Emma Cattell - Strong

Heather has been photographed as part of Emma Cattell's "Strong" collection. http://www.emmacattell.com/

Dancing On Wheels - Episode 1

Dancing On Wheels - Episode 1 of 6
Thursday 11th February
21:00 - 22:00
BBC THREE

It's ballroom dancing like you've never seen before as Strictly Come Dancing's Brian Fortuna trains six wheelchair-users and their celebrity partners in the art of wheelchair ballroom dancing. The pairs have just five weeks to train for a series of weekly competitions before a panel of judges. Then, week by week, one couple will be eliminated with the winning duo going on to represent the UK in an International Wheelchair Dancing Competition in Tel Aviv. Over six programmes full of the glitz, glamour, tears and tantrums of competitive dance, Dancing On Wheels proves wheelchair ballroom dancing is just as graceful, glamorous and entertaining as able-bodied dancing. In the opening episode, the six meet their celebrity partners for the first time. They are briefed by choreographer Brian and make their first tentative moves on the dance floor. Three couples must learn the Cha Cha Cha while the others take on the Tango. Brian faces a monumental challenge. None of the wheelchair-users have ballroom danced before and while the celebrities either have experience from Strictly Come Dancing or dance training in their background, they are completely new to wheelchair ballroom dancing. And with the first performance just four weeks away, the pressure is on.

The celebrity dancers are M People's Heather Small, world champion swimmer Mark Foster, TV presenter Caroline Flack, Hollyoaks actor Kevin Sacre, actress and singer Michelle Gayle and rugby league legend Martin Offiah. After a month of training, throwing wheelies, pulling spins, running over toes and falling out of chairs, it's time to compete in front of the panel of judges for the first time. The judges are reigning Strictly Come Dancing champion, Ola Jordan, her husband, James Jordan (also from Strictly) and paralympic athlete Ade Adepitan.

In an emotional climax to the first episode, one couple is sent home as the others are left to battle it out in the following weeks to represent the UK at the European Championship of Wheelchair Dance Sport in Tel Aviv.

Dancing On Wheels - Introducing Heather Small and Paul Jacob

Heather donates clothes to raise money for Barnardo's

Heather helped one of her favorite charities "Barnardo's" by donating some items of her wardrobe to be sold in a special shop for the Charity.

"PUT YOURSELF IN DAME SHIRLEY'S SHOES
By Lorraine Connolly, Community Newswire

08 Jan 2010 - 15:09
Dame Shirley Bassey fans have a last chance to become the owner of a pair of the singing sensation's shoes and help vulnerable children at the same time.

The singer's donation to national children's charity Barnardo's has kicked off a bidding war among fans keen to secure the size six diamante-encrusted Yves Saint Laurent high heels.

With only a week to go until the silent auction closes next Friday, fans are being encouraged to make their final bids as quickly as possible.

Also for sale by silent auction and soon-to-be snapped up is a stunning outfit worn by Joan Collins' alter ego Alexis in the 80s soap opera smash Dynasty.

Gerard Cousins, director of retail and trading for Barnardo's, said: "This is a chance of a lifetime for someone to own a pair of designer shoes owned by one of the biggest singing sensations we have ever known.

"And some lucky person is also set to become the owner of a unique outfit worn by acting legend Joan Collins.

"The people who win these items will also know that their generous bid has helped to support disadvantaged children across the UK."

Dame Shirley and Joan Collins were among an array of stars and fashion icons who trawled through their wardrobes and donated glamorous outfits to support Barnardo's in the run up to Christmas. Other donations came from comedian Julian Clary, singers Alesha Dixon and Rachel Stevens, electro-pop ban La Roux, model Laura Bailey, 80s pop stars Lisa Stansfield and Carol Decker and M-People singer Heather Small.

The clothes and accessories flew off the shelves at the Barnardo's pop-up store in Carnaby Street and so far have raised £15,000.

All money raised from the silent auction and the Carnaby Street pop-up shop goes towards Barnardo's vital work in turning around the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK. This includes work with children affected by today's most urgent issues: poverty, homelessness, disability, bereavement and abuse.

Bids for Dame Shirley's shoes and Joan's Dynasty outfit are being accepted via silentauction@barnardos.org.uk until January 15.

Barnardo's works with more than 100,000 children, young people and their families in 415 specialised projects in local communities across the UK. For more information go to www.barnardos.org.uk."

Dancing On Wheels - Press Release

Dancing On Wheels



Wheelchair Dance Sport is something few Britons have heard of, even though it originated here. BBC Three aims to change all that with Dancing On Wheels, a glitzy and ground-breaking new series in which celebrities partner wheelchair users for a dance competition with a difference.

The couples must learn from scratch the art of Wheelchair Dance Sport. Although it started in Britain in the Sixties it never really caught on here, instead becoming popular internationally with competitions and championships held around the world. This series aims to put the sport back on the UK map with the eventual winners going forward to represent the UK at the Wheelchair Dance Sport European Championships.

Coached and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Brian Fortuna with help from his professional partner Kristina Rihanoff, the celebrity dancers – Heather Small, Mark Foster, Caroline Flack, Martin Offiah, Michelle Gayle and Kevin Sacre – partner wheelchair users from around the country, none of whom have ever attempted wheelchair dancing before.

Their dances, which include the waltz, cha cha cha, tango and rhumba, are judged by Strictly’s James and Ola Jordan and Paralympian Ade Adepitan who must choose which couple to eliminate from the competition each week.

The Dancing On Wheels website features information about the sport, while the exciting interactive You Be The Judge application allows users to test how well they can judge the skills and compare their views with choreographer Brian Fortuna. There will also be videos and updates on all those involved in the show and the opportunity for discussion and debate on the BBC Ouch! website.

KA

A Fever Media production

Head over the the BBC website to watch a preview video.

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Thailand Tour 2010

An EVENING with.... HEATHER SMALL

We are pleased to announce that HEATHER SMALL will be coming to THAILAND to perform ALL THE HITS for charity...LIVE!
4 CONCERTS
4 LOCATIONS
MILLIONS RAISED FOR CHARITY

After selling several million records, winning two Brit Awards and the Mercury Music Prize, performing across the globe and recording a track that has become an unofficial national anthem - international anthem even!

The Award Winning singer from M PEOPLE is without doubt one of the most successful female recording artists of recent years and she is coming to Thailand. Heather will be singing LIVE all the hits such as 'Moving On Up', 'One Night In Heaven' and 'Search For The Hero' and of course the Olympic Anthem “Proud”

The evenings are in support of the MELISSA COSGROVE CHILDRENS FOUNDATION and the fundraisers will be held over 4-nights in late February and early March.

DATES:
BANGKOK- BRITISH CLUB LAWNS on FRIDAY 26th FEBRUARY
PATTAYA- CENTARA GRAND BEACH RESORT on SATURDAY 27th FEBRUARY
PATTAYA- HARD ROCK on SUNDAY 28th FEBRUARY [TBC]
KOH SAMUI- KC RESORT on TUESDAY 02 MARCH

[NOTE: More INFO on all the shows and activity coming soon]

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
GIVING HOPE TO THOUSANDS

Award winning Fundraising guru Tracy Cosgrove has given hope to thousands of youngsters in Thailand through the Melissa Cosgrove Children's Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which she set up after seeing at first hand the terrible conditions in which many are forced to live.

Her transforming work in orphanages, street children's projects, and for Aids and disabled youngsters, has received international recognition - and inspired hundreds of people who have been touched by her courageous story.

Now based in Pattaya, Thailand the MCCF team is working alongside the booming construction industry to continue giving hope and improving the lives of children living with their parents in the many squalid labour camps around the cities of Pattaya and Bangkok.

The starting point is to try and give the child...
‘The day in the life of a child’
A decent meal... Some new clothes...
A fun swim... An education... And day care centres... Very basic things which we take for granted in the West but which these children do not receive...

DETAILS ON SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES please contact Tracy Cosgrove at travelswithmum@aol.co.uk or call
Thai / English speaking: 0843520309
English Speaking: 0843520299

PRESS ENQUIRIES, PR ACTIVITY AND EVENT INFORMATION please contact Ruskie at ruskiecleaver@gmail.com

Supported by the BIG organization
http://www.mccf.uk.com
http://www.bigorganization.ning.com [VIDEOS ON-LINE HERE]

Heather Small - Thailand Charity Dates 2010

Early next year Heather Small will be performing a set of Charity dates in Thailand.

The gigs are in aid of the Tracy Cosgrove Children's Foundation which helps under priveliged Children across Thailand.

Heather last performed for the accociated MCCF at a fundraiser held in Edinburgh's Jam House during November 2006.

It Takes Two : Strictly Ex Girls

An Evening of carols and performance in Chester Cathedral, 9th December 2009

Heather Small, Voice of M People performed at a beautiful evening of carols and performance at the Magnificent Chester Cathedral…In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

Supported by The Bank of America’s Fraud Department & Moneysupermarket.com, Macmillan Cancer Support’s annual Christmas Carol Concert at Chester Cathedral on Wednesday 9th December will be yet another amazing evening of Carols by Candlelight with special guest performer Heather Small, the voice of Manchester based band M People which sold over 10 million albums worldwide.
It will be an opportunity to celebrate anyone who has supported Macmillan however big or small!

The evening will be compared by Smooth Radio and there will be performances from the fantastic Heather Small, The City of Chester Brass Band, Centenary Theatre Company, Harmony in Blue & Ensemble Cymru. Not forgetting Diane Tice, a cellist who launched her professional music career with a performance of Elgars Cello Concerto in the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 1992 will be welcoming you into the Cathedral as you arrive with her beautiful sound.
And of course the evening would not be complete without a great selection of Christmas Carols for everybody to sing along to and enjoy.

Aimee Scally, Fundraising Manager said:
“We are all extremely excited about the Carol Concert. We have some wonderful performances again this year, and we hope to make it as magical as possible for everybody who attends. To have Heather perform is absolutely fantastic; It would be wonderful to see as much support for the event, the performers and most importantly people affected by cancer as possible.”

A great big thank you to The Bank of America, Fraud Department, and Moneysupermarket.com who are supporting the event; helping to make it possible. Adrian Stearns, European Fraud Executive at Bank of America said:
“Bank of America is delighted to be able to support the work of Macmillan Cancer Support and this year’s concert in particular”.

Sarah Hayden at Moneysupermarket.com said, “We are supporting Macmillan Cancer Support’s Christmas Carol Concert as part of our community initiative to help local charities. We are delighted to be supporting this event; Macmillan does a fantastic job of helping those whose lives have been affected by cancer."

To continue this vital work and to achieve our goal of reaching EVERYONE affected by Cancer, we need the support of people from the local area, no matter how big or small. I am sure you will agree that as one in three of us are diagnosed with Cancer at some point in our lives, cancer is something that affects us all.

SETLIST:
Close To A Miracle
Search For The Hero
Proud

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Buxton - Interview on BBC Radio Derby with Ed

Click here to head over to BBC I Player and fast forward to 2 hours in.

[Transcript / Write Up]

Buxton 'proud' to welcome Heather

Heather balances her music and television career with life as a new mum

If you thought you'd heard Heather Small's track 'Proud' a lot, you haven't heard anything yet.

As the official anthem of the London 2012 Olympics, the song is set for thousands of plays over the next three years.

It's more success in a glittering career which has seen Heather shift 10m albums worldwide with M People and as a solo artist.

And she promises to roll out all the hits at her Buxton Opera House concert.

Heather voiced several anthemic tracks as M People frontwoman in the nineties, including One Night in Heaven, Search For the Hero and Movin' On Up.

And as well as her international hit Proud (which was later used as the theme tune for Oprah Winfrey's television programme), Heather has made numerous television appearances in programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing and The Wright Stuff.

But it's back to the music now as she continues on an extensive UK tour which arrives at Buxton Opera House on Wednesday 18 November.

She told BBC Radio Derby's Ed George: "Most of the places on this tour are ones I haven't been to before and I will absolutely do my best for the people there.

"Some people say "A lot of the band members played with M People because I didn't want standards to drop so that's made the transition to performing solo concerts easier because they know me so well."

Fans attending the gig can expect a mix of solo material and M People favourites.

She explained: "I include those songs in this set because they've been good to me and I love them.

"Sometimes people say 'aren't you sick of playing that song?' and I tell them no because every audience is different.

"They appreciate what you do, you show them that you appreciate that and you do your best to make that experience a joyful one for everyone there."

Heather Small appears at the Buxton Opera House on Wednesday, 18 November.

[Source: BBC.co.uk]