Seniors Celebrate Porchetta and Speducci Day at the Columbus Centre
On October 17th, Villa Charities hosted a Community Sunday event for the residents of our seniors’ apartments, as we celebrated Porchetta and Speducci Day at the Columbus Centre. Seniors enjoyed a delicious meal of porchetta sandwiches, grilled speducci and fresh pasta, and Italian singer and performer Bruno Nesci was also there to entertain the crowd with his classic Italian folk songs.

Villa Charites knows the importance of giving back to our seniors, and what better way than celebrating with Italian cuisine! Everyone had a fantastic time with great food, drinks and friends. Thank you to all the Board members and staff who volunteered. Special thanks to Vicentina Fine Foods for their generosity and the wonderful food they provided.
Villa Charities and Columbus Centre
Remove Capacity Restrictions
As of October 25th, we have removed capacity restrictions for on-site programs and services at Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre. Please note that other COVID-19 safety measures remain in effect as applicable, including masking. All patrons and members entering our facilities must also provide proof of double vaccination, as per the organizational vaccine policy. We would like to assure our Athletic Club members that given the size of our large main gym, which is about 9,000 square feet, and our ongoing COVID-19 protocols, we are providing them with a very safe and comfortable environment for working out. 

Villa Charities also recently completed the installation of new NoviFresh® post-filters throughout the Columbus Centre, including our administrative offices and facilities for our tenants, TLN Media Group, Leonardo Da Vinci Academy and Academy of Realist Art. The Columbus Centre is the first building to benefit from the new and unique NoviFresh® post-filter technology, which reduces airborne pathogens including COVID-19 and improves air quality. This latest upgrade project is part of our ongoing commitment to provide safe workplaces and facilities for our staff, patrons and visitors.

We look forward to welcoming more patrons and members back to the campus! Check the COVID-19 Updates page for full details.
 
Villa Cucina Combines a Delicious Cooking and Tasting Experience
Join us for our new Villa Cucina cooking class series, and experience authentic Italian dishes with professional Chef, Luciano Schipano. Each week, Chef Schipano and his team will discuss new dishes in detail and provide step-by-step demonstrations. Participants will learn hands-on cooking techniques, how to best use essential ingredients and foolproof recipes to recreate for family and friends. Each evening ends as you sit back, taste and experience the prepared feast, together with fellow participants. Our second class, “Fresh Pasta Making: Fettuccine & Pappardelle”, is Wednesday, November 3 at 6:30pm.
 
Take “A Journey Through Italian Food and Culture” with our Cultural Tuesdays Presentations
Join Teresa Lobalsamo, Ph.D., on a four-part culinary tour of Italy as we explore the relationship between Italian food and culture, through art, literature, cinema, and our own histories. For the first lecture, savour the meanings behind foods depicted in masterpieces by Bellini and Caravaggio and delve into the significance of specific dishes and recipes mentioned in Goldoni, Camilleri, and others’ literary works of art. We hope to see you for “Food Symbolism in Visual and Literary Arts,” on Tuesday, November 2 at 7:00pm.
 
Ballo Liscio, Our Weekly Dance Nights, Make Their Return!
Our popular music and dancing nights return! Join us every Wednesday at the Columbus Centre from October 27 to December 15 at 7:00pm for our free social dancing nights with live musical performances! Mask or face covering required. Proof of double vaccination is required to enter the facilities.
 
Practice Your Italian with our Learn Italian by Doing Workshops
Don’t miss any of our virtual language workshops with our Learn Italian by Doing program this fall! From our book clubs (“Racconti in Italiano” and “Club del Libro”) and exploring the history and culture of Italy (“Travel through Italy”) to our casual conversation session (“Art & Aperitivo”), there is a workshop for everybody. Join us in a relaxed and “simpatico” atmosphere outside of a traditional classroom to learn or just to polish your Italian!
 
Cultural Tuesdays: “Ennio Morricone: In His Own Words” Continues with Third Lecture
This four-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 third lecture, “Mystery and Craftsmanship,” on Tuesday, November 30 at 7:00pm.
Book Your Virtual One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with the CEO
You can have a virtual meeting with Marco DeVuono, 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, November 12. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 ext. 240 or email csimpson@villacharities.com.
Villa Charities Celebrates 50 Years with Fun Fact Fridays!
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 - the Italian flag’s tricoloured vertical stripes are known as Il Tricolore in Italian. The three colours on the flag are Green, White and Red. Green represents hope, White represents faith, and Red represents charity. Follow us on our social media channels as we continue to celebrate our 50th anniversary!
 
Work Out Together with our Fall Group Fitness Classes
Group fitness classes at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club are now available indoors in our studios as well as virtually! From spinning and Circuit 55+ to high-energy ZUMBA®, we have a wide range of group classes that are included with your membership. Proof of vaccination is required for entry. Advance registration is also required online through the Antaris Member portal for in-studio classes. Need more motivation? Personal training is also available virtually, on-site in the main gym or in a private studio.
 
Please note that beginning November 1, 2021, the Columbus Centre Athletic Club will resume regular hours of operation. Check the website for details.
 
Premium Group Fitness Programs Including Four Different Yoga Classes Available
Our Fall 2021 Premium Group Fitness Programs are available at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club for Members and Non-Members. Sign up for a variety of Yoga classes such as Hatha Yoga, Gentle Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Vinyasa Yoga. You can also try Olympic-Style Noncontact Boxing! Register via email at fitness@villacharities.com, in person at our Membership Office during office hours or call 416-789-7011 ext. 231.
 
Register for November’s Painting Masterclass, “Atmospheric Effect”
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. This stand-alone workshop will focus on atmospheric effects and techniques, students will learn to capture depth and mood by achieving a good balance of value and edge quality. Register for the “Atmospheric Effect” workshop on Thursday, November 18 at 6:30pm.
 
Drop-in Classes at DanzArts Toronto Open to New Students
We invite you to try a drop-in recreational dance class with DanzArts Toronto at the Columbus Centre. The Recreational program for dancers ages two and up are designed to develop technical skills and foster artistic expression. Students may choose to enroll in one or several classes of any style, including Kinderdance, tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, acrobatics, musical theatre and more. Never miss the chance to dance!
 
Become a Music Superstar with the Columbus Centre School of Music
Learn a new instrument this fall! Columbus Centre School of Music offers affordable and practical lessons for all instruments to kids, teens, adults, seniors or groups. From piano to voice lessons, our instructors have in-person and virtual classes available. Contact cultural@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 ext. 248 to for more information or to join.
 
Applications for our Seniors’ Apartments Are Open
Villa Charities is accepting applications for our three apartment buildings designed for seniors living within our community. Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo offer 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.
 
You’re invited to the Floating City!
Renaissance Venice was a multicultural metropolis at the intersection of trade routes linking Europe to the Islamic World, with luxury objects flowing through the city. The Gardiner Museum invites you to discover the lives of Venetians across the social spectrum, from tradespeople to wealthy elites. Renaissance Venice: Life and Luxury at the Crossroads recreates a sensory world of more than 110 objects, from Venetian ceramics and glass to Chinese porcelain and Islamic metalware. Use coupon code villacharities to get 20% off admission tickets.
 
Experience "The Spectators’ Odyssey
- o dell’Inferno"
A must see! DLT Productions and TO Live present the world premiere of “The Spectators’ Odyssey - o dell’Inferno,” an immersive, theatrical adventure unlike any other. Choose from you own path, will you embark on an Odyssey or descend into the Inferno? Delve into an epic world that blurs the line between reality and fiction. Join us at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts from November 2-14, 2021. Developed in association with the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund, with support from TO Live, Canada Council for the Arts, Villa Charities Inc., Istituto Italiano di Cultura, and the Embassy of Italy in Ottawa.