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 RED TAILS (1)
BLACK TALES
RED TAILS
Went to "Red Tails" World Premiere in NYC at Ziegfeld Theater. 
The George-Lucas production tells the story of our beloved Tuskegee Airmen.
And it stars Terrence Howard.
And Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Also: a stellar cast of Hollywood's best, including my friend Nate Parker; the so-nice Tristan Wilds; 
Andre Royo; 
David Oyelowo;
and Neyo. 
Also in the packed house and/or at the star-studded after party at Gotham Hall: George Lucas; "Black Girls Rock" creator Beverly Bond; her husband Azar;
Keesha Sharp; BeBe Winans;
Khalil Khan; Peter - Cynthia Bailey's husband on ATL Housewives; 
Kangol from UTFO; Desiree Rogers, Publisher of EBONY; EXTRA's AJ Calloway; my New Ros Michelle Sanchez-Boyce; Erica Munro Kennerly; and others from the crew;
Spike Lee; EBONY Editor-in-Chief Amy Dubois Barnett; 
Miss Cassie Freeman; Samuel L. Jackson; and so many other friends and favorites - including a couple dozen "original" and documented Tuskegee Airmen, including Michelle's Uncle Charles. What a total honor to be in their presence!!! BOTTOM LINE: GO SEE “RED TAILS”!
STICK FLY
TOTAL HONOR to host post-“Stick Fly” talk-back with cast members Tracie Thoms, who plays an entomologist, who, too, is the estranged daughter of a prominent Black intellectual (She’s also known from “Rent” , Broadway & movie; “Cold Case”; and my favorite, “The Devil Wears Prada”). 
Also: sole White cast mate Rosie Benton whose credits include “All My Children” and “Law & Order, SVU”. They were so generous in their sharing. 
Then, the panel was rounded out by Marcia A. Cole (Editorial Director, AMBERmag.com) and Chloe Hilliard (Editorial Director, TheLoop21.com…but I’ve known her since she was 15, a student in the New York Association of Black Journalists’ High School Journalism Workshop for which I was an instructor. I always knew she’d be a journalism star, maybe pro B-Ball player. But she’s now ADDITIONALLY working her magic as a stand-up comic). 
The special event was brought to us by AMBERmag.com and its Beauty & Broadway who sponsors include Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and John Paul Mitchell. AKANYC helped out as well. BOTTOM LINE: GO SEE “STICK FLY”: www.stickflybroadway.com.
KIM COLES
GREAT NIGHT that started with the “Inspired In New York Honors” event which saluted friend Kim Coles for her many great deeds, dids, and TO-Dos (www.kimcolesinc.com).
Was also nice to see my BFFs Ed Roebuck and Carl Nelson.
LACHANZE
“…The life of Riley…” is constantly singing the praises of LaChanze, Tony-award-winning actor/singer (“The Color Purple”): http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/lachanze. 
Of course, I love who she is as a performer and the recent LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS ‘AMERICAN SONGBOOK’ series reminded me as a sold-out audience enjoyed an awesome repertoire of classics as well as the amazing NYC view that The Allen Room’s Frederick P. Rose Hall gives inside Jazz at Lincoln Center.
In addition to her own career songs (The Color Purple’s “I’m Here” and her “Once on This Island” and “Ragtime” fare), she performed Stevie Wonder’s “Summer Soft”; Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides, Now”; Pink’s “Glitter in the Air”; Anita Baker’s “Fairy Tales”; etc. 
LaChanze also sang Etta James on home (without knowing, of course).
At the persuasion of an unidentified friend, she added “At Last” to her set (Shout out to songwriters Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for that classic! R.I.P. ETTA JAMES. Time passes quickly here! LaChanze reminded the audience that her first “American Songbook” performance was 10 years ago.
I was there… and about a year into getting to know her. And we've continued to be present at each others' milestones along the way - from the night of her Tony win to her wedding.
Ant and I hold the night of "The Color Purple" (for which she won the Tony) as our anniversary. It was December 1, 2005...We were both covering the red carpet. And it was actually the night we met.
Fast forward six years (now looking to the 7th): We are STILL STANDING together! Other dear friends – Tony/Broadway darlings their own – in the house: Ken Roberson; Erich McMillan; Brenda Braxton; Tamara Tunie; Gregory Generet; etc. Also in the mix: LaChanze’s family – including “my sister friend” Michelle Sapp; LaChanze's husband/my Morehouse brother Derek Fordjour; and a host of others. And my Ant and BFF Sidra Smith rounded things out. I LOVE NEW YORK! And LACHANZE? You are THE BEST!
DEATH OF THE DIVA
Shout out to my friend Roger C. Jeffrey who invited us out to a one-woman musical narrative: “DEATH OF THE DIVA” (www.DeathoftheDiva.com) – written, performed, and – in part composed – by Amanda Seales. Ray Angry co-composed the music and Roger directed. 
I recently had the chance to experience Roger C. Jeffrey’s dance teaching genius at ESOTA in Queens. The Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center-trained dancer and choreographer is also a graduate of Performing Arts High School and The Juilliard School. He’s performed in the companies of Bernice Johnson, Martial Roumain, Kevin Iega Jeff, Twyla Tharp, Lar Lubovitch, Zvi Gotheiner and with Mikhail Baryshnikov's White Oak Dance Project. In addition to his many pursuits, he is currently a dancer with The Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company. Also in the house: DEX (www.dexnewyork.com) – make-up artist extraordinaire.
Performances:
March 23, 24 & 25
March 30, 31 & April 1
Where:
Helen Mills Theater
26th between 6th & 7th
Cost: Regular- $30
Seniors & Students- $20
Group rate- $20(10 or more tickets)
Here are a couple of helpful links related to the project:
Who is amanda seales- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6TR5QMPA9k
To purchase tickets – www.deathofthediva.ticketbud.com/deathofthediva
Promotional reel- www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G8WDEFt2sQ
THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD
Shout out to my friend Gilda Squire who invited me to a preview of The Greene Space at WNYC & WQXR’s 75hth Anniversary of Zora Neale Hurston’s THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD: a multiplatform celebration of the classic novel and legacy. 
The evening featured an intimate, creative conversation with actor and director Ruben Santiago-Hudson (who directs this unprecedented radio drama adaptation); executive producer Indira Etwaroo; WQXR host Terrance McKnight; adaptor Arthur Yorinks; and hosted by Julie Burstein. 
The cast is to include Phylicia Rashad, Leslie Uggams, and a host of other great performers. The festival (chronicling the 75th Anniversary of the legendary literary work) kicks off on February 24 and will culminate with a national radio broadcast in September 2012. 
The festival will include an event hosted by Terrance McKnight that explores Zora’s relationship with Langston Hughes. Ruben is currently starring in Stick Fly on Broadway (You’ll recall, I got to interview a few “Stick Fly” cast-members the other night on their Cort Theatre set for an AMBERmag.com BEAUTY & BROADWAY event). http://www.thegreenespace.org/ #Zora75
VALENTINE’S SPIRIT
Our friend Hanna Lee (www.hannaleecommunications.com & www.unwindwithwine.com) invited us to a New Valentine’s Day & Winter Cocktails Tasting and Argentine Tango Event at Michael’s New York. This special event was hosted by Michael McCarty.
Mixologist Michael Flannery stirred up new cocktails made with aged Venezuelan Rum, high proof French Cognac, Campari, sparkling Italian prosecco and fine liqueurs to celebrate the most romantic of holidays, Valentine’s Day, and banish winter’s chill. 
Plus, there were innovative twists on favorites like hot buttered rum and mulled wine, as well as imaginative original libations. Executive Chef Kyung Up Lim served tasty Bar Bites that salute his homeland, including Korean fried chicken and spicy kalbi tacos.
To add a sensuous note, a top dance couple performed authentic Argentine Tangos throughout the evening. In the house: my girlfriend and colleague Janet Lee whose book "Living in a Nutshell: Posh and Portable Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces" will be out on March 27, 2012. (http://harpercollins.ca/books/Living-Nutshell-Janet-Lee/?isbn=9780062060693). 
GO JANET!
MC DECA
The Bowery Poetry Club attracts cool people like Independent Hip-Hop artists, poets, artists, singers, etc. in the mix. 
Last night, Ant and Manivone invited Carl and me to the Bowery Poetry Club for a hip hop showcase – featuring their Denver friend, MC Deca! http://www.bowerypoetry.com/
BREAKING BREAD & TOASTING BDAYS
With work (and snow) sprinkled all up and through, the weekend also included a lovely dinner with my dear friend Ed Roebuck – accompanied by two FAB dates: Jacqueline Cholmondeley (www.alwaysaccolades.com). 
And also in the mix: the mom/manager of Malcolm Jamal Warner, Pam. Restaurant: Hillstone (AKA Houston’s). 
I had the chance to meet her through Ed a few years ago when I spent lots of time in L.A. working on "Monica: Still Standing" and Frankie & Neffe". 
What an AWESOME woman... and of course, a GREAT MOTHER! 
Not to be confused with his TV MOM with whom he had the chance to recently reunite along with the rest of The Huxtables (except for Denise AKA Lisa Bonet, of course).
There were also two birthdays in “…the life of Riley…”: Candice Harper (at BOHO karaoke). 
And Jason Johsnon (at Cubana Social in Williamsburgh – www.cubanasocial.com). 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you babies...and the many LOVED ONES in "...the life of Riley..." who have January birthdays i.e. Tori, DeDe, Lisa Goodnight, TJ, Reinaldo, Evolyn, Natalie, Maurice, 
Jamar, and many, many more! GO CAPRICORN & AQUARIUS!
HUEY’S
Cute Cajun-style restaurant Huey’s (www.hueys247diner.com) is CLOSED. At least, it looks to be. Its window interiors are aligned with garbage bags outstretched to hide the view of the inside YET the menu and its GRADE A are still displayed outside (Maybe it’s coming back?). 
I’ve grown to love it for its proximity to my work of late (8th Avenue between 55th and 56th Streets) PLUS it’s menu is great i.e. cornbread casserole, jambalaya, chili, etc….and cheap drinks). The challenge (though not for me) is it was always empty. Still, the food was so good and fresh (cornbread was prepared and served in a skillet).
RUPAUL
I felt like I was at THE LEGENDS BALL while at the Harlem home of make-up artist extraordinaire Merrell Hollis (@makeupbymerrell). 
A fun and accomplished group gathered to watch the premiere of Rupaul’s Drag Race, which is in its Cycle 4. 
It was GLAMOUR-PALOOZA up in there – including Dani Evans – winner of “America’s Next Top Model” (@Only1DaniE); my friends, celebrity make-up artist Sam Fine (@SamFineBeauty);
hair master Oscar James (@oscarjameshair); 
Chuck Amos (@CHUCKIELOVE), who does Tracee Ellis Ross’ tresses (and has done Miss Ross); 
stylist par excellence Memsor Kamarake (@Memsor);
and some of the ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ team – including Monique Taylor (@moekittytweets) and Wendy’s wig expert Antwon Jackson (@antwonljackson) were also on deck as well as some other great friends – including Ian, etc. 
Of course, I’ve met a few of the drag race ladies over the years – including Cycle 1 winner BeBe Zahara Benet; Sahara Davenport;
and Shangela (HALLELU!!!). And as we all witnessed last night, this new crop is BRINGING IT!
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in ETTA JAMES, GEORGE LUCAS, Lachanze, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, RED TAILS, SPIKE LEE, STICK FLY, THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD, WENDY WILLIAMS
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