Heather Small's big soul - The Nation

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!

Pattaya People TV

An evening with Heather Small,
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."

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.

Thailand Interview

Heather Small gives an e-mail interview to a Thailand newspaper.

click to enlarge

Heather Small celebrates the Brit Awards 2010

Heather Small snapped on arrival of the Pre-Brits Blow out Party held at Bungalow 8 (London). February 15, 2010. 
You can see archive video footage of M People recieving their Brit Awards back in the 90's on the Brits' Official Site.

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.

__

Thailand Tour 2010

Heather is performs 3 concerts in Thailand in aid of Melissa Cosgrove Childrens Foundation.

2010 Thailand Tour DatesFriday 26th February - Bangkok, British Club Lawns
Saturday 27th February - Pattaya, Centara Grand Beach Resort
Tuesday 2nd March - Koh Samui, KC Resort

Buy Tickets: Total Reservation

.......................




[Press Release]
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
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

-

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]

Autumn Tour Support Acts

Lucy Noble will support Heather on the following five dates of her upcoming tour:

Saturday 14th November - Chichester Festival Theatre
Wednesday 18th November - Buxton Opera House
Thursday 19th November - Malvern Theatre
Monday 23rd November - Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Tuesday 24th November - The Winter Gardens, MargateHead over to Lucy's website to read her news article.

All other dates will be supported by the talented Lucy Rhodes. Check her out on MySpace.

And the last three dates will be supported by Stringfever:
Friday 27th November - Philharmonic Hall Tickets, Liverpool
Monday 30th November - De Montford HallTickets, Leicester
Tuesday 1st December - DONCASTER - Dome

"All You Need Is Love" - Music Video

[Watch the video]

"All You Need Is Love" - Featuring Heather Small

Heather Small will feature on the Children In Need Single, “ALL you need is love”.

[Single Release Date]
Download - 1st November
Physical Single - 9th November via HMV

[Album Release Date]
9th November - via Tesco, itunes and www.charitygoods.com

If you can't wait to hear it head over to BBC Iplayer here and fast forward to 1h 58 mins.

Heather lends her beautiful sounding vocals to the track, below Heather's lines are highlighted in purple:

"Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
Love is all you need.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.
There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you
in time.
It's easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
All you need is love (all together now)
All you need is love (everybody)
All you need is love, love, love is all you need."

Heather attends OMEGA Constellation opening

Heather Small and Linford Christie attend the launch of the OMEGA Constellation Collection. It was held on 15th October 2009 in London.

Heather on the Alan Titchmarsh show.

Heather performed Proud on the Alan Titchmarsh show today in promotion for her upcoming tour. You can watch it again for a limited time on the ITV Player.