A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

TEA CAKE’S LEGACY

I'll soon be wrapping up a freelance project with recurring producing client; still managing some other projects for which I'm being retained; and will - of course - take any meetings for any other good-fit fare. Meanwhile, PLEASE check out my latest on-cam/on-the-mic hosting duties via this link: http://www.thegreenespace.org/events/thegreenespace/2012/sep/17/their-eyes-were-watching-god-teacakes-legacy/. Over the past year, The Greene Space has produced a series of events to honor the 75th anniversary of Zora Neale Hurston’s seminal novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” These events included panels with such luminaries as Sonia Sanchez, Ruby Dee, and Alice Walker, as well as a live radio drama recording featuring Phylicia Rashad, Ruben Santiago Hudson, and Leslie Uggams. I covered much of it – including an awesome panel earlier this year: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/1/27/black-tales.html.  To culminate this series of events, The Greene Space produced a panel discussion that looks at the work through a male lens (as in "Tea Cake"). I moderated the multi-platform discussion for NY Public Radio (with on-line video streaming technology as well) at The Greene Space located in SoHo...and what a great time we had waxing philosophical - from the male perspective - about "Teacake and Janie". My guests included award-winning poet and author Carl Hancock Rux (who doubled as panelist and poet - performing an original work entitled "Windows" commissioned by the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space); Caldecott-award-winning writer Arthur Yorinks (who adapted "Their Eyes Were Watching God" for The Greene Space's radio drama); Brandon Dirden who played Teacake in the radio drama and is currently starring in Topdog/Underdog at Two Rivers Theater. And my namesake and long-time friend Patrik Henry Bass, senior editor of Essence magazine. Was also a pleasure to be stage managed by dear friend Nikki Johnson who is ALWAYS THE BEST!     

WORKIN' OVERTIME 

Another spot ON-CAM gig I did recently is host the red carpet launch of UBC-TV NETWORKS – freshly launched channel out of Harlem.

So far, I've only hosted their launch event: https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=295251087249668. I may continue to do spot personality work for the promising start-up, but will not be hosting any of its first roll-out shows as originally reported. BIGGEST OF CONGRATULATIONS to Peggy Dodson and her team!

ROBBIE & TIM ARE BACK!

We’ve been singing the praises of OWN’s “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” since before it hit the airwaves – having met Miss Robbie and Tim when they came to NYC to promote it last year: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2011/11/10/put-me-to-the-test.html.  Now, it’s an undeniable HIT! www.oprah.com/sweetiepies.  A gathering recently at Newark’s Loft 47 Bistro (www.loft47bistro.com)  brought Ant and me back in the company of our favorites, Miss Robbie and Tim – both of whom showed us LOTS OF LOVE when they saw us in the room. Tim even shouted us out to the rest of those in attendance. Also, I stumbled into a childhood role model, Cheryl Washington, whose works on “Showbiz TONIGHT” in the ‘80s/’90s is one of my inspirations for being in the biz. CONGRATS, Miss Robbie and Tim. See you soon! #SWEETIE PIES #NEWARK

TASHA SMITH, NATALIE COLE, VANESSA WILLIAMS, & MORE!

Back in February 2012 during Fashion Week, I'd mentioned that one of my BFFs Carl Nelson invited me to experience designer OMAR SALAM's Four Seasons Hotel presentation. Well, Omar was selected as the top designer to show his Spring Summer 2013 Collection in this year's Harlem Fashion Row (http://www.harlemsfashionrow.com/HFR2012Invite/), which is a true honor.

The show took place at the Jazz and Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall. Inside the packed house of 400 people or so, my many industry friends and fam - from too many walks of my life to mention, but all of whom I've chronicled in my blog.

Was also cool to see my BFF Sidra's identical twin Tasha Smith of Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?" & & "For Better or For Worse" uber-fame; VH-1's hit "Hollywood Exes"-own Nicole Murphy (who was Omar's star model); the LEGENDARY Natalie Cole; and - OMG! - one of my AB FABs Vanessa Williams!!!  

Worth also noting that my Amazing Grace BFF Mara Schiavocampo (who adds adjunct journalism grad school professor to her already-impressive credential as NBC News Correspondent) invited me to join her for a pre-Fashion-Show cocktail at Stone Rose Lounge AND our girlfriend from Norway Elisabeth Blix was in town to keep the party going - from the event to the Hudson Hotel's courtyard terrance to Club Therapy.

MY SIDRA & ANGELA DAVIS

CONGRATS to my BFF Sidra Smith - one of the producers on "Free Angela & All Political Prisoners", which premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival at Toy Thompson Hall in Toronto. Will Smith; Jada Pinkett Smith, and Jay Z are Executive Producers on the compelling project directed by Shola Lynch. <I smell OSCAR! LOL!> http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/2012-toronto-film-festival-premieres-slideshow/free-angela-political-prisoners-premiere-20120909-235628-706.html

TYRA BANKS, THE HAMPTONS, AND MORE

Sure, Tyra Banks was among the guests...but we all felt like Superstars as a chariot took 50 or so of us from NYC to The Hamptons one recent weekend to celebrate Red-Rooster's own Derek Fleming who has been a friend for over ten years now - from Brooklyn to Chicago and now-Harlem, we've shared some fun and thoughtful times. I'm honored to have been invited to participate in this fete alongside many Harlem friends, Red Rooster owner Marcus Samuelson, and a host of others. GREAT NIGHT - chockful of new and old friends!

DR. RONA ALLEN, HERVE AIMABLE, AND MORE!

Shout out to our friend Trevor Hartmon and MR. Kofi Bannerman for inviting us to a private jazz party with lots of great networking energy in the midst. The organic night was held at the beautiful Englewood, NJ home of Michael J. Torres and Dr. Rona Allen whose stage name includes the name of the ensemble she leads “Rona Allen’s In the Light Band” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S1xSOtpOLg).  And other special musicians performed as well. What a special evening with a house full of FABULOUS people – including my friend Herve Aimable (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/3/28/love-is-in-control-finger-on-the-trigger.html)! Thanks Trevor and Kofi… and our neighbors Michael and Dr. Rona!

ALICIA IN NYC

A friend and actual co-worker since 2000 until just –last year by way of my recurring client in ChicagO, I was so excited to dine alfresco with friend-for-life Alicia Bailey who is currently a diva-promo-producer at HGTV in Knoxville, TN. In town for business, she popped by my current, recurring client (this week) in NYC to say HI (to two more former Harpo pros with whom I’m currently enjoying some professional Summer/Fall 2012 days at our mutual client BET, Ramona & Blair). To punctuate our reunion: crab cakes and Caesar salad at The Bryant Park Grill where we ran into what some say is Mr. Obama’s doppelganger, but I know him as “brother”: my Morehouse brother Imar Hutchins who happens to also be a “Son of Oprah” who I had a hand (and many feet) in producing at one of her big SURPRISE FAREWELL shows: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150194744863737&set=a.10150194744438737.310643.662073736&type=3&theater.

CELESTE RIP

As I readied for a project I am working on in the city, THE READING OF THE NAMES was - of course - on! My friend; editor; and fellow NYABJ/NABY member Celeste Victora was in the number in 2001. This cut-away of her BEAUTIFUL FACE this morning stilled me! Here are my thoughts from that week in 2001: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/a-letter-from-ground-zero-91101.html  RIP to Celeste and ALL OF THOSE WE LOST!

LABOR DAY FUN!

SUNDAE SERMON!

KARAOKE!

Summer's done but KARAOKE FUN is still going down - in a new location TenthRail Lounge - hosted by my former-fellow-NO-PARKING host (while I was doing ALL-STAR KARAOKE THURSDAY at NATIVE): MARIO!!!! Every MONDAY, you should pop by from 7p-12am! Happy Hour! Food! Drink specials of the FROZEN kind! AND MORE! GO MARIO! GO!

CARLOS KING & JAMIE FOSTER BROWN

My FAB friend Jamie Foster Brown features our beloved Carlos King in this month's Sister 2 Sister Magazine! AWESOME PROFILE! Proud to call him friend and happy his lens has even captured me a time or two when he was producing on the team that chronicled the behind-the-scenes of my Chicago client's last season. CONGRATS CARLOS KING! XO

CHRIS TUCKER & THE APOLLO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Announcement:
AEG Live Presents:
Guess Who’s Back Tour
Chris Tucker
Live at the
Apollo Theater

Thursday, December 13 and Friday, December 14 Both Shows at 8pm

Tickets Go on Sale Friday, September 21st at 10AM


(New York NY, September 17, 2012) – Comedian and actor Chris Tucker will make a triumphant return to stand up comedy with his Guess Who’s Back Tour presented by AEG Live. As part of the tour, Tucker will take the Apollo Theater stage for two nights on Thursday, December 13 and Friday, December 14 at 8pm. Tickets will go on sale Friday, September 21st at 10am.

Hailed as one of the funniest comics in the industry, Tucker is no stranger to the Apollo stage. At the beginning of his career, Tucker performed at Apollo’s legendary Amateur Night and would come back o the Theater several times throughout his career including as host of the Apollo’s Annual Spring Gala in 2007. This performance will mark the comedian/actor’s first time headlining a show at the legendary Theater.

Tickets are $49.50 and $69.50 and are available at www.apollotheater.org; in person at the Apollo Theater Box Office, 125th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues; over the phone at 212/531-5305 or (800) 745-3000; and on www.ticketmaster.com.

Oh! If I could be two (or even more) places at one time. Or if I could just be present with what is and where I am – in the moment. Instead, I’m managing my five weeks in ATL while looking ahead feverishly to where I’ll lay my head for low-or-no cost while in L.A. on an assignment through October. But there are two welcome short spells in NYC – one work-related; and one slight hiatus [READ: just enough time to switch out my drawers] before I hit Tampa for a week (NABJ Convention - www.nabj.org) followed by that aforementioned two months in L.A. And notwithstanding a couple of beloved sponsors (and the payroll that will only roll out week-by-week and has me catching up on arrears), I have to ensure I can bankroll travel and hotel incidentals; meals; and the many bills before me. WHEW!!!! HEADY and WEIGHTY stuff... and - TRUTH BE TOLD - it feels OVERWHELMING sometimes. But unlike the Whitney of the past on which current Whitney reflects, "I (DO) know my own strength!!!!" And I will make it through. [Heard Nippy's new one, by the way? www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u9INHSQ6mQ].

Oh! And inside all of that, Ant and I must maintain as best a connection/communication as possible with our mutually demanding, respective schedules – especially my around-the-clock demands - that make catch-up time virtually impossible. Some days are better than others for me when we can't speak. Other times, I wile out from the loneliness and the distance. And though he's less a complainer and more apt to just accept it as it is (in those moments) than I am, I know it's rough for him too. But we will get it in – hopefully with several visits in whichever aforementioned location. ACCEPTING ALL PRAYER, MY PEEPS because it is ALL MORE THAN A NOTION!!!!! And I know you understand for whatever your challenges may be. But I had to get that off my chest. THANKS FOR LISTENING...

SO, since touching down in Atlanta, I have hit the ground running with my latest project (which like my first ATL project will premiere on BET – the former August 25^th; the latter October 27^th) – Details later when I can actually talk about it. But it's reality TV - a new frontier for me!!!! Long shooting days have kept me creatively and physically busy – even exhausted, but grateful for a meantime revenue stream. And Ant has been working mad hours in NYC as “The Wendy Williams Show” (www.wendyshow.com/) has finally premiered on FOX affiliates nationwide (and BET). Her first guest was our Vanessa Williams (www.vanessawilliams.com/) whose mother "Gaga" (Helen) is likely the show's biggest fan (Loves her some Ant too).

(Too, Ant’s been hitting some hot sets and holding it down on our behalf – including the 20^th Anniversary of “Do The Right Thing” screening and after party - www.amazon.com/Do-Right-Thing...Anniversary/.../B0024EWP6W) as well as a screening of independent film “Ink”, a spiritual thriller about the power of destiny that some of his Denver folks produced.

My home away from home – this go around – is (again) the TWELVE Hotel in Atlantic Station (www.TwelveHotels.com). My neighbors happen to be the cast of Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married 2?” (www.tylerperry.com). Well, at least some of them are staying here. Hot off of seeing and hanging out with her twin sister Sidra in L.A., I stumbled into Tasha Smith with whom Ant and I hung out at the premiere of the original flick. Malik Yoba is in the house as well as Sharon Leal. When we checked in, Janet Jackson was – of course – with her family in L.A. (and may I say what a wonderful send-off to Michael Jackson at his memorial. So touching! Such honor! So much LOVE!). I was also excited to find that my college buddy Danni was staying here as she was working on one of BET’s new game shows “Pay It Off” which my friend Kim Coles is hosting (www.bet.com). And her now-grown daughter Le-Le is now married and was visiting Danni in Atlanta along with her husband Jason and another dear friend. It’s been 14 years since I’ve seen Danni and Le-Le. What a great reunion that was!!!

I also got to spend time with my “Original Amazing Grace”, best friend Natalie who is a very busy career woman/mother/wife. But she took some time to take me to my favorite restaurant Houston’s (www.hillstone.com). Another time she came and rescued me from a fast-moving depression and talked me lovingly through some challenges. And my Nichole, who is again here in Atlanta with me for this leg, came out to say HI. Of course, I had to capture it.

And though I missed Beyonce this go around as scheduling didn’t allow (though tickets came through), Ant and I will always have Manila where she serenaded me Happy Birthday! I too had to miss “The Wiz” with my friend LaChanze but Ant and our friends Ern, Patrice, Keron, and Kimberly went… and had a blast I hear. Of course, “The Wiz” has been on everyone’s minds with the passing of Michael Jackson. I can’t stop playing this clip of MJ and DR on her 1981 special: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BfvzaSxkSY. In fact, while at soul food joint “Mrs. Bs on 4^th” in Birmingham (on a day shoot), I stumbled into a little boy named Tarek who insists he is the next Michael Jackson who some years ago told the boy how talented he was.

Speaking of Diana (Aren’t I always? LOL!): Remember “American Idol” Taylor Hicks? Well, he’s remade a song my Diana recorded on her 1991 “Force Behind The Power” CD. Diana’s “Battlefield” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRRIztNC). Taylor’s “I Live On a Battlefield” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMkEhvnVo4Y).

The sounds of Diana Ross (some remixes from the aforementioned project) and Jennifer Holliday were piping through the speakers at “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Dwight’s home for the 4^th of July. My friend Lamoh invited me to join him for the festive celebration. (I know Dwight via my ‘platonic boo’ Carl Nelson). Dwight was ever the gracious host – piling me a plate to go plus a bottle of wine. Truly a class act all around, I look forward to seeing the new season of the show. Afterwards, Lamoh and I hit a set in Douglasville. Another night, we hung out at Tapas Restaurant Eros (www.erostapas.com), which turns into quite the disco scene. We also did a stint at “Harlem Bar” (www.harlembaratlanta.com).

You recall, my friend Greg and I met with Ryan of designer firm Hugh Simms (www.hughsimms.com). Well, I sported the “Gentlemen Johnny” for a Sunday at the Intercontinental Buckhead (www.ichotelsgroup.com). Well, you can now find these looks in high-end department store Segal’s (www.fredsegal.com).

As small world’s go, remember I mentioned how Ant is booking opera burlesque diva “Black Betty” at The Velvet Lounge in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (www.velvetbrooklyn.com/). Well, it turns out an audio guy and friend with whom I work sometimes, Khalif, is her longtime friend and manager. Khalif is here in Atlanta where we uncovered this small-world tidbit.  Meanwhile, my Morehouse brother and friend Khalid is in town on business and we’ve had the chance to hang out a little. He’s here cutting some deals for a couple of animation projects. And he was featured in an image on the cover of a recent issue of Black MBA Magazine (www.blackmbaonline.com/).

And I attended V103’s Car & Bike Show (www.v-103.com/) which featured many and plenty from Atlanta’s entertainment scene – including The Dream, Christina Milian, Bustah Rhymes, Chilli, ‘Housewives’ Kandi & Sheree, Outkast’s Big Boi, and ‘the legendary’ Miss Sophia - the only one with whom I got a picture as I was working and staying focused. But my colleague Steve insisted I get this one.

My assignment here wraps July 29^th at which time I will return to NYC for a week before heading to Tampa, then L.A. for two months. But this weekend, I am scheduled to hit NYC for a couple of days (on assignment). Will be great to take in The Big Apple (and see Ant), if only for a night or two. Reminds me of this night in the mid-90s when my college mates Z, Cassandra, and I were getting our feet wet in New York City (along with this fabulous shirt that I must find and remix: It's vintage now! LOL!).