PATRICKRILEYHEADSHOT2.JPGWELCOME 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 Shaquille O'Neal (2)

rest in prince

Mist Harlem Steps screening

After we’d all gathered for the Premiere on November 19 2015 in Jersey City, my partner Ant – an events manager at MIST Harlem – told Eddie Harris he should be bring his film ‪#‎STEPSTHEMOVIE to NEW YORK CITY – for our NYC-based friends and tastemakers. STEPS is Co-Directed by Jay Rodriguez and Rock Davis and Executive Produced by Shaquille O’Neal. Like the New Jersey screening, the positive feedback was FELT! And the filmmakers are still taking meetings on which platform(s) we will see our labor of love. I’d mentioned before AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST QAASIM MIDDLETON is in it too along with his brother KHALIL MIDDLETON. AND THEY ARE WONDERFUL! And BIGGEST of THANKS to EDDIE HARRIS and PENWAH for casting me in this amazing project! For more info, go to www.Stepsthemovie.info. THANKS EVERYBODY for your well wishes and for supporting LIFE OF RILEY – including a ‪#‎bosschoir of NYC family including Director/Producer/Casting Giant Tracey Moore; she and my childhood friend Maurice Marable’s son Myles, actor extraordinaire; photography diva Rowena Husbands; DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON Producer Carl Nelson; Emmy-award-winning GMA Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo; Morehouse brother/LIVE FROM FRONT ROW Publisher Michael K. Watts; international model and Bobby Roache Eyeglass wear designer; BFF since childhood/LIBERTY realtor Ernest Maynor; BE NICE Production’s own Bernice Wooden (All Star Karaoke Producer); All Star Karaoke FAVORITE/Hospitality Expert Ephraim Walker; KOBIE CHRONICLES’ own Kobie Brown (Morehouse brother whose online series “Red, White, & Baltimore” we want you to check out soon: http://thekobie.tv/red-white-baltimore-american-story/);  etc. ‪#‎GRATITUDE ‪#‎steps ‪#‎shaquilleoneal#stepsthemovie ‪#‎billiesblack ‪#‎allstarkaraoke ‪#‎MISS_JESSIES‪#‎MISSJESSIESBOOK ‪#‎TITIGIFT ‪#‎MIKOBRANCH ‪#‎MISTHarlem [Some social media: @ebhproductions for EDDIE HARRIS; @rockdaviscom for ROCK DAVIS; @jayscorsese for JAY RODRIGUEZ]


All Star Karaoke for ONE NIGHT ONLY


Billie’s Black PRESENTS All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley: ONE NIGHT ONLY last night was OFF THE CHAIN! And we are so EXCITED to have ushered in B2 --- the closing down of Billie’s Black for SIX WEEKS – at which time BILLIE’S will return SHINY AND NEW under the Creative Direction of Steve Harvey’s own Interior Design Expert/Personality Mikel Welch. DJMARIOTV captured the night beautifully! THANKS DJ MARIO:https://www.facebook.com/djmario.harlem/videos/1113579195381516/?pnref=story.unseen-section

HIGHLIGHTS included:

 

*Like we do every week – usually as our FINALE: #THEBOSSCHOIR: Excerpt Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153688858823737/?l=8846900760458209405 and Excerpt Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153688868348737/?l=852409540132990470


* MISS JESSIE'S giveaways: VIP bags for our special guests: NABJ Vice President-Broadcast Dorothy Tucker, CBS2 Anchor/Reporter and – via a recent Miko Branch media impression - I-Heart Radio Show Host (in town celebrating her birthday). Also, the cast of BLOOD AT THE ROOT – about Jena Six: Kenzie Ross, Allison Scarlet Jaye, and Stori Ayers were excited to walk away with their VIP MISS JESSIE’s bags as well:https://www.facebook.com/BloodAtTheRoot. 

* BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine with MISS JESSIE'S Co-Founder & CEO Miko Branch on the cover

* JOSEPH RILEY LAND GOURMET PANTRY (raffle for three amazing gift baskets – two at $75 each and one at $125 value): https://www.facebook.com/rileylandgourmetpantry/?fref=ts

* BILLIE'S BLACK ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE - presented by ALL STAR KARAOKE (December 2015 - extended through February 2016): Contemporary Artist Shenna Vaughn had ART for sell (SHENNA: "I Create Soulful Funk On Canvas to Create A Mind Blowing Experience"): http://www.shennavaughn.com/

* ANOTHER featured sponsor that we introduced during SEASON 4 of ALL STAR KARAOKE: SHOO NAIL POLISH - via its Founder and CEO Shawanda Vickers who donated 20 gift bags and TESTIFIED how her partnership in SEASON 4 (Fall 2015) led her to being covered in BLACK ENTERPRISE (Look out for it!). 

* TICKET GIVEAWAYS for BROADWAY/OFF-BROADWAY SHOWS:
Walk Tall Girl Productions – a pair of comps for TURN ME LOOSE: http://turnmelooseplay.com/
Walker International Communications Group, Inc – a pair of comps for BLOOD AT THE ROOT: https://www.facebook.com/BloodAtTheRoot and a SNEAK PEEK from the cast. 

* HARLEM SKIN & LASER CLINIC GIFT CARD - $175 (for raffle)

THANKS TO ALL! See you later, Billie’s Black! AND look for the return of BILLIE’S BLACK presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley in the FALL; however, we’ll be announcing some spot ALL STAR KARAOKE dates soon!
ALLSTARKARAOKE#MOTOWNMAY#StockYourPantry#missjessiesbookLegacy_of#TitiBranch#RileyLandGourmetPantry #BlackEnterprise#ShennaVaughn #ShooNailPolish#WalkTallGirlProductions #WICG#ShawandaVickers #SevenBrown #HarlemSkinCare#HarlemSkinAndLaserCare

 

MISS JESSIE’S has been on the road, hear?


1. MIKO'S BOOK "Miss Jessie's - Creating a Successful Business from Scratch...NATURALLY" is going to be released in paper back April 2017.


2. MISS JESSIE's is also in a promo window around a new product: MULTICULTURAL CURLS.


3. Miko Keynoted the MOREHOUSE INNOVATION EXPO 2016: http://www.morehouseinnovates.com: A Conversation about the Mindset of an Entrepreneur.


4. WHILE IN ATLANTA, SOME SPOT MEDIA:

REBEL LIFESTYLE w/Drea Nicole


ROLLING OUT in-studio interview


CBS RADIO interview in-studio interview


5. A PULSEBEAT.TV DETROIT EXCLUSIVE - interviewed by Pulsebeat.TV's award-winning multimedia journalist Greg Dunmore inside the franchise PULSEBEAT.TV "Greg Dunmore's Hot Happenings!!!" on WMYD TV20 Detroit… As it’s been airing in MOTOWN and surrounding areas since Sunday, indicators are that “MISS JESSIE’S IS A HIT”! Check it out here: http://pulsebeat.tv/?p=2201.


 6.  USA Today feature coming up in a few weeks…. Stay tuned!


 7.  Emmy-award-winning Berlinda Garnett, Producer at FOX 29 Philadelphia invited Miko to be a guest on Good Day Philadelphia: http://www.fox29.com/good-day. Hosts Alex Holley and Mike Jerrick conducted a GREAT INTERVIEW! AND DR. OZ WAS IN THE HOUSE! EXCITING!  http://www.fox29.com/Live.


8.  Philadelphia Sunday Sun also did an interview with Miko that day, care of Philly-based writer and President-Elect of PBPRS Monica Peters.


Oprah Where Are They Now?

I am still being heavily dispatched for recurring client OWN's "Oprah, Where Are They Now?" - including interviews that have already run this season:

 

 a. Carol's Daughter (Lisa Price):

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/founder-carols-daughter-overcoming-social-media-backlash


b. The Chew's Carla Hall:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/surprising-way-chef-carla-hall-found-passion


c. Coming up this Saturday, April 2nd: Nancy Grace:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/moment-nancy-grace-will-never-forget-o-j-simpson-trial


d. My Audra McDonald just aired:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE5EgP-a6Kc


e. My Iman airs this upcoming Saturday:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/iman-reveals-secrets-lasting-marriage-late-david-bowie

and

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/iman-says-quit-fashion-d-listers-like-paris-hilton

f. ...AND Honey Boo Boo/Mama June are coming up April 30th:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/peek-inside-mama-june-refrigerator


Street Talk

I'm also being retained this season by WENDY WILLIAMS in partnership with MetroPCS to produce the show's monthly, sponsored franchise: STREET TALK:

a. APRIL edition: https://youtu.be/2uuFdiQ_Mk0

b. MARCH edition: https://youtu.be/ETRlN_0FrU8

c. VALENTINE'S edition: https://youtu.be/j807PlmE9VU

d. JANUARY edition: https://youtu.be/vqobPt_ecNo

e. Our HOLIDAY EDITION from mid-December 2015: https://youtu.be/EGI3agscKDA

f.  Thanksgiving 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uwBc_wEzTE

g. WENDY/KMART: https://youtu.be/NJJcSZ7xJTw   #‎ShoppingIsFunAgain 

Let me know if you want to do one. Email me at patarack@hotmail.com and patarack_riley@yahoo.com


REST IN PRINCE

 

 If ALL STAR KARAOKE was up, we'd be doing a PRINCE night! I've LOVED Prince since he came out in the late '70s. He was an enrolling mystery of gargantuan talent that I followed closely from his launch to and through CONTROVERSY, 1999, the iconic PURPLE RAIN, Vanity, Apollonia, Sheila E, Sheena Easton's SUGAR WALLS...and each and every live show I saw from 1982 to - most recently - his August 2016 walk onto the stage at Paisley Park to greet all of the National Association of Black Journalists Conventioneers who loaded a dozen or so busses to hang out at Paisley Park and - if chosen - maybe we could touch the hem of his garment. I didn't get that close, but did indeed bask in being inside - all up and through - PAISLEY PARK. One show I'll always remember: December 19, 2010. Madison Square Garden. Sold Out! Ant & I were honored to be in the number that was sent a pair of comp tix from Prince's go-to publicist Yvette Noel-Schure. Ant delayed his flight to Denver for Christmas – giving us one more date night before we respectively parted ways to see our families. Like always, PRINCE was on FIRE! And performed just about EVERYTHING! WHAT A GIFT! THAT NIGHT! FOR MOST OF MY LIFE! FOREVER! "GLAD THAT YOU ARE FREE", PRINCE!

P.P.S. I've always wanted PRINCE and ROSS to collaborate. Here they are at the Diana - hosted American Music Awards in 1986. RIP #PRINCE

P.P.P.S. RIP PRINCE #NABJ40 You remember First Avenue Club 701 First St Minneapolis MN from Purple Rain!#PRINCE #MINTCONDITION ROCKED IT!

P.P.P.P.S. ‪#‎FLASHBACKFRIDAY‬ ‪#‎FBF‬ Am just thawing out to remember the degrees of separation with PRINCE. From my long-running stint as guest co-host at Arise Entertainment 360, I’m reminded that host Lola Ogunnaike and I got to interview author Alan Light on his new book "Let's Go Crazy!" – 30 years since the release of the iconic movie and soundtrack “Purple Rain”. Some treasured memories of memories in this clip: https://youtu.be/TKDXudN2yC0. One memory: Prince’s publicist Yvette Noel-Schure was so pleased with this interview that she told me she was going to share the link with His Royal Badness himself. Dig if you will a picture… RIP PRINCE!

 

 

MISS ROSS

The iconic Diana Ross headlines during Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage kickoff concert! One ICON LOST but HEALING that the MINISTER OF LOVE, MISS ROSS, could SERENADE the mourning crowd with her REPERTOIRE of JOY AND L'AMOUR! And SO MANY WERE THERE to WITNESS IT ALL - from Rev. Al Sharpton to Sherri Shepherd to Robert Townsend adn a boat-load more! #DianaRoss #FantasticVoyage16#TomJoynerCruise 

#PartyWithAPurpose #cruise#Miami #concert #BonVoyage


Posted on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 11:46PM by Registered CommenterTHE LIFE OF RILEY in , , , , , , , , | CommentsPost a Comment | References2 References

save these life of riley dates 2015

Hi fam!

A handful of SAVE THE DATES that I need you to consider --- pending details:

1. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH – ALL STAR KARAOKE

WE’LL BE THERE TONIGHT and every TUESDAY OF COURSE…. but NEXT Tuesday, November 17th at "Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE" with Patrick L. Riley, we’ll START CELEBRATING my 45th BIRTHDAY! SPECIAL GUESTS WILL BE IN THE HOUSE! Don’t forget to make your RESERVATIONS (whether tonight or any Tuesday) at Billie’s Black: 212.280.2248.


2. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH – PATRICK L. RILEY BIRTHDAY & STEPS FILM SCREENING (in Jersey City)

Shaquille O'Neal is Executive Producer of STEPS by Eddie Harris – a wonderful film in which I got the chance to make my “film acting debut”. To all my LIFE OF RILEY VIPs, YOU ARE INVITED to this special private event, which includes a partnership with St. Lucy's Shelter, Christ Hospital, Ocean Ave Baptist Church, other invited churches and community service organizations. Also in the house: Miss Jessie’s! Arrive on time! 7:00pm Doors Open

Trailer: http://Vimeo.com/142798556

Teaser: https://vimeo.com/135097155

Additional links:

Website: http://www.stepsthemovie.info

RSVP here: stepsthemovie2015@gmail.com

3. Sunday, November 22nd at MIST: an ALL STAR KARAOKE birthday brunch of a pre-Thanksgiving menu by Celebrity Chef Carlos Brown. 

Please join us and RSVP here:

www.eventbrite.com/e/mist-harlem-presents-all-star-karaoke-and-brunch-with-patrick-riley-tickets-19319414890!

4. MY NEW YORKERS! SAVE THE DATE: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1ST for details about a SPECIAL EVENT you are ALL INVITED TO ATTEND. It’s a 5p BOOK SIGNING of “AGAINST ALL ODDS: Celebrating Black Women in Medicine” by Crystal Emery

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/55554c6de4b075eeaec5736a/t/55cde72ee4b01e36b69c7e49/1439557436228/7.28.15+sampler.pdf.

IT WILL BE INSPIRING AND FUN to celebrate our DOCTOR SISTERS! And I will make an appearance before I head up to Billie’s Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley! WILL BE A FUN NIGHT! STAY TUNED!


5. IN PREVIEWS NOW!  “INVISIBLE THREAD” at SECOND STAGE THEATRE

DISCOUNT CODE: WICG …and get as low as $39-ticket per person, if you buy before December 2nd.

SECOND STAGE THEATRE presents
In association with AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER

INVISIBLE THREAD
BY MATT GOULD AND GRIFFIN MATTHEWS
CO-CHOREOGRAPHED BY DARRELL GRAND MOULTRIE
CHOREOGRAPHED BY SERGIO TRUJILLO
DIRECTED BY DIANE PAULUS

Second Stage Theatre
305 West 43rd Street @ 8th Avenue

"An awesomely powerful musical that will thrill you to the bones." - CBS

Determined to find his place in the world, 20-something Griffin leaves his job and his New York City apartment to volunteer for a charity in Africa. But when his altruistic aspirations collide with the real world, his life is changed in unexpected and profound ways. Inspired by a true story, this rousing new musical infuses a world pop score with African beats in an electrifying journey about discovering whether changing the world is even possible.

INVISIBLE THREAD runs approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes including one 15 minute intermission.
The performance begins promptly and there is absolutely NO late seating.


Posted on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 09:05AM by Registered CommenterTHE LIFE OF RILEY in , , , , , , , , | CommentsPost a Comment