GivingTuesday is Around the Corner!
Donate Early to Support our Cultural Programs
Each year, Villa Charities presents more than 85 free community events that celebrate and promote Italian culture. From unique exhibitions in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, to popular “Ballo Liscio” social dancing nights, the Columbus Centre continues to be a destination for Italian cultural programming in Toronto. Donations from the community are crucial to enhancing our cultural programs, and every donation makes a difference. On Tuesday, December 3, charities around the globe will be celebrating GivingTuesday, a global day of giving. Please consider supporting cultural programs at Villa Charities by donating on this day. Or better yet don’t wait, make your #GivingTuesday donation today!

Last Chance to Reserve a Table for our Piemonte Theme Night Dinner
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy our Piemonte Theme Night Dinner at Ristorante Boccaccio tomorrow, Friday, November 22 at 7pm. Well known for having one of Italy's best wine regions and establishing the roots of Vermouth, this region is synonymous with cheese, truffles and zabaglione cream. Join us for an evening sampling wholesome and rich Piemontese specialties including Brasato di Manzo con Polenta al Mascarpone, vitello tonnato, risotto, truffles and many more dishes from the "land at the foot of the mountains." Make a reservation now!

World Premiere of “The Nonna Monologues” Opens December 6
Buy your tickets now for our world premiere original production of “The Nonna Monologues”, December 6 – 22 at the Columbus Centre. Presented by Villa Charities, this new production features three performers who will regale the audience with their epic Nonna stories and secret family recipes, each competing for the honour of being voted as the winner of this hilarious ‘Nonna challenge’ at the end of the show. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the holidays with this cozy and convivial theatrical experience with holiday treats.

Get Your Tickets Now for the Vesuvius Ensemble Christmas Performance
Presented by Villa Charities and Centro Scuola, we invite you to join us for “Quanno Nascette Ninno: Christmas In Southern Italy” featuring the Vesuvius Ensemble on Thursday, December 12 at 7pm in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery. The Vesuvius Ensemble’s Christmas program offers Toronto audiences a way to experience the unique musical traditions of the Southern Italian countryside.

Participate in our Focus Group for Young Adults
We are looking for young adults (ages 18 – 35) who are part of the Villa Charities community to participate in a small discussion group related to the strategic plan that VCI is currently developing. The session will be held on Wednesday, December 4 from 6pm – 8:30pm at the Columbus Centre. Dinner will be served. If you are interested, please contact Heather Sipprell at The Strategic Counsel at hsipprell@thestrategiccounsel.com or 416-975-4465 ext. 281 for more information and to register.
Make Your Own Polenta in Final Fall Term Culinary Workshop
In partnership with Cucinato Italian Culinary Studio, join us for our interactive culinary workshops and make your own Italian favourites. Register for the final workshop of the fall term on Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30pm, where we will be cooking Piatto della Montagna – Polenta con Contorni di Stagione / From the Mountains, Polenta with Seasonal Sides. Workshops include a communal meal to enjoy your culinary creations with the other participants.

Try Your Hand at Impressionist Painting in our Interactive Workshops
Our Impressionist Painting workshops for adults is the perfect opportunity for beginners to express themselves by following easy, step-by-step demonstrations and learning new artistic skills. Join us for our next workshop on Thursday, December 5 at 6:30pm at the Columbus Centre, where we will be crafting our own interpretations of Claude Monet’s classic painting, “The Esterel Mountains”. Classes are available for $40 + HST per person. All materials including paint and a canvas will be provided.
 
Dance the Night Away at “Ballo Liscio” (Social Dancing)
Back by popular demand! Join us on Thursday, December 5 at 7pm for “Ballo Liscio”, an evening of social dancing at Sala Caboto. Free event and no RSVP required. 

Book Your Holiday Office Party at Ristorante Boccaccio
Savour authentic Italian cuisine and host your holiday party at Ristorante Boccaccio at the Columbus Centre! Enjoy a group luncheon, dinner or client entertaining with delicious entrées such as Ravioli d’Anatra and Cavatelli alle Verdure. Contact us now to reserve your table.

Discover Valuable Nutrition Information at Cultural Tuesdays
Don’t miss the final lecture of our current free Cultural Tuesdays series at the Columbus Centre, “Eat Well, Be Well” on Tuesday, November 26 at 7pm. Presented by Registered Dietitian and food enthusiast Susan Camargo, discover how to enhance your health with science-based nutrition information that encourages positive lifestyle change.

Visit the “Immersed” Exhibition at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery
“Immersed” is a collection of paintings and drawing by Toronto artist, Aurora Pagano. The works invite the viewer to dive into the wet and wondrous metropolis of the ocean for an extraordinary adventure. Pagano presents the awkward, fragile, devoted and beautiful creatures as they risk predators, displacement, fight for dominance, and establish social structures while facing extinction. Visit the exhibition in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery until January 3!

DanzArts Toronto Students Featured in New Commercial
Some of our DanzArts Toronto dancers were selected to be featured in the latest commercial for the dance accessory brand, “Rac N Roll.” Congratulations to Celina Ferreira, Alyssa Scocco, Alessandra Franco and Emma Murdocca! Check out the commercial by clicking the link below and don’t miss your chance to register for our Recreational Dance programs at the Columbus Centre!

Columbus Centre School of Music Students to Perform at Winter Recital
The Columbus Centre School of Music students will showcase their talents in the upcoming recital “A Winter Spectacular” on Sunday, December 1 at 2pm in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery at the Columbus Centre. Registration is also open now for winter term lessons at the School of Music. Register today and discover your musical talents!

Celebrate New Year's Eve at the Columbus Event Centre
Kick off the New Year with style at the Columbus Event Centre’s annual New Year’s Eve Gala! Join us for the arrival of 2020 at Sala Caboto for what is sure to be a memorable night with an antipasto bar, gourmet seated dinner, deluxe open bar, musical entertainment and lots of dancing. Tickets are available for $110 per person ($50 for children ages 4-10). RSVP today!

Early Bird Registration on Now for Villa Charities Giro 2020
We are gearing up for the 14th Annual Villa Charities Giro cycling fundraiser presented by Lady York Foods on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at the Veneto Centre in Woodbridge. Sign up online with our Early Bird Special before December 31 and you will receive FREE registration (regular $100). Register for Giro today!

Residents at Casa Abruzzo Commemorate Remembrance Day
On November 11, the residents at Casa Abruzzo gathered for a communal meal and commemorated Remembrance Day through song and prayer, in honour of those who served and sacrificed for our freedom.

Don’t Miss “A Winter Wonderland” - An Afternoon of Christmas Favourites
In partnership with the Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary, join the Italian Canadian Symphony Orchesta for a performance of the Nutcracker Suite and more, featuring soloists Sara Papini and Rocco Rupolo. Enjoy a fun afternoon for all ages, full of caroling, baked goods and special guests. Funds raised will help support Villa Colombo Toronto to purchase new beds for the residents. Buy tickets online or call 416-789-2113 ext. 2260.

Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary to Host Christmas Pasta Bingo
Join the Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary for Christmas Pasta Bingo on November 27, 2019 at Sala Caboto. Tickets are $40 and the event includes a pasta and salad dinner, traditional Christmas treats and three Bingo games with dabber. For tickets, please contact the VCTA Office at 416-789-2113 ext. 2260 or VCLA@villacolombo.on.ca .

Villa Colombo Vaughan Celebrates 13th Anniversary
On Monday, November 4, Villa Colombo Vaughan celebrated its 13th Anniversary with a party for the staff and residents. All in attendance enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of delicious food and dancing. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to Villa Colombo Vaughan to help us deliver compassionate care and remarkable service to our residents. 

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra presents "O Come, Shepherds"
Experience an Italian Baroque Christmas with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Toronto’s Vesuvius Ensemble with special guest, Tommaso Sollazzo. Festive Baroque meets folk with elegant concertos by Italian composers alongside traditional music of Southern Italy, and the sound of the zampogna, a central part of Italian Christmas festivities.
Friends of Villa Charities save 20%! Use promo code ITAL20 online, in-person, or call (416) 964-6337. Valid for regular tickets only in sections A or B for performances on December 4 – 7, 2019. Offer expires December 8, 2019 at 11:59pm.