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Eagle eyed fans may have noticed that when Fame U.K. Reunion Mastermind and Producer Sue Hinds went up on stage at the end of the Monday concert, she was presented with a present by Valerie Landsburg. That present was a book detailing Sue's journey from pre teen fan to the leader of the Reunion. The cast and those of us involved in the journey wrote messages for Sue. Here's what mine said:
Eagle eyed fans may have noticed that when Fame U.K. Reunion Mastermind and Producer Sue Hinds went up on stage at the end of the Monday concert, she was presented with a present by Valerie Landsburg. That present was a book detailing Sue's journey from pre teen fan to the leader of the Reunion. The cast and those of us involved in the journey wrote messages for Sue. Here's what mine said:
"It’s amazing how when we meet people we never know how they will impact our lives, sometimes without even knowing it...
"It’s amazing how when we meet people we never know how they will impact our lives, sometimes without even knowing it...
After being friends on Facebook and in the “Fame” online community I first met Sue in person at the 2015 Reunion in Italy, well that is when I thought I first met her!
After being friends on Facebook and in the “Fame” online community I first met Sue in person at the 2015 Reunion in Italy, well that is when I thought I first met her!
The Italian Reunion was an amazing experience which had a huge emotional impact on me. No matter how much I’d dreamed I’d never expected to attend another “Fame” show after the 1983 concert I’d been to, so this was like a miracle to me.
The Italian Reunion was an amazing experience which had a huge emotional impact on me. No matter how much I’d dreamed I’d never expected to attend another “Fame” show after the 1983 concert I’d been to, so this was like a miracle to me.
Having arrived on a Friday afternoon, Michael and I went out to explore the little town but at that time everything was closed and there wasn’t a single person to be seen. After a little while we met three women coming towards us and I instantly recognised two of them being Sue and Penny. (Sue’s friend Anne was the third). As they approached Sue stated “I recognise that face”.
Having arrived on a Friday afternoon, Michael and I went out to explore the little town but at that time everything was closed and there wasn’t a single person to be seen. After a little while we met three women coming towards us and I instantly recognised two of them being Sue and Penny. (Sue’s friend Anne was the third). As they approached Sue stated “I recognise that face”.
We spent the next day and a half, as a small group of mainly British people sharing the wonderful experience of sitting in on rehearsals, attending the concert and the after show party. During the rehearsals Sue took the opportunity to go up on stage and experience being a Kid from Fame and sang and danced along to the finale of the theme song. I was happy to stay in my seat and watch.
We spent the next day and a half, as a small group of mainly British people sharing the wonderful experience of sitting in on rehearsals, attending the concert and the after show party. During the rehearsals Sue took the opportunity to go up on stage and experience being a Kid from Fame and sang and danced along to the finale of the theme song. I was happy to stay in my seat and watch.
At the end of the events Sue mentioned how we’d had all these chances to get photos with the cast and autographs but had left it until the after show party where we were competing with all the other fans trying to do the same. Still we hadn’t been thinking logically, just savouring every moment of this amazing journey.
At the end of the events Sue mentioned how we’d had all these chances to get photos with the cast and autographs but had left it until the after show party where we were competing with all the other fans trying to do the same. Still we hadn’t been thinking logically, just savouring every moment of this amazing journey.
As I travelled home tired and emotional from this wonderful experience of meeting the cast and the other fans I knew that this couldn’t be the end. I didn’t know how or when but I knew that we had to have a similar experience in the U.K. and I also knew that I had to be involved in it. Although at the time that also seemed pretty impossible.
As I travelled home tired and emotional from this wonderful experience of meeting the cast and the other fans I knew that this couldn’t be the end. I didn’t know how or when but I knew that we had to have a similar experience in the U.K. and I also knew that I had to be involved in it. Although at the time that also seemed pretty impossible.
Flash forward two years and again I found myself in the small Italian town of Salsomaggiore Terme for another Fame Reunion. This time things felt bigger and a couple of events were quickly arranged for the fans to meet up and interact. On the spur of the moment and fuelled by the emotional connection, we felt, a few of us even danced in the streets.
Flash forward two years and again I found myself in the small Italian town of Salsomaggiore Terme for another Fame Reunion. This time things felt bigger and a couple of events were quickly arranged for the fans to meet up and interact. On the spur of the moment and fuelled by the emotional connection, we felt, a few of us even danced in the streets.
I discovered Sue’s friendship with Valerie Landsburg, which I’d previously not been aware about. I recalled the time in 2001 when I’d met Valerie in London with a small group of fans at Starbucks in Leicester Square. I asked Sue if she’d been there and to my surprise I discovered that not only was she there but she had actually organised it all. Neither of us remembered the other from the event and we hadn’t really spoken. My excuse was that I was concentrating on Valerie as this was my first time meeting a Fame cast member. However it was a truly magical experience and I now realise that I have Sue to thank for creating an experience I would treasure forever. At that time I had no idea that the best was still to come and that Sue would be behind that too!
I discovered Sue’s friendship with Valerie Landsburg, which I’d previously not been aware about. I recalled the time in 2001 when I’d met Valerie in London with a small group of fans at Starbucks in Leicester Square. I asked Sue if she’d been there and to my surprise I discovered that not only was she there but she had actually organised it all. Neither of us remembered the other from the event and we hadn’t really spoken. My excuse was that I was concentrating on Valerie as this was my first time meeting a Fame cast member. However it was a truly magical experience and I now realise that I have Sue to thank for creating an experience I would treasure forever. At that time I had no idea that the best was still to come and that Sue would be behind that too!
At the after show party I was already on a high but when Sue told me she was planning a U.K. Reunion the excitement levels went into overload and I let her know that I’d love to be involved. Returning home from this Reunion I was even more hopeful that something would finally happen in the U.K.
At the after show party I was already on a high but when Sue told me she was planning a U.K. Reunion the excitement levels went into overload and I let her know that I’d love to be involved. Returning home from this Reunion I was even more hopeful that something would finally happen in the U.K.
A few weeks later Sue and I spent pretty much a whole day messaging back and forth with ideas for a reunion and I realised that she was not only serious about the Reunion but had quietly been working away on this idea and planning it for quite some time. She already had the cast in agreement to be involved.
A few weeks later Sue and I spent pretty much a whole day messaging back and forth with ideas for a reunion and I realised that she was not only serious about the Reunion but had quietly been working away on this idea and planning it for quite some time. She already had the cast in agreement to be involved.
From there it’s been a yearlong nonstop emotional rollercoaster of a ride. At times totally exhilarating and at times totally draining but through it all Sue has remained strong and determined, taking each hurdle in her stride.
From there it’s been a yearlong nonstop emotional rollercoaster of a ride. At times totally exhilarating and at times totally draining but through it all Sue has remained strong and determined, taking each hurdle in her stride.
So here we are on the other side of the road. OMG words fail me now.... but tears are flowing...
So here we are on the other side of the road. OMG words fail me now.... but tears are flowing...
We owe a huge thanks to Sue who has Dared to Dream and made the Impossible become a reality. Not only making my dreams come true, again, but also the dreams of hundreds of U.K. Fame fans.
We owe a huge thanks to Sue who has Dared to Dream and made the Impossible become a reality. Not only making my dreams come true, again, but also the dreams of hundreds of U.K. Fame fans.
We are eternally grateful.
We are eternally grateful.
Thank you and keep on Daring to Dream,
Thank you and keep on Daring to Dream,
Much Love,
Much Love,
Mark x"
Mark x"
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