (who was signed after a showcase at the venue) and many more. FOLLOW RYAN SHAW: http://www.thisisryanshaw.com./ THANK YOU, MARCIA! 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANT!

 

Thanks to all of you who came out to DANCE to the sounds of DjStormin Norman of SUNDAE SERMON fame as we ALL lifted Anthony Harper up for his BIRTHDAY! HONEYCOMB PLAYHOUSE was our speak-easy backdrop this past weekend! And so many came by to TOAST ANT! THANK YOU ALL!

EXCERPT OF TOAST AND CAKE:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152164234868737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater