Heather Small's big soul
By Daniel Calderbank
Special to The Nation
Published on March 2, 2010 [available at nationmultimedia.com]
The British singer talks about her involvement with a children's foundation and the future of M-People
British soul singer Heather Small opened her three-date Thailand tour with a short but sweet set in the leafy grounds of the British Club in Bangkok last Friday.
On a day when Thailand was transfixed by the ruling of the assets of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, the theme of the M-People singer's concert was all about helping those with nothing, with proceeds going to the Melissa Cosgrove Children's Foundation, a not-for-profit charity to help orphans and children living in squalor.
The charity was created by Pattaya-based Brit Tracy Cosgrove in 2001 and has received international recognition for its work.
On a breezy night not conducive to good sound projection, Small's distinctive voice, accompanied by two female backing singers, compensated for the absence of a band with a powerful performance that featured hits from the heyday of the '90's Manchester club scene, an era when M-People won two Brit Awards and the Mercury Music Prize.
Opening with a "Sight for Sore Eyes", the singer ran through the Manchester band's greatest repertoire, including "One Night in Heaven", "How Can I love You More?", "Search for the Hero" and the band's signature tune "Moving On Up".
Aside from the M-People catalogue, Small also dipped into her own material with a rousing rendition of "Proud", the soundtrack to the successful London 2012 Olympic bid.
In the company of the British Ambassador and assorted Bangkok luminaries seated in the VIP area near the front of the stage, Small's rich voice enticed those roped off at the back to dance during the closing stages of the gig, which lasted a little over 45-minutes in total.
Ahead of the concert, The Nation chatted with Small about the Cosgrove charity and her own future with M-People, as the group celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Speaking of the foundation, she said, "Every child deserves to have a happy and peaceful environment, be educated and to be safe. That's a basic human right and I want to do anything I can to help Tracy's work.
"During this trip, I went to Burma to see schools and orphanages being built, which was very inspiring. The first thing I noticed is that the children [there] are allowed to be children and to be happy. They have been educated and they are safe. The children are looked after on a daily basis by local people, they are not taken out of their familiar environment. Home is home. They are also cared for by monks who bring calm, stillness and discipline."
On playing intimate concerts in Thailand, compared to previous gigs such as the Euro '96 Football Championship, where M-People played to 65,000 people at Manchester United's Old Trafford, Small said: "It's not the size of an audience that counts; it's the level of participation and appreciation that are more important."
And speaking of M-People's future, she commented: "It is 20 years since we started the band this year, so we might do something that is a celebration of that time. I'm not sure there will be more albums, but we will always do shows."
She also spoke briefly about today's plethora of "manufactured" singers from shows such as American Idol.
"I think performers should do their apprenticeship out on the road. There might be a short-cut to fame, but there is no short-cut to experience and when you are out there live, over time, you learn how to manage a crowd and with these new format shows, you can bypass all of that.
"One day you can be an unknown, then the next day you are famous and everyone expects you to deliver on an international scale and I don't think many people can do that."
Simon Cowell, take note!
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Pattaya People TV
An evening with Heather Small,
Taken from: pattayapeople.com
Taken from: pattayapeople.com
"A fundraising charity concert with world famous soul singer, Heather Small and guests, was held at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort on the evening of the 27th February. London born, Heather has been touring Thailand with her charity concert to raise money to support the Melissa Cosgrove Children Foundation, helping underprivileged children in Thailand and Burma. Heather’s distinctive voice has sold 10 million albums worldwide, including her solo album ‘Proud’ and her involvement with the popular M People group."
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Heather on Wave.fm Thailand
Heather Small appeared on Wave88.fm yesterday, Thailand's biggest English spoken radio station.
Here she is with DJ Paul Jackson, you can check out a selection of photos of Heather in the studio on the radio stations facebook page.
Here she is with DJ Paul Jackson, you can check out a selection of photos of Heather in the studio on the radio stations facebook page.
Thailand Interview
Heather Small gives an e-mail interview to a Thailand newspaper.
click to enlarge
click to enlarge
Monday, 15 February 2010
Heather Small celebrates the Brit Awards 2010
You can see archive video footage of M People recieving their Brit Awards back in the 90's on the Brits' Official Site.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Emma Cattell - Strong
Heather has been photographed as part of Emma Cattell's "Strong" collection. http://www.emmacattell.com/
Friday, 22 January 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Friday, 8 January 2010
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."
"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."
Thursday, 7 January 2010
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
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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