Homecoming - Reunited
Friday, October 24 - 7:00PM

On Friday October 24, 2025, a unique event will take place at Mary Winspear Theatre. “Homecoming- Reunited” will feature award winning vocalists and other notable musical acts from several different genres, all with common roots in Sidney BC.

Besides being an evening of topflight entertainment, “Homecoming -Reunited” is also a fundraiser, with proceeds from the concert and silent auction going to the Fine Arts Department of Parkland Secondary School. “It’s our way of giving back and of saying thanks for all the support and encouragement during those early years”, says Diane Pancel who will be on the bill and is also an alumni member.

Musicians on the bill include cabaret star Diane Pancel, opera sensation Sunny Shams, drummer Terry James, saxophonist Jerry Cook, singer songwriter Daniel Cook, Drishti Balaiah and special guest artist and Sidney resident, Ashley Wey.

Diane Pancel: Multi-award-winning recording artist and international cabaret star, Diane Pancel, is best known for her LA-based Ladies of Hollywood, Ladies of Song, and American Songbook cabaret hits. Known as the “queen of patter,” she is well loved for her ability to connect with the audience. An extremely versatile performer, Diane has performed alongside artists such as David Foster, Nelly Furtado, Leanne Rimes, Matt Dusk and recently with the Victoria Symphony. She has been featured multiple times on major television networks, has performed across the U.S. at major sporting events for the L.A. Kings, L.A. Galaxy, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and the US Women’s national Soccer team, and has recently been nominated for two International Portuguese Music Awards – best pop performance and song of the year. dianepancelmusic.com

Sunny Shams: With musical roots as a jazz singer and pianist, Sunny Shams began studying opera in 2006 at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, joining the UBC Opera Program in 2007. Sunny has been featured in Die Fledermaus, Don Giovanni, La bohème, and has performed with the Victoria and Vancouver Symphonies.

Terry James: An accomplished professional, drummer Terry James has collaborated with countless artists including Chrissy Steele, Diane Pancel, Katangis, Punish and The Sutcliffes.

Jerry Cook: Jerry Cook is a veteran saxophone player of the Canadian West Coast blues/jazz/roots music scene. Since moving to Vancouver in 1988, Jerry has established himself as a staple of the west coast music community. From recording and touring with artists such as Colin James and the legendary Powder Blues band, to dozens of local groups, event bands, original music projects & recording sessions, Jerry has kept himself very busy. In 2019, Jerry recorded his first album under his own name, “Walk in the Park”, which was officially released through Cellar Music on July 24, 2020.

Daniel Cook: Daniel Cook is both a singer songwriter who fuses contagious melodies with timeless stories creating a fresh brand of Original West Coast Roots Music, and a guitarist who blends melody and minimalism into a sweet mix of jazz and country guitar traditions. Since the early 1980s, Daniel has performed, written and recorded with many original BC bands, including Ngoma, East Vancouver’s quintessential hippy dance, drum, party ensemble, Bangers, one of Vancouver’s first instrumental acid jazz collectives, Lawnmower, a subterranean power punk trio, Solid 7, Victoria’s funk odyssey with Kia Kadiri & friends, and Washington & Cook, a Funkified Urban Jazz partnership with Maureen Washington. Daniel currently performs as a solo artist along with his trio, as well as with Daniel Cook & The Radiators.

Ashley Wey: Ashley Wey is a multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist. She has worked with Juno Award-winners Brandi Disterheft, Mae Moore, and The Parachute Club. She has toured across Canada coast to coast many times while working for Sony BMG, backing up Canadian Idol winners, as well as visited 56 countries with her Trio while working on cruise ships around the world. Ashley opened all the Solstice Class Ships on Celebrity Cruise lines with four-time Grammy Award winner Manny Kellough, Billy Preston and Barry Whites drummer. With three critically acclaimed, self-produced albums to her credit, Wey released her first album of entirely original music, Hummingbird – a genre-bending project melding alternative folk, pop, and jazz on July 7, 2021. With her 5th album in the works, you will surely hear a lot more music from this wonderful, talented woman.

Doors open at 6pm for this night to remember. It is a rare gathering of exceptional talent in support of a truly worthy cause. 
Sponsored by Parkland Alumni Association