Enjoy Everything We Have to Offer at
Villa Charities and Columbus Centre this Fall!
With a new season just around the corner, we are excited to welcome everyone back to the Villa Charities campus to enjoy a great lineup of fall programming! We’re bringing back your favourite offerings in arts and culture, language and athletics, along with some new programs and events.

Read on to see what Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre have to offer this fall!
 
We are resuming our very popular Cultural Tuesdays event series with engaging new presentations about Ennio Morricone, Italian Queer Readings and more. Our first presentation is on Tuesday, September 14, led by Dr. Franco Gallippi. We will also continue our Learn Italian by Doing Italian language program with new Art & Aperitivo and Book Club sessions.

Our art programs for adults return with both in-person and live virtual workshops led by professional artist and multi-award recipient Sam Paonessa. The 12-week Artista Painting Workshop focuses on oil or acrylic painting. At the same time, the 8-week Wildlife Painting Workshop will explore composition, importance of values, colour palette and painting techniques. For those who prefer to register for individual workshops, we invite you to explore our new Painting Masterclasses, beginning with “Light and Shadow,” on Thursday, September 16.
 
DanzArts Toronto will begin their fall term with classes starting on Monday, September 13. Recreational and Competitive programs offer training for all levels, from the beginner dancer to pre-professional, and adults who want to combine their love of dance with great exercise. Classes for this term include ballet, acrobatic, hip-hop, jazz and more! Columbus Centre School of Music programs also begin on September 13 and offer in-person and live virtual private lessons for piano, voice, violin, saxophone, and woodwind instruments.
 
Finally, the Columbus Centre Athletic Club continues to offer live and virtual group fitness programs, personal training, aquatics programs, tennis, squash and more, so you can get back into your fitness routine.

Visit our website to register and for more information about all our programming, and watch for further updates about new events and programs.
 
We can’t wait to see you on our campus again!
 
Villa Charities Honours Alex Muzzo
Villa Charities was very saddened to hear of the passing on August 24, 2021 of Alex Muzzo, a renowned and respected community builder.  Alex and his family were generous supporters of the Villa Charities organization over the past 50 years and Villa Colombo Vaughan since its inception. We express our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time.
Cultural Tuesdays Return with Ennio Morricone: In His Own Words
This 4-part lecture series commemorates the late composer Ennio Morricone by examining his career through his unforgettable film soundtracks, from Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns to Hollywood films by Quentin Tarantino. Inspired by his biography “Ennio Morricone: In His Own Words”, these lectures will reflect on Morricone’s personal experiences as a composer for Italian and international cinema while exploring the relationship between images and music. Join us for the first lecture on Tuesday, September 14 at 7:00pm.
Spaces Available at our Columbus Early Learning Centres
Spaces are now available for the fall at all of our Columbus Early Learning Centres locations. For more than 30 years, we have provided the highest quality of child care to those within our community between the ages of 18 months and 12 years. We are proud to offer diverse, engaging services that reflect the values on which we were founded. Columbus Early Learning Centres are taking every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of the children, families, and our staff, and we are following the guidelines from the Ministry of Education, City of Toronto, and Toronto Public Health.
Book Your Virtual One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with the CEO
You can have a virtual meeting with Marco DeVuono, Acting President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc., for a one-on-one conversation to answer any questions or to share your thoughts on our programs and services. These informal chats with Marco will be held using GoToMeeting on the 2nd Friday of every month, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Appointments are 20 minutes each and must be scheduled in advance. The next Friday Chats is scheduled for Friday, September 10. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 ext. 240 or email csimpson@villacharities.com.
Join us for Italian Parent & Tot Classes
L’ora dei bimbi is a unique and inspired Italian language program for parents and toddlers co-presented by Multilingual Kids and Villa Charities. Embrace your heritage while bonding with your child through songs, rhymes and stories. Join us every Saturday at 4:00pm at the Columbus Centre. For more information email sandra@multilingualkids.ca.
Villa Charities Celebrates 50 Years with Fun Facts
In recognition of our 50th anniversary this year, we’re sharing lots of fun and interactive social media content for the Villa Charities community. Celebrate #VCI50 with our Fun Fact Friday series. Did you know - Italy has a very broad and diverse architectural style that cannot be classified by period or region due to Italy's division into various small states until 1861. This has created a highly diverse and eclectic range in architectural designs. Follow us on our social media channels as we continue to celebrate our 50th anniversary.

Thank You for Helping Make the Ital-Canadian Golf Open a Success!
Thanks to everyone who participated in the inaugural Ital-Canadian Golf Open on August 30 in support of CIBPA Toronto, ICCO Canada, and Villa Charities Foundation! A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, LiUNA Ontario Provincial District Council and all our sponsors who made the day possible.
 
With your incredible support, we had a great event at Eagles Nest Golf Club and enjoyed a day of celebration while reuniting in an atmosphere of fun and friendship. With your help, we raised over $150,000! Funds will support programs provided by CIBPA Toronto, ICCO Canada, and Villa Charities Foundation, as well as scholarships and bursaries for students across the country.
We Still Need Your ‘Unprecedented’ Support - Please Donate Today
As vaccines roll out across the country and a renewed sense of hope emerges, we will continue to support our community in unprecedented ways. 
 
Our programs and services are made possible by the generosity of donors. We are reaching out today, asking YOU to donate to Villa Charities, in support of ongoing efforts to meet the needs of our evolving community.
 
It’s not too late! Please give generously today. YOU will directly support senior care, scholarships and youth services, cultural programs, and capital needs at Villa Charities.
 
 
Register Now for the Artista Painting Workshop
This 12-week painting workshop, led by professional artist and multi-award recipient Sam Paonessa, is for students who have a passion for painting and wish to further develop their skills. A variety of subject matter will be explored, including urban and abstract landscapes, wildlife and still life. Sam will provide inspiring demonstrations and helpful critiques through group and one-on-one instruction. On-site sessions begin Tuesday, September 14, in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery. For more information, click the link below.
 
Wildlife Painting Workshop Now Available
With a focus on wildlife studies, this 8-week virtual workshop beginning Wednesday, September 15, will explore composition, importance of values, colour palette and painting techniques. Students will choose their preferred wildlife subject and receive creative direction from instructor Sam Paonessa, professional artist and member of the Ontario Society of Artists. Classes are offered at limited capacity and are suited for adults of all skill levels with some prior painting experience. For more information, follow the link below.
 
New Painting Masterclasses Return for the Fall
Join professional artist and multi-award recipient Sam Paonessa as he guides you on creating your very own masterpiece while enhancing your understanding of specific painting techniques. These stand-alone workshops will focus on light, shadows and colour theory, and students will learn to capture light and paint convincing shadows. Register now for the “Light and Shadow” workshop on Thursday, September 16, at 6:30pm. For more information, follow the link below.
 
Spaces Still Available for Recreational Dance Programs at DanzArts Toronto
There is still time to register for fall classes at DanzArts Toronto at the Columbus Centre for dancers ages two and up! The Recreational program is designed to develop technical skills and foster artistic expression. Students may choose to enroll in one or several classes of any style, including tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, acrobatics, musical theatre and more. Never miss the chance to dance!
 
Registration for Columbus Centre School of Music’s Fall Term Now Open
Embrace your musical side! Registration for the Columbus Centre School of Music’s fall term is now open, for classes beginning September 13, 2021. We offer affordable and effective lessons for all instruments to kids, teens, adults, seniors or groups. From piano to voice lessons, our instructors offer in-person or virtual classes. Contact cultural@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 ext. 248 to join.
 
Columbus Centre Athletic Club and Pool Open for Indoor Operations
Be your best self this fall and join us for Athletic, Aquatic and Wellness programs and facilities at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club. Indoor programs are offered with capacity limits along with other restrictions and booking requirements for the pool and outdoor group fitness including spinning classes. Appointments for the main gym are not required. Outdoor and virtual programs and classes will also continue to be offered. Contact fitness@villacharities.com or visit our website for more information.
 
Hold Serve this Fall at the Columbus Centre Tennis Courts!
Summer may be coming to an end, but our tennis courts are still open! Register for outdoor tennis now. Games can be played in doubles. Book the court through October and get your body moving! Contactfitness@villacharities.com to learn more.
Virtual Group Fitness Classes Still Available
The Columbus Centre Athletic Club continues to offer virtual Group Fitness classes. Our certified instructors are offering courses six days a week! Check out Thursday's class – High-Intensity Interval Training. HIIT is a training technique in which you give all-out 100% effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise followed by short, sometimes active recovery periods. HIIT gets and keeps your heart rate up and burns more fat in less time. Monthly membership fees are only $24.99 + HST and include access to our full fitness class video library. For more information, visit our website and register today.
 
Now Accepting Applications for Casa Abruzzo Apartments
Villa Charities is accepting applications for one of our apartment buildings designed for seniors living within our community. Casa Abruzzo offers an independent living lifestyle to seniors with residences that provide excellent amenities and services in a central GTA location. Interested applicants aged 59+ are encouraged to fill out the contact form on our website today.