California dreams fans are on cloud nine after the original cast of the hit series reunited for the first time in over 25 years.
The teenage stars of the ’90s sitcom reunited Friday night to perform live at Stitch Bar & Blues in New York and engage with fans in a panel discussion, autograph signing and photo opportunities as part of the ’90s Dreams Fan Fest.
All nine members were present: Michael Cade (Sylvester “Sly” Winkle), Brentley Gore (Matt Garrison), Jay Anthony Franke (Jake Sommers), Aaron Jackson (Mark Winkle), William James Jones (Tony Wicks), Jennie Kwan ( Samantha “Sam” Woo), Kelly Packard (Tiffani Smith), Heidi Saban (Jenny Garrison) and Diana Uribe (Lorena Costa).
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From left: Aaron Jackson, Diana Uribe, William James Jones, Brentley Gore, Kelly Packard, Jay Anthony Franke, Jenny Kwan and Michael Cade at the “California Dreams” fan meet and greet at Stitch Bar & Blues on October 13 in New York City.
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“It was a magical day for us and the fans seemed to feel as good about it as we did. My heart is full,” Franke, 51, tells PEOPLE of the event, which was conceived and produced by Packard and Kwan.
“It was an amazing evening. The fans were thrilled and the band was great!” adds Jackson, 50. “I’m so happy to see my family after 30 years.”
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Aaron Jackson.
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Jay Anthony Franke. L: Inscription Aaron Jackson. PHOTO:
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R: Inscription by Jay Anthony Franke. PHOTO:
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Former teenagers California dreams returned to the 90s with a live concert where Packard and Franke and Winkle and Uribe danced together under the spotlight. The stars also reminisced about their days on set with the reunion of lovers Jake and Tiffani and Cade’s memories as the band’s manager, Sly.
Loyal fans sang along to the show’s greatest hits, and some even danced with Uribe. At one point they went on stage to share what California dreams means to them, including Gore’s female fan who has followed him since she was 13.
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Diana Uribe.
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The evening ended with a song California dreams theme song by the cast and their fans.
“There was so much magical energy at the show last night in New York. Everyone could feel it,” Gore, 49, tells PEOPLE. “People traveled from all over the world to be here, and the fans who couldn’t come are definitely begging for a tour.”
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Brentley Gore.
Steven Ferdman/Getty
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He continues: “They just couldn’t get enough, and neither could we! All these years later, we still feel relevant. Our fans are absolutely the best. I think it’s time to book more dates. The California dreams band rocks️.”
California dreams aired on NBC from 1992 to 1996 as part of the network’s Saturday morning lineup. The series followed a fictional West Coast band and the antics of its teenage members, while delivering plenty of catchy original songs along the way, including “Castles on Quicksand,” “One World” and “If You Only Knew.”
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From left: Aaron Jackson, Diana Uribe, Michael Cade, Kelly Packard, Jay Anthony Franke, Jennie Kwan, William James Jones, 1992-97.
Gary Null/TV Guide/NBC/Everett
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Franke previously told PEOPLE he “almost cried with joyous nostalgia” when he reunited with the cast for rehearsal Thursday, calling the moment a “flood” of memories.
“It’s like nothing has changed,” added the 50-year-old Kwan. “We’re like a big crazy family—but with just a few more wrinkles.”
Of meeting everyone for the first time, Jones, 48, said, “It felt like a high school reunion, a love and connection that remains timeless.”
Meanwhile, Uribe admitted that she was a little afraid of reuniting with her former colleagues.
“I was so nervous to reopen the last chapter of my life. As soon as I saw everything, there was a reconnection like we ended a week ago,” she said.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education