A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Hi folks!

CAN YOU FEEL A BRAND NEW DAY?

Well, LIFE OF RILEY will be bringing you a few more videos to off-set when I’m not booked on one of my clients’ airwaves… and I have something exciting to share – like the official key art for THE WIZ LIVE: http://bit.ly/thewizlive_plr. I just had to get it OUT to YOU! LOL!  

NBC’s THE WIZ LIVE is premiering December 3!

And it goes without saying for what my MISS ROSS jones is that we will be EASING ON DOWN THE ROAD during SEASON 4 of BILLIE’S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY!

We kick off Tuesday, October 27^th at 7p! We’ll be up 10 TUESDAYS until the end of the year!

And we really do LOVE “THE WIZ” at #ALLSTARKARAOKE:

I did BRAND NEW DAY one time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOKtUdgTunQ;

we have had Tony-award-winning choreographer for “The Wiz” on Broadway, George Faison, in the house to promote Faison Firehouse’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’” which we shouted out that night: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/vb.662073736/10152636368748737/?type=3&theater.  

And I shouted out in my theater segment on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360: http://youtu.be/BKwfoTKRwJ8 .

FRENCHIE DAVIS sang ‘HOME’ (and joined us with the cast of “Invisible Life” on #THEBOSS - https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/vb.662073736/10153063149713737/?type=3&theater).

Reservations are highly recommended: 212 280 2248: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2015/9/27/working-overtime-sessions.html.

Miss Jessie's is back among our sponsors! And as ‪#‎missjessies CEO and CO-FOUNDER MIKO BRANCH did last season in promotion of her book Miss Jessie's: Creating a Successful Business from... (Amistad; Hardcover; $24.99): https://youtu.be/RL-EqYvCAeI, we hope you will come SING your FAVORITES with us, ENJOY cocktail specials and tasty soul food, and NETWORK with a ROOM FULL of FABULOUS FOLKS! Miko and I LOVE #THEBOSS - 

https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/vb.662073736/10152964609513737/?type=3&theater.

SEASON 4 is - in part - POWERED by ALL STAR KARAOKE PLATINUM PATRON Mr. Reginald Van Lee. WE THANK HIM and all of you who continue to be such a support! And Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry via Joseph Riley Land is back IN THE HOUSE - literally as the critically-acclaimed pantry has taken up semi-permanent space in the back of Billie’s Black. Gift certificates to purchase ‪#‎rileyland products will be raffled. Plus, look for Riley/Land inside our ALL STAR KARAOKE signature cocktails (Riley/Land-curated mixers that will also be in stock for sale. Stay tuned!). Would LOVE TO SEE YOU some Tuesday - really soon! Let us know if you want to use ALL STAR KARAOKE as a back-drop to promote or present any of your projects inside an intimate but power-filled room of taste-makers and top talent! PLEASE TELL YOUR PEEPS...and SHARE! ‪#‎BILLIESBLACK‪#‎ALLSTARKARAOKE#MOTOWNMAY ‪#‎StockYourPantry

#‎HarlemEats ‪#‎missjessiesbook#iammissjessies‪#‎Legacy of ‪#‎TitiBranch

Money Minute

I’ve always wanted to be a television presenter – as my British friends and colleagues sometimes say. Excited to be hosting a second season of Wells Fargo presents The Money Minute on www.advocate.com. Check them out here: http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute. Episodes 3 and 4 are out:

* http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute/2015/10/07/saving-college-tuition-hayley-erica

* http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute/2015/10/13/purchasing-second-home-hayley-erica

Sidmel

I got news of her passing after midnight…and couldn’t lift myself from my fetal position to post anything nor could I lift myself out of bed to turn the computer on to email something. I just laid there until the pain subsided and I fell asleep to dreams of a time when SIDMEL took a chance on ME!!! AND THE MANY REFLECTIONS CAME FLOODING THROUGH! Well, I'm up now... and the news is still true.... and I did get out of bed - knowing there would be a sea of condolences and memories in social media…and RIGHTLY SO! Sidmel Estes Sumpter was not only the FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT of our beloved National Association of Black Journalists, she paved the way so that ALL WOMEN MANAGERS – and ALL BLACK JOURNALISTS and JOURNALISTS OF COLOR who want the opportunity to work – can stand firm in their calling and WORK! And as one of her first two producers she hired for the now-iconic GOOD DAY ATLANTA which she Executive Produced, she showed of what she was made – hiring this reporter trainee from WSB-TV who was interested in the entertainment/news mix of morning TV to learn not only how to build a morning news show…but she gave me my FIRST opportunities to grow my gift for conducting the interview and to build my “pop culture expert/entertainment reporter” reel through a number of Atlanta-based opportunities that would have New York City calling in 1995! Sidmel didn’t want me to leave her or WAGA, but knew she had to let me go. In our last, in-depth chat, she acknowledged that she was being selfish and shouldn’t have tried to hold me back from trying to take my career to the next level, but she LOVED having me at GOOD DAY ATLANTA with her and she explained that I was one of her “BABIES” – a term of endearment she called us all…and – in turn – those of us who have come up through the student pipeline are coined #NABJBABIES. In our last chat a couple of years ago (Orlando NABJ), Sidmel told me how proud she was of what I made of myself - as producer, talent, and MAN --- something she pointed out that she knew I was figuring out when we worked together and I was 22 and 23 years old. Well, like Sid, I can right now acknowledge that I am being selfish and trying to hold her back from leaving us and taking her life’s destiny and legacy to the next level. She is one of my INDUSTRY MOMS after all! She took a chance on me at the beginning…and so many thousands and thousands of others – including putting the fire under us entertainment beat journalists to start the NABJ Arts & Entertainment Task Force! She was spirited, fierce, pioneering, and FULL OF LOVE…and she did an AWESOME JOB while here on earth – indeed jumping over the moon to be with her parents again in heaven. This, as we keep her family, especially her sons Joshua and Sidney, in our PRAYERS! THOUGH A SAD MOMENT IN TIME that will reverberate for the rest of their lives, THEY SHOULD BE SO PROUD! SHE LOVED HER BOYS!!! WE WILL LOVE SIDMEL ESTES SUMPTER FOREVER! I LOVE YOU ALL! Please don’t forget to LOVE ONE ANOTHER – from near or far! JUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER as I LOVE YOU! #NABJ40

Last year, LIFE OF RILEY was in L.A. during OSCAR weekend - a party I got to help throw with the African American Film Critics Association: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-log/2013/2/26/oscar-and-remy-martin.html This year, LIFE OF RILEY got in on a little of the POST-OSCAR fun by way of COZI TV at NBC's 30 Rock in New York City!

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video/#!/on-air/as-seen-on/Post-Oscar-Panel/248296351 GO Ellen!  I've also been talking a lot of TV on COZI - before this an appearance about the Golden Globes. Prior to that, it was an EMMY RE-CAP with TV Guide Magazine's Matt Roush: http://youtu.be/lKDDhF_6qy4 and that was a call-back that came from the EMMY NOMINATIONS ROUND-UP we did in July: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video/#!/on-air/as-seen-on/Emmy-Nominations-for-2013/216162211). And I'd originally done a BROADWAY segment with them a few months ago: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Pop-Culture-Expert-Patrick-Riley-on-Black-Broadway_New-York.html. I am inside a lot of bookings from NBC-related entities - one from MSNBC's "First Look" to weigh in on Beyonce's Inauguration performance (a phoner). NBC's other platforms have come a calling: NBC News/The Grio has been calling on me - recently to weigh-in on the NAACP's endorsement of gay marriage: http://www.thegrio.com/politics/will-naacp-gay-marriage-resolution-change-black-hearts-and-minds.php; On New Year's Eve to 2011, I made my "debut" on THE TODAY SHOW (as on-cam 'pop culture analyst') inside a piece that Mara did on the ball drop in New York's Times Square (http://216.117.188.141/PRiley/PatrickDemoSept2011.mov).  P.S. LIFE OF RILEY HEADS UP: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/Belle/ Remember I told you about this today. Shout out to my Harlem buddy Tracy Grant hipped me to her brother in law’s new film (He's UK producer Damian Jones of D.J Films). "BELLE" hails from Fox Searchlight Pictures the way that 12 Years a Slave did a year or so ago...  and this HISTORIC TALE brings forth yet another story that chronicles the horrors of slavery and what reversals and progressions have transpired in its time. I would be remiss if I did not mention Belle's director Amma Asante http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1392994/ It opens May 2, Mothers Day. Please spread the word! #belle #12yearsaslave #foxsearchlight

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO: http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/wattstax

NELSON  GEORGE and WATTSTAX at NJPAC I Friday April 5

POP CULTURE ICON (and – for sure – one of my personal pop culture IDOLs) NELSON GEORGE will be presenting a screening of WATTSTAX – including a panel discussion afterwards NEXT FRIDAY, April 5^th! A MUST ATTEND! BUY TICKETS here! http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/wattstax #NJPAC

NYABJ TRAILBLAZERS

Am GRATEFUL to the New York Association of Black Journalists for honoring me as one of its Trailblazers alongside Robert Anthony, Eric V. Tait, Lena Sherrod and Audrey Edwards: http://www.nyabj.org/2013/03/21/meet-the-five-nyabj-trailblazers-to-be-featured-at-march-26-throwback-tuesday-mixer/. A BLESSING! And so good to enjoy a lovely meal and reflection time with my fellow honorees. Afterwards, we got to mix and mingle with our NYABJ family - old and new. The Carlton Hotel's Salon Millesime was the perfect back-drop! THANKS NYABJ! XO

CHAKA KHAN’S BDAY AND MANY MORE

Afterwards, Ant & I promised Miss Phynjuar that we'd come to Miss Chaka Khan's 60th Birthday party at EVR. Saw many friends - including entertainment writer Karu Daniels; singer/producer Kevin-Anthony; Sister 2 Sister's Jamie Foster Brown; Chaka Khan publicist Gwendolyn Quinn; singer Toni Seawright; NABJ brother Roland Martin; actress Taraji P. Henson; Oprah's and the First Lady's makeup artist Derrick Rutledge; UBER-stylist and TV personality Phillip Bloch; and a host of others. FUN NIGHT as Chaka's music played! And Chaka was so gracious as we quickly reflected on my first interview with her: "Good Day Atlanta" in 1993 and then in Santa Barbara in 2005, but there have been many times in between that I've been in Miss Chaka Khan's presence - from shows, live tapings, private CD listening studio sessions, etc. AND IT IS ALWAYS MY HONOR! Happy Birthday, Chaka!

ARIES BIRTHDAY TOAST

In addition to it being also MISS ROSS’ birthday and MISS ARETHA FRANKLIN’s birthday (within days in ARIES MARCH), it was also the birthday of girlfriend Priya Scoggins. She hosted a low-key, but lots of FUN, evening at her Manhattan pad. We attended with friend Merrell Hollis ("Wendy Williams" make-up artist and influential style icon his own) and I was TOO excited to see my "little" Morehouse brothers (of whom I am SO PROUD): Isoul Harris (Editor-in-Chief for "Uptown Magazine" - www.uptownmagazine.com) and singer/songwriter Welborn Preston (credits including Jennifer Hudson's recent dance hit "Night of Your Life"). Also in the house: media master and friend Nathan Hale Williams as well as several other friends: Derrick Hemphill, Lisa Bonner, Ian Wells - an awesome round out to the night's roster. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRIYA! AND MANY MORE! As always, THE BEST TIME!

BLACKS ON BROADWAY

My debut media impression on COZI-TV and NBC 4 this past Friday received raves: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Pop-Culture-Expert-Patrick-Riley-on-Black-Broadway_New-York.html. Thanks to all for tuning in! As a result, I was just invited to do a similar segment on WNBC’s “Positively Black”. Also, I have been invited to work the red carpet on MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL's opening night for the show’s AD-AGENCY's cameras! YAY! Stay tuned! And as always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

MOTOWN’S NYC INFLUENCE

Though the MOTOWN legacy LIVES all over the world, the coming of MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL to Broadway – OPENING APRIL 14^TH: (www.motownthemusical.com) is but one sign of THE MOTOWN SOUND and FAMILY here in New York City:

• ·         RHONDA ROSS – daughter of MOTOWN Founder Berry Gordy and FIRST LADY OF MOTOWN Diana Ross - just did a show at The Sugar Bar, which happens to be the supper club owned by ICONIC MOTOWN songwriters and producers: the late, great NICK ASHFORD & VALERIE SIMPSON: THE SUGAR BAR (on 72nd Street on the West Side). And she's scheduled to do another show April 27th at the Cutting Room: https://www.facebook.com/RhondaRossOnline#!/events/468565766550196/?fref=ts.
• ·         Friend and Broadway darling LACHANZE (who won the Tony award as lead actress in a musical for her portrayal of Celie in “Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple”) is doing “LOVE HANGOVER: Celebrating the music of the one and only Diana Ross” – an evening of song at 54 Below in the theater district on 54th Street. April 17, 18, and 22: http://www.broadway.com/shows/love-hangover-lachanze-sings-diana-ross/.
• ·         Traveling production: "My Brother Marvin" – one interpretation of Marvin Gaye’s life and times - will be in NY April 11-14 @ the Beacon: http://www.beacontheatre.com/events/2013/april/my-brother-marvin.html. It's considered controversial by some, but is indicative of influence and growing nostalgia as anything else that's out: It stars Emmy Award winning actress Lynn Whitfield; Image Award winning actor Clifton Powell; R&B sensation Keith Washington; vocal powerhouse Tony Grant and platinum selling R&B Group Az Yet.
• ·         Friend Jeff Bowman (with whom I had the chance to consult on a cross-cultural marketing project in which my girlfriend Sidra Smith enrolled my participation) has recently joined the Classical Theatre of Harlem as a board member.  They are currently running a show in Harlem and welcoming your support for “DETROIT ‘67”. Please see the link:  http://www.classicaltheatreofharlem.org/ This is hopefully the first of many shows in Harlem.  This is special because of the relationship with the Public Theatre and Time Warner as the presenting sponsor.
• I LOVE DETROIT’s own JO THOMPSON – legendary jazz pianist and vocalist. As her manager and son Greg Dunmore is a BFF, I’ve had the chance to see her in many esteemed rooms! This week, Jo Thompson in town for more than celebrating the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin's birthday (as they are seen here at the Ritz Carlton NYC), but she too is having her moment in the spotlight at the World Famous Cafe Carlyle this weekend March 28 and 30 in "Slender Tender and Tall: An Evening With the Fabulous Ms. Jo Thompson. Call: 212-744-1600 for tickets. And read here for more information: http://www.amsterdamnews.com/arts_and_entertainment/cafe-carlyle-welcomes-bobby-short-pal-jo-thompson/article_653b03ac-924d-11e2-8a1c-001a4bcf887a.html NEW YORK CITY loves when JO THOMPSON comes to town!

30 YEARS: MAMA, I WANT TO SING

Was so EXCITED to get a personal call from Vy Higginsen who invited us to the 30th Anniversary Celebration of "Mama, I Want to Sing" which benefitted the Gospel for Teens program (from which the kids led a "This Little Light of Mine' finale that included an impromptu encore/bow featuring the Gospel-tinged vocals and ad-libs of Committee Co-Chairs - legends their own - Cissy Houston and Valerie Simpson, and legendary guests Dionne Warwick and Angie Stone). Event Chair Lesley Stahl (Emmy winner for a "60 Minutes" profile on Gospel for Teens) was honored and in the house at Harlem's Dempsey Theater along with recent media supporter Nate Berkus. Other event hosts (not present): Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Shirley Caesar. To find out more about how you can help support Gospel for Teens and/or to enjoy Mama Fouundation for the Arts' many offerings, click on: www.mamafoundation.org & www.vyhigginsen.com.  All of this on a day in which I saw "Mama, I Want To Sing", the movie, for the first time (starring Ciara, Lynn Whitfield, Patti Labelle, Ben Vereen, Billy Zane, Marvin Winans, and more) on Centric (after "The Wiz").

APOLLO BRINGS JAMES BROWN

My friend at The LEGENDARY Apollo Theater, Nina Flowers, just hipped me to a special new production coming to the Apollo in the fall of 2013: The World Premiere of “James Brown: Get On the Good Foot - A Celebration in Dance”, which opens on October 22nd, 2013. Tickets for this show go on sale on April 30th.  Like Apollo Club Harlem before it, this is a conceptual work and will be developed by five fabulous choreographers from around the world. It will showcase the stylistic and cultural influences the “Godfather of Soul” continues to have on artists and creativity through dance. Under the artistic direction of acclaimed choreographer Otis Sallid, “Get on the Good Foot” will pay tribute to Brown through original dance numbers and a musical score comprised of classic music by the soul icon and new works by musicians influenced by Brown. Sounds like an exciting addition to one of The Apollo’s Legacy Projects, which really celebrates the history of the Theater through contemporary works and James Brown is one of our Apollo Legends. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org.

B BOY BLUES

Congrats to my friends, Director Stanley Bennett Clay and writer (of book and play), James Earl Hardy and the cast of B BOY BLUES: THE PLAY (comprised of a cast that includes several friends: Reginald Barnes (pictured right) and Demarco Majors; ALSO AS CASTING DIRECTOR, my dear friend Tracey Moore). Its recent run in New York City WON the “Downtown Urban Theater Festival AUDIENCE AWARD”! Its next stop: The DC Black Theater Festival in late June!  And worth noting that Stanley – who is always writing something fabulous – has a new novel "Aching For It." For those of you who met and loved his characters Jesse and Etienne in "House of John," you better fasten your seatbelts for a next-level ride of romance and erotica. CONGRATS, STANLEY AND ALL OF MY FRIENDS associated with B BOY BLUES!

MY SPELMAN SISTER TANIKA RAY'S MIND BODY CASA

CONGRATS to my Spelman sister and friend Tanika Ray on her new venture: She recently announced www.MindBodyCasa.com, the spiritchild of Tanika: TV personality, Pop Culture expert & Interior Enthusiast! She has brought this vision to digital life in collaboration with her friend/designer/sister Sass Nikki Martin. They have created a lifestyle webazine jam packed with fresh takes on trends, spicy blogs and original video content. CONGRATS, BOO!

BIG RED BIKE MEDIA

I'm happy to announce the launch of my friend Caroline Ziv’s website and blog for her new video production company, Big Red Bike Media. To put it in the simplest terms, BRB creates custom videos for businesses, non-profits and individuals. To that end, if you or anyone you know is looking to make a marketing, promotion, fundraising or personal documentary video, you should consider Caroline (and tell her “…The Life of Riley…” sent you). We worked for years together with my recurring freelance client HARPO Productions out of Chicago. I am EXCITED for Caroline’s NEXT CHAPTER:  Her blog link is here: http://bigredbikemedia.com/from-where-i-sit/. And her website is here: www.bigredbikemedia.com. CONGRATS, ZIV! XO

DECADE ENDER

Prior to attending the Erykah Badu listening party a couple of weeks ago, NBC Digital Correspondent and friend Mara Schiavocampo invited me to 30 Rockefeller Center to offer on-camera pop culture analysis to a piece she was working on for NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams (on-line) and MSNBC. (You’ll recall, Mara had me weigh in on Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama when – in Iowa – he and the now-First-Lady Michelle Obama expressed their bond via THE POUND: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXc6x5JlJuw. That piece was the most-watched video on MSN for the lion’s share of 2008. I take credit for it. But perhaps my buddy Obama had something to do with it as well.). Since then, I’ve been invited back a couple of times – including this currrent decade ender piece that will be running on MSNBC this week: all day New Year's Eve (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pYKZBjEx40). I am blessed to more-and-more be able to bring my on-camera/personality center stage – including the recent Disney event I hosted which introduced “The Princess & The Frog” to the National Association of Black Journalists for the first time: http://216.117.188.141/PRiley/NABJDisneyMagic.wmvhttp://216.117.188.141/PRiley/NABJDisneyMagic.wmv.

HOLIDAY PARTY TRAIN

But I have more current things to reflect on than the whole decade. My long-time friend Carl convinced me to come out and play as we haven’t hung out in a minute. It was the holiday party for my favorite boutique N, which is now in a new location on Lenox Avenue (between 118^th and 119^th Streets). Since Ant had left for Denver to be with his family and had already packed, I figured one more social round in NYC before I leave to be with my fam in Savannah for Christmas couldn’t hurt. With toy in hand (as it was a benefit), I pulled myself together and am glad I did. It was for charity), I went into the city to see some folks I hadn't seen since returning from L.A. (including Carl). Not only was it good to see Carl but it was GREAT to meet his sister Sharon’s baby boy Nelson who we’ve nicknamed “The Miracle Baby”. Also, my L.A. earth angel (now-back-in-Harlem) Sidra was in the house along with Murphy. And it wouldn’t be the “N” party without the faces behind the brand: Lenn, Larry, Nikoa, and my buddy Jamar. Also in the house: my Morehouse brother Michael James who owns the grooming line Frederick Benjamin: http://www.frederickbenjamin.com; Devon Christopher, Harlem entrepreneur: Publisher of BLEU Magazine and co-owner of Atomic Wings - also in Harlem. I just celebrated its 1st Anniversary (with Ant, Brian, and Kelli): http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/12/21/and-this-christmas-will-be-a-very-special-christmas.html; we also stopped by the home of Carl's old neighbor Mike Bianco for espresso (imported from Italy). And The N holiday party after party was also in Harlem at 67 Orange Street bar/lounge. This is Kevin Reed, a fan of my blog before we actually met a few months back. Awesome guy! Patti LaBelle's renowned music director/pianist John Stanley was also in attendance... and it was great to meet him after admiring his work for many years. Nice fellow.

CHRISTMAS EVE

And even when the night glitters, the toilet can get stopped up and, hey, it doesn’t smell like roses. But my super Danny came to the rescue on Christmas Eve in the wake of my much-later-night-than-I-intended at the holiday parties. This, as I'm pulling it together to get to the airport in just over one hour. YIKES! Though Ant packed for me, I was reminded of things I didn't want to forget i.e. my IPOD, chargers, toiletries, etc. Plus, I wanted to pare down some of his selects with the luggage specs in mind – from check-in fees to weight. Based on what was in my pocket, I wanted to ensure I could carry on. Once all that was done, my driver/Godchild's father Owen was awaiting to take me to the airport. Plus, I wanted to give him my gifts for Godchild Owen Angelo. But I got the Christmas gift: Owen Angelo (and his mom Sandy) came along for the ride. Owen Angelo was so happy to receive his gifts and gave me lots of love and hugs for his Disney goodies.

HOME SWEET HOME! SAVANNAH

Once home in Savannah (after a layover in Charlotte: CHEAPEST FLIGHT), my nephew picked me up and took me to his parents' place. Though now a FORTUNE 500 exec (soon to call NYC home after he graduates my alma mater Morehouse in May), my nephew is still my go-for and chauffer. He provided me his laptop to go over some notes in my inbox. Plus, he warmed his father (my brother) and me up some of their leftovers (including RED kool aid). From there, I did get home to my Dad and his wife Diana’s home (which too is my childhood home). And it’s always nice to be home in the bed and basking in all things nostalgic.

CHRISTMAS WEEKEND

The pictures are gonna have to speak the 1,000 words as Savannah was humping and pumping for my three days there:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=134128&id=662073736&l=97f21ad04a.

Diana prepared an awesome Southern breakfast on Christmas morning.

Then, we opened gifts once my sister arrived.

Though knocking on 40, I’m still “the baby” and love to open gifts and get something. This year, ‘cash’ was ‘king’… and much needed. But it was also great to see the joy on Dad & Diana's faces as they opened their gifts.

 My late mother Queen Elizabeth Bellinger Riley’s side of the family always gathers at her only sibling/sister Mary Lee’s house or – in recent years – the home of Mary Lee’s daughter/my cousin Felecia’s house.

As tradition goes, we interview new boyfriends/girlfriends… and in this case… fiances – including Felecia’s baby girl/Navy woman Kea’s new man Roc who passed my interview with flying colors.

They are getting married New Year’s Day (right after the strike of midnight). CONGRATS!

Also, Felecia’s oldest child Demaris (Dee Dee, we call her) and her husband Chris now have a little girl Meagan.

And she just loved her cousin Patrick’s “The Princess & The Frog” gift.

 I also gave an incarnation of the royal gift package to cousin Bozo (Kejuanna’s daughter Leilani).

And Auntee Mary Lee was waxing and relaxing in her new recliner which her kids Lecia & Tabby bought her.

We all gathered at her home the next day to clear the way for the chair.

It was so exciting to go through the old pictures and documents and uncover awesome things about our family history.

After that wonderful stop, we went to my Auntee Goldie’s house. She is my Dad’s sister and holds the fort for the Riley family. She made sure I got my “chitterlings” on… and they were delicious as always. (DON’T JUDGE ME! LOL!).

Given my Dad’s brother Uncle Bobby just passed away and many of us gathered for his homegoing a couple of months ago, it was great to be together again. We got to fill in the rest of the family who couldn’t attend the funeral on how special the ceremony was (and Uncle Bobby’s life and influence in Pontiac, MI). After all, that milestone reminded all of us why we should be proud to call ourselves R-I-L-E-Y. And while Daddy and Diana went to his high school reunion gala (Woodville Tompkins), I got to hang out with my other family, THE MAYNORS (the clan from which my New Jersey neighbor and best friend since 7^th grade Ern hails). Ern and his siblings invited me out to hang with them. I’ve always been the 6^th – slightly darker (before color correction) – sibling in the MAYNOR mix.

… and now I’m home. Still need to land some steady work but am trusting the top of the year to introduce some opportunities. Plus, for inspiration (as my multi-hyphenated talents go), I have:

* My girlfriend JACQUE REID who is one of the co-stars on VH1's reality show

 "Lets Talk About Pep" [The 'urban Sex and the City']. SEE THE TRAILER HERE:  http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1628583&vid=466420

Most importantly, tune in to the premiere on January 11th at 10:30pm on VH1! 

* My girlfriend RICHELLE TAYLOR who has written her book “DISCOVERING WHO YOU REALLY ARE” – a book for African American women with universal appeal for all as the search for self-discovery goes. www.communitylinksmagazine.com

* My diva SHERYL LEE RALPH who brings us "singin' and swingin' into the 2010" at Upright Cabaret! The Film, Television and Broadway star SHERYL LEE RALPH (Sister Act 2, The Flintstones, OBC of Dreamgirls) brings three rare solo cabaret performances (including one on her birthday). She takes you on a musical journey of songs you will love from Broadway show-stoppers to R&B including songs from Dreamgirls! Ms. Ralph has captivated audiences for many years and has used her talent to raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS related charities. "Simply Sheryl Lee" is your chance to get up close and personal with this smart, sexy and brilliantly talented songstress as she continues to raise money for the Diva (AIDS) Foundation.
Click for Tickets - New Year's Eve with Sheryl Lee Ralph...

 
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

LOVE

Ant and I celebrated our 4^th anniversary the other day. We consider the first day we met the day because our lives would be forever changed. It was the opening night of “The Color Purple” (which – by the way – is coming to NJPAC in Newark and you can get a $25 price break using code "25URBAN" at the website). On that day in 2005, Ant was covering the red carpet for STARZ! I was covering it as well. My friend Mario introduced us at the after party. And the rest is history. As we continue to budget the little we have right now, we didn’t plan on exchanging gifts. But Ant surprised me with a card that reads: "I'm so glad I found you - the one I can TRUST to dream my dreams with me...the one who UNDERSTANDS my deepest feelings...the one who KNOWS me and loves me as I really am...You're everything I ever hoped for in a PARTNER, all that I need in a friend, and all I ever wanted in someone to love.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!” Did Ashford & Simpson write that? LOL! I guess you see why it’s easy for me to wade through the minimum wages of a couple of temp gigs. There’s something PRICELESS at home as we build ABUNDANCE! Oh! Per a Ralph Lauren sample sale, he gifted me an awesome, white, brushed cotton jacket that fits as if it was tailored and a cute pair of green corduroys. WHAT CAN I SAY? He’s a keeper!

FRIENDS

Ant and I had the luxury of both working in the city one day recently and we were able to have a lovely (but quick) lunch at Blockhead’s with Manivone and our girlfriend Camille, who lives mostly abroad. In fact, Camille was straight off a plane from Ghana (and is soon en route to Beijing). She and I got to spend more time with Ant and some of his co-workers at 'Wendy' (Talia and Aleeka). A little BBQ. A little karaoke. Also, Camille and I got to hang out with our friend Omar. You remember Omar. He did that great tux for me some years ago when I hosted an event for Disney and Steve Harvey absolutely LOVED the tux. OMAR - at that time - was one of the vendors at the old N, my favorite boutique:

* OMAR & N - PPU 1/5

* (BLUE) "THAT'S THE NEW COLOR, CHILDREN"

Well, he has remixed his brand and is now doing a line (ROAM New York) for HSN (http://www.hsn.com/). And he goes on air to sell his goods:

* ROAM NEW YORK Westside V-Neck Top with Multicolor Sash

* ROAM NEW YORK Village Ribbed Knit Leggings

* ROAM NEW YORK Greenwich 2-Tone Cozy Cardigan

* ROAM NEW YORK Empire State Lace-Print Turtleneck Tunic

* ROAM NEW YORK Uptown Embellished Tunic

* ROAM NEW YORK LES Foldover Pants

* ROAM NEW YORK West Side Long-Sleeve Top

* ROAM NEW YORK Uptown Embellished Tunic

* ROAM NEW YORK SoHo Cocoon Shrug

* ROAM NEW YORK Downtown Beaded Scoop-Neck Top

* ROAM NEW YORK Bleeker Draped Cardigan

* ROAM NEW YORK Murray Hill Cardigan

His next appearance on HSN is December 19th. After that, he's booked in February, March, and May.

MY NEPHEW

Also, over this last week and change, I was most excited to see my nephew Herman Lee Riley III (for a brief moment) as he was flown here to NYC for an interview (a potential gig for after he graduates my alma mater Morehouse College in May). Too, in the Spring, he's one of 16 Business-major seniors at my alma mater who travels to England, Ireland, and Scotland. SO PROUD I AM!

2009 OUT MUSIC AWARDS

Ant and I went to the 2009 Out Music Awards in NYC at Webster Hall – such a sign that I am home as I saw so many of my best friends from the industry and beyond. Nominee and good buddy Demarco Majors was in the house. Here are my buddies Ra-Fael DeBlanco (publicist extraordinaire) and Luke Burke (producer extraordinaire).  And my Terry Wynn who is like a little brother to me. Co-host for the night Kate Clinton steered the night alongside Rodney Chester of "Noah's Arc" fame. And my friend Publisher of BLEU Magazine Devon Christoper was there along with Kimberly Nichole with whom I sang on the same stage for the Ashford & Simpson tribute at Gospel Uptown: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/11/30/entertainment-exclusive-2-get-your-tickets-to-see-pieces-of.html.

And my Momentum buddies Sage Rivera (far left) and members of VOGUE Evolution dancers ("America's Best Dance Crew") were there. And of course, Ant’s and my friend Richard Pelzer (President & Founder of MEGA Management) invited Ant and me: VIP. He too blogs: The MEGA World of Lil Mogul - www.TheFutureForward.net. Here Ant and I pose with our friend Toyce who recently attended the BDAY party that Ant threw for me a couple of weeks ago. And another highlight: Benny Ninja - the FIERCE one who you may know from America's Next Top Model.

ERYKAH BADU

Ant, his co-worker Talia, and I went to Erykah Badu’s listening session at Chung King Studios in Manhattan. She played tracks from her upcoming CD: "New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ahnk‏". The new material is a SONIC SMORGASBORD! CLASSIC ERYKAH INSIDE HER CURRENT FREQUENCY - ALL AT ONCE! Corinne Bailey Rae was there... and let me know she has a new album coming out in February. And it was nice to sit in a studio with the lights off… incense burning… and Erykah Badu waxing philosophical on all things music and life and love. Ant is a big BADU fan. Too, he modeled alongside Badu in the April 2008 issue of ESSENCE Magazine. And he got to attend a similar listening experience when her first project in this multi-tier volume was released: "... CUP RUNNETH OVER...".

HUSTLE

So my hustle continues for work. Took some great meetings over these last few days. I put my pop culture analysis hat on(-camera) for a piece that will run on NBC Nightly News & MSNBC by year's end (Stay tuned). In the wake of my debut contribution last year (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXc6x5JlJuw), glad they still call from time to time. Too, I met some folks at USA Network about some opportunities. And I’m closing in on a project that will bring in some revenue during the holidays. So, stay tuned for that.

BASKETBALL WIVES

I went to a 'Wendy' taping for the first time since its pick-up as I’ve been away. I took rare advantage of my access since Ant works for the hit talk show. This, to say HI to my buddy (and Executive Producer of VH1 reality show "Basketball Wives") Shaunie O'Neal (who mouths "..Hi Patrick!..." in her 2nd segment before she and Wendy continue their dish. I'm sitting in 2nd row admiring her class, poise, and graciousness (Oh! And her fierce, red FENDI heels. LOL!). A new, slim, trim ANGIE STONE was the musical guest. And after her song ("I Ain't Hearin' You"), she and Wendy talked all things new weave, D'Angelo, and waistlines, etc. OVERALL, great show! www.wendyshow.com

DREAMGIRLS: DÉJÀ VU

After 'Wendy', had two promising meetings regarding 'new business'. From there, another round of "Dreamgirls" at The Apollo, compliments of my Tata. Then, I joined Ant and his 'Wendy' colleagues for post-their-holiday-work-party karaoke.

Will decide this weekend if: I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! I sure hope so…