A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

... IF MISS ROSS GOES!

A lot is being said about "B-BOY BLUES", the movie that is being adapted from the book which chronicles the love story of two men who shared their love in New York City's '90s hip hop culture (www.bboybluesthemovie.com). We also hear that "Noah's Arc" is not coming back to LOGO, but will supposedly be a feature film next year. Then, before all of this, there was E. Lynn Harris' "Invisible Life", a book I remember reading in 1992 before I came out of the closet. In the the two hundred-plus pages of that novel,  a New York City-man (from the south - Alabama) named Raymond comes to terms with his homo-sexuality, after a long and harrowing drama surrounding his confusion. So much of the content in this book would foreshadow experiences I would have, once I moved from Atlanta to New York City. Well, Tony-award-winning legend George Faison (who choreographed and won the Tony for "The Wiz") is directing "Invisible Life" (The Musical) featuring the music and lyrics of Ashford & Simpson. George invited me to a READING held the other night at "THE APOLLO" and it is truly a work-in-progress with much promise. (www.INVISIBLELIFE.org). The script is written by Proteus Spann and Stanley Bennett Clay, who also wrote some of the music/lyrics. The performers for the special reading were pulled from many walks of theater and life - some newcomers (like Zoei Morris, who I had a chance to meet recently as she was hosting - a day job -  at VOYAGE Restaurant) and some known veterans from the recording industry (like Tony Terry, Victor "Trent" Cook, and Natalie Wilson). Natalie plays Raymond's mother and sings a song that brought tears to my eyes as the words came out of her mouth (in addition to the melody). Since my mom was a singer too, it was as if Natalie was singing to me and it reminded me of what I would have wanted to hear from my mother's lips had I an opportunity to come out to her. (She died in July 1994, a few years before I would begin the journey of "coming out" of the closet). Thanks to George Faison, who is letting me share these lyrics here in "A Day in the Life of Riley: Pop Culture & Possibilities":

Spike Lee's wife Tonya was in attendance as was Leslie Lewis Sword ("Miracle in Rwanda"). And of course, Ashford & Simpson were in attendance - taking bows for their wonderful new music that promises to inspire another generation. When I told George how touched I was by the song and the show and what it means to me, he asked "Well, don't you think your mother knew?". And I guess she did. But I wasn't clear with myself at the time, but got more clear in the years that would follow her passing. I too remember the times she would "protect" me - if you will - by telling me not to walk a certain way or hold my bag a certain way or how not to do this or that ("like a girl"). Also, when I told my friend Murphy of how moved I was by the book and the piece-in-progress, he laughed at me and said "You have never lived an 'invisible life'". And at this evolved phase in my life, that's nice to hear.  In fact, my attending "Invisible Life" got in the way of a benefit I've supported since it's inception six years ago: LIVE OUT LOUD Gala & Scholarship Presentation which awards scholarships to five incredible LGBT high school graduates. (www.liveoutloud.info). I want to shout out my friend Leo Preziosi, Jr., Founder and President of LIVE OUT LOUD... and let him know that I was still out in the world, being "HEARD",,, and "VISIBLE".

Everybody is still abuzz with Rosie O'Donnell's news that she's leaving "THE VIEW" after just a year. I'm a bit indifferent, I must say, but I will miss the lesbian/gay presence on the panel - even if it shows up a bit off-center and angry when she sometimes charges after people half-cocked and half-baked inside of her criticisms (READ: Kelly Ripa and Clay Aiken). Well, it turns out that Rosie is featured in the upcoming "TIME" Magazine as one of its "100 most influential people". The criteria are people "who helped dictate international dialogue". The article reads: "Rosie O'Donnell. The TV host who loves to fight". Barbara Walters actually wrote the article.

With that, someone may soon be commenting on the "gay" who was booked on "Our World with Black Enterprise" hosted by Ed Gordon. The "gay" would be me. And my Amazing Grace Nichole Shellman is a talent coordinator for the show. Inside of her mission to beef up her bookings for "Our World" and in her support of the tier of my branding that is a "personality/pop culture analyst", she asked me to join Ed, author Cora Daniels, and political consultant Walter Fields for a roundtable that was designed around author Cora Daniels' book "Ghettonation" (www.coradaniels.com/). In the book, Cora argues that we have become a nation -- white and black -- with a "ghetto" mentality defined by living for the moment, brazen bling, sexual irresponsibility and perpetual adolescence. Daniels sees this destructive, superficial attitude founded on the most racist notion of what black "means" especially damaging for the black community. And we all went there and talked about it - openly and honestly. We too looked at other related issues. At times, I felt like I was putting my foot in my mouth (and my Nichole says she was right there with me, but from the control room). Still, I know I spoke honestly and in the moment... and in the words of Aunt Esther from "Sanford and Son", "THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE". You must tune in when it airs on Sunday, May 26th. Check your local listings as it's nationally syndicated. (www.ourworld.blackenterprise.com/ ) Also, it airs on TV One. (www.tvoneonline.com/) Let me know your thoughts.

The end of April is a celebratory time for people in my life. My dad's birthday is on the 27th of April. At 73, he and his wife spent his special weekend on Tybee Island in Savannah, Georgia, their home. (www.tybeeisland.com/). I sent him a card and a chunky gift card to some of his favorite restaurants. Three of my closest girlfriends boast birthdays on April 27 and the 28th - Chandra, Elise, and my Tata. I sent messages to the former two as Chandra is in Atlanta and my Elise was in Paris, France on her day for business. But Ern and I took Tata to family-style Italian restaurant Carmine's for a huge meal of shrimp scampi, porterhouse steak, chicken marsala, and a host of other fixin's. (www.carminesnyc.com/). We had a great time of sharing and connecting before I had to go to the airport to pick up my Anthony, who was returning "home" from his home of Denver, where he had spent the last week actually celebrating his birthday and taking care of business. Since he was away on April 22nd (his actual birthday), I had an itinerary of love and joy set up for his return. We hit the ground running by going to my Morehouse brother Chad Groom's set at the nightclub SECRET in the area of Chelsea's club row. We danced the night away and enjoyed being back in each other's presence (I had been traveling alongside his time in Denver... and I was missing him. We had a great time. And my Frankie and some of his friends joined us. Anthony's celebration was on... and popping! The next day, Anthony and I slept in, but then we got up to have a bit of an afternoon in Manhattan. We got haircuts before going to have an early dinner at Saigon 48 in the theater district. Then, we had our full circle moment on Broadway. You'll recall, Anthony and I met the opening night of "The Color Purple" on Broadway. I thought it would be great (and Anthony agreed) if we saw one of our favorites Fantasia in the role of Celie in the Broadway musical. It made for an inspired and entertaining night. Of course, you know I love LaChanze, the Tony-award-winning actress from "The Color Purple" who is also my dear friend. But Miss Fantasia definitely showed up brilliantly in a way that we didn't see in her Lifetime movie about her life. She was present, funny, emotional in all the right places, and that voice. Let me tell you about that voice. She turned those songs into even more of a religious experience as - it appears - she was channeling her own story and its connectedness to Celie. We - at points - were in tears. And to have her playing opposite my friend Angela Robinson (in as Shug Avery on this night), who shouted us out during the bows/finale (as I non-verbally introduced her to Anthony and she gave me a thumbs up from the stage). Afterwards, we met our favorites Jason & Marquise; Marlynn; Dante & Marcus (along with their friend Stephen from Switzerland). First, "The Ritz" in New York City (on Restaurant Row, 46th Street). From there, we went for an encore night at SECRET. We had the best time - catching up with the other couples and counting our blessings.  On Sunday, we joined Marlynn, Michael K. Watts, Jason, and Marquise for brunch at Mamajuana Cafe. Then, we went to "DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON", the annual affair that my friend Carl Nelson produces for Lotus Music & Dance (and the City of New York) http://www.lotusarts.com). It's a festival that includes an open-air powwow including Native American craft demonstrations, storytelling, and a festival of world dance traditions that share the drum as live musical accompaniment. Demonstrations of shad planking and tasting by The Hudson River Conservancy, fine Native American art and crafts, and international foods round out the festival festivities. It was a lot of fun. That afternoon, Anthony and I went to a restaurant where his friend Marcos works: VOYAGE in Greenwich Village. Marcos makes the best rum punch, which got us nice and primed for our evening festivities. Mind your business... (but let's say there were dollars and dancers). And that capped off our wonderful weekend. But before we could call it a wrap on the festivities, our Monday and Tuesday of this week gave us the chance to enjoy some more "festive" times together. On Monday, Anthony and I went to see my friend Nancy Hirsch's client Eric Lewis (www.nhirschgroup.com), a pianist and unique spirit who I've had the chance to get to know over the years. He used to play with Wynton Marsalis and was doing his solo set at Zinc Bar in SOHO (www.ericlewisgroove.com). Zinc is a really cozy (READ: cramped) spot. But we got the chance to hear the sounds of Eric that the nation got to hear at the end of GIRLFRIENDS' last season, an episode on which he played "Puerto Rico" at a party. On Tuesday, we had a nice dinner at the Maritime Hotel (www.themaritimehotel.com/) atop Hiro Ballroom where we were too late to see Robin Thicke perform for a "People" Magazine party. Then, we got the chance to hang out with Reverand Run's daughters Vanessa and Angela Simmons (www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/runs_house/series.jhtml ), who invited everybody out to ULTRA (nymag.com/listings/bar/Ultra/) to celebrate the launch of their new footwear line: "PASTRY" (kinda' like a birthday cake).

I got the chance to hang out with my Amazing Grace Nichole and her New Rochelle posse Michelle and Monica. Additionally, a couple of Monica's friends joined us. We all met in New York City's meat-packing district at The Buddha Bar (http://www.buddhabarnyc.com/). Over great sushi and seafood, I was the "fish" out of water called "ladies night". But I managed to float and eventually begin to swim amongst this group, who seemed to appreciate some of my relationship advice as I navigate through a new relationship with Anthony. Clearly, I don't have all the answers, but I've got some tools that are working to keep us afloat... and we are armored to navigate through those pieces that put us in conflict sometimes. Regardless, Monica and the girls were a captive audience and I too enjoyed their sharings about love, sex, and everything in between. Considering the backdrop of this beautiful restaurant which boasts a BIG BUDDHA as its centerpiece, we experienced so much joy that we didn't want the night to end. From there, we walked over to PLUMM, which conjured many memories of when I used to hang out what PLUMM used to be, NELL'S, a popular nightspot that housed much of the hip-hop/R&B sect of the '90s, including Tupac (and the infamous act he allegedly had done to him that got him in trouble with the law for statutory rape). When I moved to New York in the mid-'90s, I used to hang out at NELL's with my Chandra, Tata, and many of our other friends. VIBE Magazine would throw great sets and showcases and we really had a lovely time. And fast-forward about twelve years, the ladies and I re-created those wonderful times... if only for one night.

Meanwhile, my good friends at N - owners Nikoa (pictured below); Larry; and Lenn along with my good friend/N stylist Jamar - have been throwing some great sets at their store and nearby Ginger just in time for this reluctant spring. Last Wednesday, I went to N for its introduction of a new jewelry line by Louvee (www.louvee.com). The line of unique, hand-crafted jewelry ranges from 18 to 22 karat gold fused with a color palette of precious and semi-precious stones. Designer Julia Byrnes was there (

www.nharlemnewyork.com/

) for the launch along with Harlem's best and brightest. Tonight, N is having its first Wednesdays blast at N (featuring art and cocktails) followed by healthy asian cuisine at Ginger. (www.gingerexpress.com/press.html) Good times in Harlem! Come on out...!!!