Parkland Alumni Association Presents
A Musical Homecoming 
Friday, September 20 - 7:00PM

“A Musical Homecoming” showcases several successful artists originally from Sidney who have gone on to impressive careers and significant achievements in the world of performing arts.

Sidney, BC – On Friday September 20th, 2024, a unique event will take place at Mary Winspear Theatre. “A Musical Homecoming” 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, “A Musical Homecoming” 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, featured vocalist who will be travelling home from performance dates in Europe for the event.

Musicians on the bill include cabaret star Diane Pancel, opera sensation Sunny Shams, Ryan Price – known for his afternoon show on CFAX as well as his band Low Winter Sun, drummer Terry James, international fiddler Nellie Quinn, saxophonist Jerry Cook, singer songwriter Daniel Cook, and Drishti Balaiah.

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, and Matt Dusk. 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.

Low Winter Sun: Low Winter Sun blends the songwriting of Corey Polkinghorne (rhythm guitar, vocals) and Ryan Price (lead guitar, vocals), laid over the beats of Trevor Morrison (drums, percussion) and dialed up to eleven, with Amy Houston’s melodic rock-cello. Low Winter Sun draws inspiration from temperamental Vancouver Island and from the diverse musical backgrounds of the four band members resulting in catchy, unvarnished tunes delivered with a contagious energy that you’re going to love

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

Nellie Quinn: Fiddler Nellie Quinn is rapidly gaining attention in the Canadian folk music scene. Known as an outstanding musician, captivating performer and versatile interpreter of Canadian traditional music, Nellie belies her young age through the depth and maturity of her music developed from traveling across North America and the United Kingdom to study under some of the world’s best fiddler players.

Nellie inherited her great grandfather's fiddle – a gift that she has made good use of becoming proficient in several different genres of music, recording with Indie Band ‘Italian Edition’ and recording her original tunes and traditional folk music on her band’s recently released CD ‘From Past to Present’. Nellie has recently performed with the ‘British Columbia Fiddle Orchestra’ for over 40,000 people at the Victoria Canada day celebrations, and ‘Twisted String’, a string group formed by Juno-nominated composer Oliver Schroer.

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.

Drishti Balaiah: Drishti, currently a grade 12 student at Parkland Secondary, will perform alongside this roster of seasoned musical professionals shining a spotlight on the tie that binds these talented artists together.