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 MARSHA AMBROSIUS (1)
"WORDS THAT PEOPLE SAY..."
"Words that people say are just that: Words that people say. They are not reality!" Alosondra de la Parra. Founder/Conductor, Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (from NBC 4 special NYC WOMEN for "Women's History Month" on CMT Taxi Programming - www.cmtnyc.com) I LOVE THAT QUOTE!
MISS ROSS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKHlhkcoLxs Miss Ross sang “It’s Hard for Me to Say”.
Luther Vandross wrote & produced it for her 1987 “Red Hot Rhythm & Blues” album (her final RCA project which was a companion piece for her Emmy-award-winning TV special of the same name: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBg022fBO_8). To her fans, like me, it’s a long-overdue acknowledgement of a cult classic that she is currently singing in her current concert repertoire.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgMipf9KFfQ&feature=related 
I’m reminded that Miss Ross’ Emmy-award-winning TV special “Red Hot Rhythm & Blues” produced more than an album with a Luther Vandross song on it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKHlhkcoLxs).
The 1987 May sweeps event also included yet another reunion with Billy Dee and Miss Ross.
3. 
And as we were given the chance to see Miss Ross & Lionel Richie perform the most successful duet of all time “Endless Love” on the Academy Awards: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnfwnOp6uek, we know that since her Oscar nomination for Best Actress in “Lady Sings The Blues” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFstpIKW7A4) that she’s been quite the Academy Awards darling.
Other appearances follow:
4. "The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House" was missing Miss Ross. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2knTjxQkec&feature=player_embedded I think she was inside existing scheduling conflicts when the planning of this one came to be.
Plus, aren’t we all still trying to recover from the magic of MISS ROSS in February?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrzpYEE27a4
5. My Morehouse brother JONATHAN ROPER – filmmaker out of NYC – sent me this link of him at Miss Ross’ Central Park Concert – Day 2.
He’s peeped around 2:08 on the this clip of her singing “You Can’t Hurry Love”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMC9s0jWO-A&feature=related.
6.
I should have told American Idol's Ashthon Jones that as much as the song is a favorite, America didn't get Miss Ross' "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" when she first recorded it.
But the rest of the world did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0IvWwTN2U - including Manila where Ant took me for my BDAY a few years ago.
I did it at karaoke... OF COURSE! LOL! http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/11/12/manifest-destiny-destination-manila.html 
Though we’re taking this Thursday, March 17th off from ALL-STAR KARAOKE THURSDAY NIGHT, we are back up and running on Thursday, March 24th in Harlem at Native Restaurant (Lenox Avenue & 118th Street).
We’ve been having great times over the last few weeks. 
So many of our favorites popped by. And even more sang. My Morehouse brothers Mario and Jamahl King (of STEPS Event Planning Firm - www.stepsevents.com) came out to support. Also, my NABJ buddies Mara Schiavocampo and Mike Feeney (who is a writer and reporter at The New York Daily News - including the paper's UPTOWN section).
And some old karaoke buddies came and graced us all with their talents.
We got visits from my karaoke buddies Caliaf St. Aubyn, who I first met at Pulse Karaoke.
And Brandon Bain. 
He's really one of my favorite karaoke peers. 
So good... and smooth as he croons to us all! 
He invited us recently to perform at his LIVE BAND KARAOKE set.
It takes place at PROHIBITION on Columbus Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets.
I got to do Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”. By the way, we have been doing a lot of karaoke of late.
I ran into Josh Groban at another of our karaoke spots - just casually. He was walking out as I was doing Beyonce's "Listen" from "Dreamgirls". After his thumbs up to me, I got a picture! 
Shout out to Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle who hired me to host its BE GREAT fundraiser.
What an INSPIRING night!
When New Rochelle's own Ray Rice popped in, I convinced $8,000 out of two attendees who - through Ray's generosity - get a Baltimore Ravens’ helmut & jersey – each – signed by Ray himself!
One cool way to kick off raising $$$ to help our kids. I feel GREAT! FYI: Ray Rice is an All-Pro Running Back for the Baltimore Ravens. 
He's an '05 New Rochelle High School grad and a member - as a youth - of The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle! Thanks Ray! CLASS ACT!!!
And thanks to Quay, Michelle, Nichole, Oscar, Jill, Jamie, Robin, and a host of the others who supported my participation in this special program.
We also saluted the 25th Anniversary of the Remington Flyers Track Team (led by coach Walter Brown - pictured). 
Wynton Marsalis Jr. and his bandmates (Vassal States) performed for the cocktail hour. Wynton Sr. is speaking at my Nichole’s upcoming Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle event: Passport to Manhood Mentorship Dinner later this month.
Oh! My girl Cynthia's art was one of the silent auction items that helped raise money for the kids.
And friends (of "Alvin & Friends" fame) were in the house - including The Frances family (Angelique & my Morehouse brother James).
You'll recall, I recently hosted their daughter Arianna's 16th birthday party.
Great to moderate the Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) panel recently. THEME: "The Black Church and her Other Sheep: Where is our room at the inn?" LOCATION: The LGBT Center. I learned a lot from these folks who not only brought their expertise but their open hearts. Powerful program!
Esteemed panel – including soon-to-be systematic theologian Nixon Cleophat; Gay Men Health Crisis’ Krishna Stone; ministerial sexual health training expert (for Pastors, Ministers, and church staff personnel) Michael Elam (DSA Ministerial Development, Inc.);
and Rev. Dr. Paulette M. Zimmerman, advocate for the infected and affected HIV/AIDS population inside and outside of the faith-based community in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
I learned a lot from these folks who not only brought their expertise but their open hearts.
Shout out to my Morehouse brother Kevin Rusty who attended and waxed philosophical as well.
Shout out to Tika Sumpter who has been on "The Game" inside a recurring role opposite the "Malik" character.
Have you been watching her? http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=261254&id=662073736&l=7f9c75696c I met her at the NYC Premiere party for the hit BET show!
And here's hoping for a NEW SEASON on BET as "The Game": REINCARNATED has brought ratings GOLD to the cable network!
Shout out to my friend Erich McMillan-McCall for inviting me out to a playreading for "Trouble in Mind" by Alice Childress and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright.
Cast includes: the legendary Leslie Uggams & my Tony-award-winning friend La Chanze.
Esteemed actress Mary Alice was in the audience!!! That's "Stevie" - the dorm director - from "A Different World" and Fred Sanford's sister in "Sanford & Son".
My friends Marcia Pendelton, Charles Wallace, and several others were also in the house. Inside this reading, Erich’s PROJECT1VOICE officially launched yesterday (at the American Airlines theater): www.project1voice.org. 
The inaugural event JUNE 20, 2011 will be a one-day, staged reading of Alice Childress' TROUBLE IN MIND. This reading, in theatres across the country, will promote the legacies of African-American theatre organizations and celebrate the rich catalogue of literary works by African-American playwrights and authors.
So EXCITED that my friend Kenneth L. Roberson is about to unveil his “Middle Aged Passage Crisis” at The Triad on Monday, April 4 at 7pm (www.Triadnyc.com and www.brownpapertickets.com). It’s a benefit for YOUTH REPRESENT – a legal services organization dedicated to young people age 24 and under (www.YOUTHREPRESENT.org). Ken is such a GREAT FRIEND… and an AWESOME, INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED TALENT!
Got to celebrate my dear friend Sid's 40th birthday recently!
Always good to show Sid how much she means to all of us!
Her guests included our Mara and Tommie, of course. 
But also in the mix: model and artist Bobby Roache’.
Bobby's breakout moment came when he was cast as Grammy-Award-winning singer BEYONCE’S no-good boyfriend for her #1 HIT single “IRREPLACEABLE" music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwViQxSJJQ. 
But he is doing his thing: on the runway;
in the fashion world;
and in popular publications like ESSENCE Magazine.
Additionally, his art has already captured the attention of many, including our First Lady Michelle Obama who has acquired and hung one of his pieces on a wall in The White House.
He too has a mural on the side of the Reformer building (Corner of 12th and U Street).
The DC-native/Duke Ellington School of the Arts alum is one to watch.
I got lots of texts & FB messages from folks. They are saying they saw me on www.centrictv.com at the party for and live performance of Marsha Ambrosius. Ant and our friend Jermaine went as well. He was shooting some shots as well for his own blog. Also, my buddy Jamar was in the house. She shared tunes from her highly-anticipated debut solo album, “Late Nights & Early Mornings“. It is in stores now! The location: Time Warner Center’s Samsung. I didn’t realize this while at Marsha Ambrosius’ CD release party, but someone just told me that the liner notes of the solo debut of the former-Floetry-diva’s debut album includes a dedication to MY MISS ROSS. To quote: “...to Diana Ross in Concert!” Here is one of the virals from that night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y2kV__gX4s Then, by the time we re-connected with her – a week later – at our friend Nathan’s SPLASH party, Marsha had the #1 & #2 albums on Billboard's R&B and pop charts… and the kids CELEBRATED with her! 
Oh! I almost forgot: My dear friend Brian Henderson (www.brianhenderson.carbonmade.com). You recall, he is my NABJ brother and 'play nephew' with whom I've grown close over the last few years.
When he saw that I went to see Marsha, he sent me this historical image of Floetry - the duo from which Marsha hails. When they first hit the scene, they had a concert in Washington D.C. in 2003 and Brian was able to have a shoot with them at Logan Circle near the hotel at which they were staying. THANK YOU, BRIAN!
MARSHA, LATOYA, ARETHA, & WENDY...DANCING!!???
Ern and I got to attend “The Wendy Williams Show” on which Marsha Ambrosius appeared.
But we were there to see “Celebrity Apprentice”s own Latoya Jackson.
Also, to enjoy Wendy’s toss to Part 2 of her Aretha Franklin interview (which she conducted in Detroit over high tea).
You know, Ant & I have held court with THE QUEEN in Detroit... and she's a most gracious, elegant, yet whimsical lady.
All of those sides showed up in her Wendy interview. I'm thrilled that she is feeling better.
By the way, please check out my Detroit BFF Greg Dunmore's piece on Miss Franklin: http://jazzjewels.tv/enter/?p=166. 
MEANWHILE, Wendy’s fans are asking “HOW YOU DANCIN’?” as she’s been announced to the new cast of “Dancing With The Stars”! 
GO, WENDY GO!
Was walking to Columbus Circle subway station near Time Warner Center. Happened upon the papparrazzi - snapping a tall blond & beautiful woman in full-length fur. Cajoled to join in, I pulled my cam out of my pocket and started shooting. I even got in one. After the surge of excitement ended, she went in. I "then" asked my fellow "paps" 'WHO IS THAT?' Of the group, only one person knew it was <drumroll> Deborah Norville from "Inside Edition"!!! I know who she is and what she looks like but usually inside the TV box. She looked good though!
Also, just ran into my girl RENE SYLER here in the CITY! Always a pleasure! Had a chance to recently hang with some cool folks from the world of television.
My dear friend Mara Schiavocampo (NBC News Correspondent) invited me to hang out with some of her colleagues from The Grio (www.thegrio.com) - including the NBC-owned website's fearless leaders David Wilson and Goldie Taylor.
I happened upon some fun industry friends - old and new, including Miss Bevy Smith. Also on hand: Fox News Channel's anchor/reporter/attorney Jamie Colby.
And a recent hang at the Downtown Manhattan STANDARD (in the Meatpacking District) gave us the chance to see our Itika for a quick spell before she and her fiance Datari Turner embark on a voyage of sorts. 
Many CONGRATS are in order Mr. Datari Turner.
And Mr. Datari's upcoming 2nd season of LISA RAYE's TV ONE reality show for which he is the Creator and Executive Producer.
In this file pic, see Miss Lisa Raye and Miss Star Jones, who is making her splash in the realm of reality a la CELEBRITY APPRENTICE!
Congrats to my NABJ friend Constance White (pictured right with Jacque Reid [Have you seen Jacque on LXTV a la NBC of late? CONGRATS!] and me). 
One NABJ mentor Jackie Jones asked me for a quote about another NABJ mentor Sheila Brooks and I consider it a blessing to SPEAK THE NAME of one of my personal living LEGENDS! Take a look: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles%2Fnews%2Fmoving_america_news%2F26228%2F1
“CHEAPER TO KEEP HER”
We got to laugh; walk down memory lane; and cry (just a little) at "Cheaper To Keep Her" matinee at Beacon Theatre. 
Vivica A. Fox; Brian McKnight; my ATL buddy Jonathan Slocumb; Karen Malina White ("Cosby Show"; "Different World"), and a talented cast (www.imreadyproductions.com/).
Shout out to show's creator Je’Caryous Johnson.
He could be likened to Tyler Perry with all he's building with his empire.
Oh! Miss J of "America's Next Top Model" fame was in the house too.
Ant and I got a pic with Vivica. As soon as I can get it properly scanned, I'll put it up.
Here's a pic she and I took (kinda') a couple of years ago during Fashion Week at a Kimora Lee Simmons' set. And finally, here's the pic we took that night.
Shout out to Harlem-based artist Dianne Smith whose work is international. She invited us to The Korean Art Show 2011 & Red Dot Art Fair in SOHO located at 82 Mercer between Spring & Broome: www.koreanartshow.com & www.reddotsale.com. 
And PS: Shout out to Sophia Loren Coffee who - in addition to being a fine artist - is a fine vocalist. She sometimes gigs at St. Nick's Pub. And it's usually FREE...and a lovely slice of Harlem!
My boy Norm Lewis starred in "Les Miz" on Broadway(and I got to hang out with him a time or few during his run). He was part of PBS' LES MISÉRABLES 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT AT THE O2 that premiered recently on PBS, but you know you must check your local listings to see when it will run again. CONGRATS NORM! Here's a peek: http://video.pbs.org/video/1825866897/. CONGRATS NORM! XO
The fried catfish fingers at Moca Bar & Lounge in Harlem are so GOOD! Almond crusted chicken fingers are a delight as well. Price point good, too! www.mocalounge.com 
And I want to shout out my boy Matt Morgan for the social work he's doing in Harlem.
"Music Mondays" at Nectar (www.nectarwinenyc.com) w/guest vocalist Sonia Rogers (pictured).
You must check it out!
Also, in Harlem, we went to the new home of Mr. John Castro. It was housewarming time... and - while there - we got to host dear friends – including Denver-based recording artist and compadre Aaron Blaze (www.aaronblaze.com).
Miss Jackson blew through Chicago and - per the picture - stopped by The Baton Show Lounge's drag show. The Baton is a world renowned establishment in Chicago celebrating over 40 years, and the longest running female impersonation show in the country. Mimi Marks, standing on Janet's left in the photo below, has been friends with Janet.
This, as Ant & I are excited to see Miss Jackson when she blows through town this week and next week.
I hear - by all accounts - that my friend Marcia Pendelton's preview presentation of Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Notage's work "By The Way, Meet Vera Stark" went very well. Lynn, the director, and the cast - including Sanaa Lathan - were in the house. It runs at Second Stage Theatre & co-stars Sanaa Lathan. I was to be standby host (and still attend regardless).
But I was then reminded of another commitment:
my Pulitizer-prize-winning photojournalist friend Michelle Agins ("New York Times") had a set.
It was an intimate Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras set - the reputation of which precedes itself.
So, I had to go!
And what a TREAT! Great New Orleans cuisine, Hurricanes, and an ecclectic mix of folks from far and near.
Shout out to my friend Richelle who hipped me to this group GRADDAi which performed Live in NYC @ The Nuyorican Poets Café last week.
They are ones to watch: www.facebook.com/graddai.
Shout out to my girl Nina Flowers at The Apollo. She invited me to experience my friend Michaela angela Davis' brilliance as moderator of panel "Women in Film: Breaking the Barriers" - scheduled for Monday, March 28th at 6pm. 
It's FREE! For more information, click on www.apolloeducation.org. These women - inlcuding film producers Lisa Cortes; Dana Offenbach; and Friday Torresblanco; will join Managing Director of Tribeca Film Institude Eileen Newman to explore the accomplishments made by women in the film industry.
She too is a friend. 
Her fabulous men's designs take up a lot of room in my closet... and her many talents have been seen even on "Real Housewives of Atlanta" and beyond. 
Her women's wear collection comes to us in April. 
Inspired by Myriam's Caribbean culture, you will see elegant silhouettes,inspiring textiles, vibrant colors and prints, in 100% silk, silk blends with some Lycra, and soft Pima Cotton. CONGRATS MYRIAM! 
LOLA FALANA
Shout out to my friend Terry for walking me down memory lane to LOLA FALANA!
A LEGEND! I LOVE HER!
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in "Late Nights, DIANA ROSS, Early Mornings", JANET JACKSON, Karaoke, MARSHA AMBROSIUS, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Ray Rice, Vivica A. Fox
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