A Day In "The Life Of Riley"

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.

5.) And anytime pictures or video can support an entry (in the blog, and perhaps in the subsequent podcasts, my space, and website), those visuals will keep things aesthetically enrolling. That section will be called "MY TUBE".

PLAYING TO THE POP IN POSSIBILITIES!

Patrick L. Riley

Entries in Riley Land Gourmet Pantry (1)

all lives matter

AmeriCAN

While out in Los Angeles a few weeks ago - Exec Producing a project that I just wrapped (but that I'll be able to tell you more about when it's up and running in 2015-16), I got to hang out with my buddy Nate Parker one evening during which he shared a rough cut - from his smart phone - of a passion project that is now out! - http://youtu.be/5HtCfm7SKbU - #AmeriCAN is a short film and public service announcement that comes in response to events that have divided the country over racial lines. With the influx of violence against black males in America over the past few years, the piece strives to offer a unique perspective in examining the value of lives of the country’s citizens. The intention of the message, “all lives matter,” is to pull people together from both sides of the disparity and inspire the kind of empathy and mutual understanding necessary to promote meaningful discourse and domestic reconciliation. The goal is to bring all people together, without exception to race, religion, gender or age, and send the message that all blood flows red.

#AllLivesMatter

Nate Parker – Director/Writer.

James Lopez – Producer/Story By.

Kay Madsen – Director of Photography.

Valerie Bleth Sharp – Producer.

Mo McRae – Producer/Actor.

Hernany Perla – Producer.

Featuring La La Anthony, Andre Royo, Affion Crockett, Brian White, Omar Benson Miller and David Franzoni

Song by J.Cole – Be Free

And don't forget to check him out in BEYOND THE LIGHTS! #beyondthelights

Miss Jessie’s ROCKS

Night TWO of our FALL 2014 SERIES of Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley brought out a packed room of FUN!!! Miss Jessie's CEO Miko Branch and her business colleague Reeves surprised me with giveaways for our ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULs: http://youtu.be/R0kuxp8bGgY. And as usual, our weekly partner Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry – compliments of Joseph Riley Land, donated an awesome giveaway – a $25.00 gift certificate for its wonderful products. PLUS, a special shout out to Luxe Colore - as in Luxe Colore Hosts Soulful Thursdays at Billies Black Harlem - for its raffle: an awesome watch by Amor Watch by Me'Oclock! The singing came from some amazing ALL STARS - including recurring friend of our special Tuesday night, Mica Hughes - co-star of BRAVO's Blood, Sweat & Heels - who assured us she's uninjured AND inspired inside the upcoming, sophomore season of the show - premiering in January 2015; Darius Booker - straight from Malaysia, singing background for Tevin CampbellHe's also in Syleena Johnson (Official)'s crew); B.b. Thomaz - BB Thomaz on IG, FB - rising star from Germany who sings on par with Mariah and Whitney at their best; dear friend and Wendy Williams' makeup artist Merrell Hollis from MAKEUP by MERRELL (who brought folks - like my Morehouse brother Rory - to sing...and beautifully so! THANKS Merrell Hollis); #motownmay Grand Finale winner Husain Mello Deas Williams who always turns it out; and a host more - including my nephew Herman Lee Riley III; Morehouse College brother Mario Ephriam who is launching his own Harlem affair on Thursdays at NABE on 127th and Frederick Douglass: 6p-11p; and our crooner with the most, Brandon Bain. We're at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul every Tuesday - from 7p-10p! As always, THANKS for your support! WE LOVE Billie's Black Bar Lounge & Restaurant! THANKS to my team: Bernice Wooden and Derrick Hemphill! XO #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #meoclock #amor #luxecolore #globalchic #bravotv #bloodsweatheels

A FEW FUN CLIPS:

http://bit.ly/loveneverfelt_plr

http://bit.ly/mica_plr

http://bit.ly/missjessies_plr

While I Yet Live

Billy Porter’s “While I Yet Live” was EVERYTHING – starring Tony-award-winning Lilias White, Emmy-award-winning S. Epatha Merkerson, and our “Billie’s Black Presents All Star Karaoke” FAITHFUL Larry Powell…and so many of my favorite Broadway and TV peeps came out to celebrate its closing night – including Miss Alyson Williams: http://primarystages.org/whileiyetlive. #whileiyetlive #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

Doe Fund

Anthony Harper, Carl Nelson, and I were guests of Doe Fund 2014 Gala Board-member Andre Robert Lee at Cipriani 42nd: www.doe.org. That’s where we met Miss Jessie's Co-CEO Miko Branch and a host of fabulous people – primary among them: “the men in blue” whose testimonials were riveting and well-worth the half million dollars raised (in 10 minutes! WOW!). There’s still more to be done. Click here for more information: www.doe.org. Great cause!

NABE

After the benefit, we joined my Morehouse brethren Mario Ephraim for the soft launch of a cocktail hour he hopes to host every Thursday at NABE, Harlem's newest cozy lounge. Cute after set! I’m gonna pop by tonight! #doefund2014gala #doefund #missjessies