Stay Engaged with Villa Charities
Following the direction of the public health authorities and Ontario government regarding the extended closure of non-essential businesses, please be advised that the suspension of on-site operations at Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre will continue. Although our on-site programming and facilities are temporarily closed, we want everyone in the Villa Charities community to feel supported, connected and engaged, as we stay home and do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. We will be sharing a variety of online and digital content so you can continue experiencing Italian culture and heritage while enjoying our programs and services from home!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram or visit our website for all our new digital content!

Please check our ‘COVID-19 Updates’ page for the latest updates on Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre operations.
Enjoy Readings of Poetry by Laureate Pier Giorgio Di Cicco
Born in Arezzo, Italy, Pier Giorgio Di Cicco served as the City of Toronto’s Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2009. He has written 13 books of poetry, and his prose focuses on the Italian Diaspora in North America, family conflict, spiritual identity and global problems. Beginning April 10, join DopoLavoro Teatrale actresses Danya Buonastella and Maddalena Vallecchi-Williams (stars of “The Nonna Monologues”) for video poetry readings of works by Di Cicco.

Journey Back in Time and Explore Italian History in the GTA
Join Professor Matteo Brera for " Pillole di storia Italo-Canadese – Five Minutes of Italian Canadiana." Beginning April 14, we will be sharing a series of short video clips that highlight the important moments in the history of Italian presence in the GTA.

Follow our Social Media Pages to Learn Italian Phrases and Recipes!
Be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for exclusive weekly content! Every Monday and Wednesday, we will be sharing different Italian words and phrases so you can learn the basics! Plus, look out for some of our favourite classic Italian recipes every Tuesday. Follow our social pages now and watch for our “Learn Italian with Us” or “Cook with Us” posts!

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Stay Active with Home Workout Videos from Columbus Centre Athletic Club
At the Columbus Centre Athletic Club, we are sharing a series of fitness videos to ensure you are maintaining your workout routine while staying fit and healthy from home! The first workout video includes Push-Up Shoulder Taps, Back Squats, Plank Split Hops, Kneeling Kick Back, Bent Over Row and Overhead Press. Please watch the video and then follow along with the workout description on our website. Try Home Workout #1 now!

Discover Your Musical Talent from the Comfort of Your Own Home
Do you have an instrument at home that you’ve always wanted to learn? The Columbus Centre School of Music is now offering online music classes! Our music instructors will be teaching private lessons virtually via apps such as ZOOM, FaceTime or Skype. Lessons are available in piano, vocal, violin, guitar and drums. Open to new and existing students. Contact us today to book your spot!

Enjoy a Free Online Painting Tutorial by Sam Paonessa
Enjoy this free tutorial on painting clouds and skies, led by Columbus Centre instructor/artist Sam Paonessa. In this tutorial, you’ll learn to paint wispy clouds and beautiful skies using the ‘stitch technique’. Sam will show you how to create your palette of colours and achieve the soft skies desired by every landscape artist. This tutorial is tailored towards adults with some prior painting experience.  

New Dates Announced for Giro and Golf Classic 2020
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis our spring fundraising events have been rescheduled. The 14th Annual Villa Charities Giro cycling fundraiser will now be held on Sunday, September 27 at the Veneto Centre, and the 44th Annual Villa Charities Golf Classic has been postponed to Wednesday, September 23 at Piper’s Heath Golf Club. Thank you to our registered participants and sponsors for their understanding and continued support. We look forward to seeing everyone in September!

Villa Colombo Helps Their Residents Stay Connected
Villa Colombo Toronto recognizes the profound impact that social distancing is having on families and friends who have loved ones living in the home. Given the current visiting restrictions, Villa Colombo Toronto has set-up video conferencing so that residents and their family members can connect using a variety of online platforms. Additionally, the home is facilitating window visits, where family members and residents can see each other separated by a window or door and speak to each other using a mobile device. To schedule a video conference or window visit with a resident, please call 416-789-2113 and select Option 3 to leave a detailed message.
DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT) Presents “Theatre on Call”
Toronto-based immersive theatre company DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT) along with Istituto Italiano di Cultura has launched “Theatre On-Call”, a festival of performances that will occur over the phone as well as other digital platforms, as a way to stay connected during these uncertain times. For tickets and online information, visit DLT’s website.