A Special Place - Debbie Allen - Song of the Week

"A Special Place" performed by Debbie Allen comes frome the season 1 episode of the same name, written by William Goldstein and Sue Sheridan.

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We build our lives,
On hopes and dreams and trust.
Such fragile things as these can turn to dust.
And yet, when all you hoped for comes through.
When all you dreamed of comes true,
It's like magic, Magic.
 
Oh, this is a special place
The magic is here to see
And when it works the universe is dancing in time with me.

Oh, this is a special place
And though I may leave someday
In my heart will remain this very special place.

Because we care,
No matter where we go
We carry with us all this love and hope.
It keeps on echoing through these halls,
Singing through the windows and walls.
It's all magic, Magic.
 
Oh, this is a special place
The magic is here to see
And when it works the universe is dancing in time with me.

Oh, this is a special place
And though I may leave some day
in my heart will remain this very special place.
In my heart will remain this very special place.

Fame Calendar October 2019

Fame Calendar October 2019

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Liverpool Echo - How Fame Raised Money for Charity

I told you a story last November about a Detective Inspector with Merseyside Police and her fascination with the cast of Fame.
Sue Hinds has now become a friend and she made her dream come true with an added bonus - she raised money for claire house - in fact £27,830.68 plus the bucket collection because of the Fame UK reunion.

When I first heard her story I couldn’t believe how her love for Fame would finish up raising money for charity.
Let me touch on the story.
This piece of TV history was first aired in the UK on June 17, 1982.
Sue was just going into high school and she fell in love with the characters, energy and concept of the programme. All about a performing arts school in America.

Pete Price with Valerie from Fame

She could totally identify with one of the characters, Doris Schwartz and she was convinced that one day they would become friends, which they are.
Sue was telling me that her parents own a chip shop in Seaforth. Her job as a teenager was preparing the ECHO for wrapping the chips.
She would read the articles on Valerie Landsburg (Doris) who she was determined to become friends with.

She started writing letters, one day she got a reply and was over the moon.
They would write back and forth every so often, which built the foundation for a friendship.
They met in 2000 after 11 years of correspondence.
She told be she had fulfilled one of her dreams.
2015, seven members of the cast reformed for a charity concert in Italy, Valerie was one of them.

Sue went over and enjoyed meeting the rest of the cast.
She told me “I knew then I had to bring them to England. It was my mission to make it happen.”

They liked the idea - if I could find the right charity.
As well as working she is a carer for her mum, who suffers with Parkinsons and Dementia.
She went on to tell me that the only thing worse than caring for a sick parent would be caring for a sick child.

She looked around and found Claire House, the children’s hospice.

Pete Price with one of the stars of Fame

She knew straight away that’s where the money would go.
In 2017 she went to Los Angeles and pitched the idea.
She has never done anything like this in her life but the cast trusted her. After a lot of hard work, the plan came together.

The theatre was booked (she actually used her own money that she’d saved to renovate her house - saying that could be put on hold).
Sue said “I talked to the real fans and created a team of volunteers - they became Fame UK.
“I spoke to LIPA and LMA, they both agreed to get involved.
“I brought onboard some sponsors and everything was set.”

Pete with Claire House

Sue sold out her two shows and made it a complete reunion weekend.
After clearing all of the show’s expenses, they had made an impressive £29,191.23.
Sue Hinds couldn’t thank people enough.
One wonderful thing that also happened, a gentleman who wanted to remain anonymous, bought the Fame Gold Disc, for a lot of money, and then gifted it to Claire House where it now hangs on the wall.

The day before the show, the Fame cast visited Claire House, and didn’t want to leave, they couldn’t believe the love in this amazing place. This is why I am so proud to be a patron.

Congratulations Sue Hinds, on making your dream come true and putting together such a wonderful event for a wonderful cause.
PS. Don’t forget to watch me on Sunrise, Sky’s breakfast show, this Saturday reviewing the papers. (I’ll be the one in the branded Echo jacket)

Ebay of the Week

This week a Fame Badge

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Lee Curreri Crystal Heart Italian Posters 1986

Trivia of the Week - Jesse and Holly!

In a discussion with Nia Peeples about the relationships on "Fame" she revealed that originally Jesse and Nicole weren't meant to be a couple and that it was planned that Jesse and Holly would be a couple.

The great chemistry between Nia and Jesse led to the producers changing their plans for the characters' relationships.

Ester Spanish Picture Strip April 1985

The Spanish Version of Yesterday's TV TOPS Picture strip.

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Picture of the Week - PR Paul

PR Paul

Nia Peeples Heart Empowerment Thank You

Nia Peeples first Heart Empowered call took place on Sunday 22nd September.

To Sign up for future calls on September 29th, October 6th and October 13th go to the Human Harmonics Website

TV Tops 23rd April 1983 Picture Strip

TV Tops 23rd April 1983

With thanks to Paul Van Doodson

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If Anyone has the 24th September Issue then please contact us. 

Quote of the Week- Elizabeth Sherwood

Valerie Landsburg - Love & Debt Delayed to September 24th

Valerie Landsburg announces her move "Love & Debt" has been Delayed until September 24th 2019

Valerie Landsburg - Love and Debt Movie

 

The movie Valerie Landsburg has spent the last 4 years crowd funding for, directing and producing is now ready for it's online premiere  which will take place on Saturday 21st September. The movie which was originally called "Offer & Compromise" is now titled "Love and Debt" 

Valerie Stated "It's been a long road and we could not have done this without you. Thank you for hanging in there."

Valerie has been sending updates about the film via the crowd funding site Indiegogo If you are one of the backers of the film and haven't received Val's emails or have changed your email address Contact Val.

 

Watch and share the Trailer for the Film.

 

Nia Peeples Heart Empower Gathering

On Sunday 22nd September Nia Peeples will be hosting her first Heart Empowered call via Zoom.

Sign up and join Nia at the Human Harmonics Website

 

 

Ebay of the Week

This week a Fame Pin Badge

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Trivia of the Week - Loretta Chandler playing Drums

In Season 6 Dusty was often portrayed playing the Drums. In the Early Seasons on Fame there was no faking and what we saw on screen the actors could do in real life. However, Loretta Chandler has stated that she can't really play the drums and had to fake it on screen!

Picture of the Week - Lori Singer

Lori Signer Hi Kicks her way into the U.K. at Heathrow Airport 1982

TV Tops 17th September 1983 Picture Strip

TV Tops 17th September 1983

With thanks to Paul Van Doodson

 

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Quote of the Week - Christopher Donlon

Debbie Allen Accepts Lara Spencer's Apology

Debbie Allen Accepts Lara Spencer's Apology

Man in the Mirror - Song of the Week

All my life been trying to break through,
Pushing back against the odds, I paid my dues.
All my life been reaching for a dream,
  Feeling so unbeatable, going to extremes.

 But the man in the mirror says,:
Slow down, look back, turn around.
You can lose it all so easily.
The man in the mirror knows your fears,
Feels your pain, cries your tears.
How can I ignore him, how can I get free?
When the man in the mirror is me.

Underneath this cloud I'm flying low,
Maybe I'll be fighting back by letting go.
Rising high above this empty place
Never thinking of the obstacles I face.

 But the man in the mirror says
Slow down, look back, turn around
You can lose it all so easily.
The man in the mirror knows your fears
Feels your pain, cries your tears
How can I ignore him, how can I get free?
When the man in the mirror is…
When the man in the mirror is…
When the man in the mirror is me.

Ah I think I know him.

But the man in the mirror says,
Slow down, look back, turn around
You can lose it all so easily.
The man in the mirror knows your fears
Feels your pain, cries your tears.
How can I ignore him, how can I get free?
When the man in the mirror is me.

I think I, I think I know him
Oh yeah, I said I know him.
I know him

Quote of the Week - Holly Laird

Lee Curreri in Concert with Mode August 2019 - Fame

Lee Curreri in Concert with Mode August 2019 in Italy performing Fame
 (Thanks to Anna for sharing the video)

Fame U.K. Reunion Concert Tickets

Trivia of the Week - Fame Demo Tapes

During the Fame U.K. Reunion Jesse Borrego revealed that when he would get Demo tapes of the songs that had been selected for him to sing on Fame the tape would feature a guide vocal by a session musician. Frequently that musician would be James Ingram (pictured above with Debbie Allen with whom he became good friends)!

Jesse regrets not keeping those tapes. I wonder if any of them still exist? They would certainly be a great find!

TV Tops 10th September 1983 We're Gonna Live Forever

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Picture of the Week - Lee Curreri

Lee Curreri then and now by Karen Kerr

Ebay of the Week Special

The Fame U.K. Reunion merchandise sales are ending. Everything has been reduced to half price and includes: Pen, Coasters, T Shirts, Mugs, Poster, signed Photos, Programmes, Key Rings etc...

The auctions run until Thursday evening and then will end completely.

This is your last chance to buy the Fame U.K. Reunion merchandise.

View Auctions 

TV Tops 10th September 1983 Picture Strip

TV Tops 10th September 1983

With thanks to Paul Van Doodson

 

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Gonna Learn How To Fly Part 1 Official Photos