Fernando Varela will preview his upcoming PBS special in a series of shows at Savannah Center on Feb. 23, 25 and 26. There will be two shows each day, at 5 and 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 to $50.
This is a stage homecoming of sorts for Varela. He started singing in The Villages nearly two decades ago and made his way to Savannah Center.
For the past few years, Varela has performed throughout the world at major concert venues. In The Villages, Varela usually performs at The Sharon.
Now he’s back at Savannah for a look at the music in his “Coming Home” TV special, to run on PBS later this year. Varela filmed most of that program recently in Orlando.
More than 800 Villagers made the trip to Orlando for that concert on 15 buses. Varela took time to acknowledge them and his Villages career during the concert.
“My career started in The Villages with Maestro Bill Doherty and Central Florida Lyric Opera. I met my wife (Susan) singing in The Villages.
“Bill’s here tonight and he’s playing a part in this concert. So are all the people coming from The Villages. They helped create me, and for me they are like family.”
Also at the Savannah Center concert, Varela will sing songs from album to be released on March 10. The audience will be invited to participate in a question and answer session during each show.