In celebration of Italian Heritage Month, International Celebrity Chef and Executive Producer David Rocco shares his message encouraging everyone to celebrate their family’s journey from Italy to Canada, whether it was 7 years ago or 70 years ago. He pays tribute to his mother’s journey from Italy to Canada by recreating the dish that brought her comfort upon arriving in Canada. Watch their heartwarming video online now.



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At the Annual General Meeting on May 24, 2023, Villa Charities voted in the Directors to serve on the Villa Charities Inc. and Affiliate Boards for the 2023/2024 term. We would like to acknowledge their service and dedication to the organization and greatly appreciate all that they do for the communities we serve.

View our 2022 VCI Consolidated Annual Report

Watch our 2022 Highlights Video

Chef Luciano and Chef Anthony are pleased to announce that the newly renovated Ristorante Boccaccio is officially open! Indulge in the finest Italian cuisine, prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients, and complemented by a carefully selected wine list featuring the best Italian vineyards. Lunch service begins on June 8, and they’ll be open for Sunday brunch as of June 11. Make your reservation online today!

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Join Romulo Delgado and Sabatino Vacca on Tuesday, June 20 for a concert lecture on Luciano Pavarotti's vocal technique. Discover the secrets behind Pavarotti's vocal technique, was solely genetic or acquired through conscious effort? Experience an unforgettable evening of captivating performances and insightful discussions, celebrating Pavarotti's artistry. Secure your tickets now to journey into the world of one of opera's most iconic voices, Luciano Pavarotti.

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Villa Charities is proud to be a sponsor of the “Italy at Home” Film Festival featuring a specially curated lineup of critically acclaimed Italian films. You’ll be saying ‘Lights, Camera, Ciao!’ every night in June at 9:00pm as TLN TV celebrates Italian Canadian Heritage Month (with English-Subtitled films) from May 29 to June 30. Watch the promo video.

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Join us tomorrow night for “LIFE…It’s Shirley Happening!”, a campy, energetic and highly entertaining pantomime show filled with comedy and costumes with drag hostess, Dame Shirley Happening! A full cabaret featuring singing, dancing, and audience participation – it’s ‘Shirley’ going to be an evening of laughter!

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The award-winning one-man show, "So She Married a Guido", returns to Toronto for one night only, Saturday, June 10 at 8:00pm. This hilarious production, originally staged as "So I Married a Mangiacake", is back with an extra 20 minutes of laughter – if you didn’t see it as part of the tour, this is your last chance! Written and performed by actor/comedian Guido Cocomello, the show explores his life journey, from meeting his "mangiacake" wife to overcoming personal tragedy. 

Guido Cocomello has appeared in numerous Hollywood movies and TV shows. Learn more about this talented actor at therealguido.com

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Join us for a captivating live performance on Tuesday, June 13 by the Columbus Concert Band, led by Annamaria Mazzaferro. Celebrate Italian Heritage Month with a repertoire of historic folk songs, popular hits by Toto Cotugno, Gianni Morandi, Achille Togliano, and the timeless operatic works of Giuseppe Verdi. Don't miss your chance to experience a melodic journey through Italy's musical heritage.

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Join us for the opening reception for “Il Perugino – The Best Master of Italy” on Wednesday, June 14 at 7:30pm. In honour of the 500th anniversary of the passing of legendary Italian Renaissance painter Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci, famously known as 'Il Perugino', we’re presenting a special exhibition showcasing large panel reproductions of his iconic masterpieces. No registration is required.

Co-presented by Comites Toronto, the Italian Consulate of Toronto and Diginess, with support from Pizza Nova.

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Have a question about our programs and services? Take the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc.! Appointments are 20 minutes each between 11:00am and 12:00pm and must be scheduled in advance. The next Virtual Friday Chat is scheduled for Friday, July 14. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email iusic@villacharities.com.

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The clock is ticking! Applications for the 2023 Villa Charities Scholarship Program close on June 30! Four awards of $2,500 are available to Undergraduate students and four awards of $5,000 are available to Graduate level students. A full list of criteria can be found on our website.

Apply Now

On Sunday, May 28, over 100 riders participated in the 16^th Annual Villa Charities Giro Cycling Fundraiser, presented by LiUNA OPDC. Our riders enjoyed a challenging and scenic ride on multiple routes through Vaughan, featuring Italian-themed food and beverage rest stops along the way. Thank you to all our valued sponsors, donors, partners, riders and volunteers! Together we raised approximately $125,000 and are on track to hit our target of $130,000 - crucial funds that support senior care, youth services, education, scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. Your support truly makes a difference! There’s still time to help us reach our goal, donate today to support us.

See List of Sponsors

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Experience the benefits of mind and body awareness classes designed specifically for seniors. This new 33-week Columbus Centre Athletic Club program, open to Members and Non-Members, offers various classes from mobility training and mindful meditation to arthritic aqua training and water dance for seniors ages 50+. This program is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

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Join us this summer with more chances to dance than ever before! DanzArts Toronto has something for every age and level of experience with our 2023 Recreational and Competitive Summer Programs beginning this month. Enjoy a range of dance styles taught by our experienced, professional faculty, who inspire a genuine love of dance while providing students with a solid technical foundation. 

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DanzArts Toronto presents their annual year-end Recital on Saturday, June 17 at the Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre at York University. This showcase will feature all the 2022-2023 DanzArts season dancers including the Recreational, Part-Time and Full-Time Competitive Students.

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Our All-In-One Camp experience provides a wide range of fun and engaging activities, but if your child is enthusiastic about sports, we've got some great options for you!

Check out our Ultimate Sports Camp, Ultimate Racquet Sports Camp and Tennis Camp - all tailored to help your child focus on their interests and hone their athletic skills. With our specialty camps, young campers will have a blast and learn from the Columbus Centre’s specialized and experienced instructors. Spots are still available - register now!

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Registrations are now open for Gentle Water and Deep Water Aquafitness, with summer classes beginning on Monday, June 26. Members and Non-Members can register via email, or in-person at our Membership Office. Aquafit provides a great stretching, strengthening, and low-impact aerobic workout – perfect for toning muscles, improving flexibility, and improving heart health. 

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Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 17 as registration for our Children's Swimming Lessons opens for Members and Non-Members. We provide a range of lessons tailored to children of all ages and abilities. Whether it's their first splash or they're seeking to refine advanced aquatic skills, our expert instructors are ready to guide them. Visit our website for a full list of our swimming lessons and how to register.

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The residents at our Independent Seniors’ Apartment, Casa Del Zotto, are on the move! The Circle of Care - Senior Exercise Classes began on Monday, May 15 and they are a huge success! The classes are 45 minutes in length and include a variety of standing and seated exercises suitable for all abilities. 

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Get your tickets for Apericena Con Gli Amici, next Friday at the Columbus Centre. Tickets are only $30 and include one Aperol Spritz and food tasting. Presented by Toronto Earlscourt Rotary Club, and the event's proceeds will aid those devastated by the catastrophic flood in Emilia Romagna, Italy. More information can be found on their poster here. 



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