Join us to honour the Italian Fallen Workers on Friday, April 28 at 3:00pm at the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Wall. On the National Day of Mourning for injured and fallen workers we will remember the more than 1,600 Italian workers who have lost their lives to workplace tragedies in Canada. Villa Charities is proud to be the home of the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Wall, which was unveiled in 2016 in partnership with the Committee for the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Project.

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Chef Luciano and Chef Anthony are pleased to announce that after months of hard work, Ristorante Boccaccio is finally reopening its doors, later this spring! Ristorante Boccaccio has been redesigned to feature a modern atmosphere with updated menu. Their chefs will prepare the finest Italian fare with an emphasis on fresh and seasonal ingredients. Their wine list will offer a selection from the best Italian vineyard to pair with your meal. Their knowledgeable staff will be happy to welcome you to share their passion for Italian culture and cuisine.



Join their newsletter to learn more about the grand opening and to receive the latest news and offers from Ristorante Boccaccio, directly to your mailbox. We look forward to providing you with a memorable dining experience, Italian style.

Just two more days before the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery is transformed into a dance club with our Retro Dance Party. Join us this Saturday, April 29 from 9:00pm to 2:00am as DJ BUBBLES spins your favourite hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and Latin music, with a special guest live appearance by Joée (Joey DeSimone). Tickets are only $20.00 but they’re almost sold out!

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Join us on Monday nights for socializing, snacks, and sips in our “Art & Aperitivo” sessions. These sessions combine the Italian tradition of ‘aperitivo’ with conversations about art to give you a platform to meet new like-minded people. Whether you just appreciate art or you’re an expert, come along and join us for a snack and a chat. Our next weekly session is on Monday, May 1 at 6:00 – 7:00 (for English speakers) and 7:30 – 8:30pm (for Italian speakers).

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The Academy of Realist Art (ARA) is one of a select few academies in the world that utilizes the academic approach to drawing and painting based on the teaching methodologies used by the 19th-century European academies. As such, they have attracted many talented students from around the world who are dedicated to learning realist drawing and painting techniques. Their Spring Exhibition runs from May 1 to 26 at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, with the Opening Reception on Saturday, May 13 at 4:00pm.

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Join us for a dramatic read-through of ‘In Pole Position’, the first of six episodes of “The Espresso Sisters”, a work-in-progress Italian-Canadian TV comedy series written by mother-daughter duo Megan and Maddalena Vallecchi Williams. Register today to join us on Tuesday, May 2, and get a sneak peek into the development of a new television series.  

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Grab your dancing shoes and head down to the Columbus Centre on Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30pm for our popular Ballo Liscio social dancing nights. Bring friends, partners, or come on your own and join us as we dance the night away with live musical performances!

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Villa Charities is proud to be the venue sponsor of the fifth annual “Librissimi Toronto Italian Book Festival” on May 5, 6 and 7, 2023, organized by Comites Toronto. Back in-person for the first time since 2019, Librissimi this year offers up a full program of literary and cultural presentations with Italian roots, and global appeal. All programming will be held at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery at the Columbus Centre. 

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Italian Canadians have contributed greatly to Canada and Canadian society. This Cultural Tuesdays presentation by Angelo Bolotta, director of the “Transformations Canada” project introduces the audience to this incredible “living” tribute that documents the resourcefulness of the Italian Canadian spirit, and ensures these experiences become part of Canadian history. Join us on Tuesday, May 9 at the Columbus Centre.

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We invite all members of the community to join us on Wednesday, May 24 at 6:00pm at the Columbus Centre for the Villa Charities Annual General Meeting. The meeting will include brief presentations to share highlights from the past year and Q&A sessions with Villa Charities Inc. and each of the Affiliate organizations. The evening will also feature a short performance from our DanzArts Toronto program with a cocktail reception to follow. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to iusic@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 Ext. 240 by May 19.

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Villa Charities welcomes two of the most accomplished voices on the stage today for a new five-part series, Opera è Vita. Sara Papini will kick off the series with an exploration of the portrayal of women in opera throughout the ages in “Women in Opera” on Friday, May 19 at 7:30pm. In this concert lecture, discover how these sultry, sassy and smart women of opera were brought to life by the composers and their timeless music.

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Submissions for “L’Eco dei Dialetti”, an evening of readings designed to highlight the varied regional languages of the Italian peninsula closes April 30. Authors are invited to submit original and unpublished works (prose or poetry) of any form or genre written in dialect, to be presented at this Italian Heritage Event, on Wednesday, June 28. 

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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, May 12. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email iusic@villacharities.com.

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Get your bike in perfect shape for spring with a FREE bicycle tune-up worth $69.99 courtesy of Potenza Cycle & Fitness! Your free tune-up will include a full multi-point safety check, bike and drive-train wipe down, brake adjustment, shifting adjustment, torque all bolts to specs and tire pressure check. Register for Giro before May 26th to receive your free tune-up.

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You have until Friday, May 26 to secure your Giro raffle tickets for a chance to win a Vintage Raleigh Cruiser Single Speed Ladies Bicycle, courtesy of Ziggy’s Cycle. Raffle ticket proceeds will support areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs through Villa Charities Foundation. Drop by the Columbus Centre Reception to buy yours today!

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Columbus Centre’s experienced and specialized staff provide an engaging camp experience that sparks children’s curiosity to learn and challenges them to reach their full potential while having fun and creating lifelong memories. Explore our range of Summer Camps for ages 4 to 13 and register your child today!

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Swim with us and make a splash at your next party! The Columbus Centre Athletic Club’s large indoor pool is the perfect place for a birthday party, social functions or any other organized events. Email fitness@villacharities.com or call us at 416-789-7011 ext. 215 to learn more or arrange your booking.

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From swimming lessons for children learning to swim, to seniors who enjoy aquafitness, the Columbus Centre Athletic Club swimming pool offers swimming lessons and aquafit programs for people of all ages and levels! Discover our full range of classes and programs online now.

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Our speciality Premium Group Fitness Programs will challenge you and give you the chance to explore new areas of fitness. Whether you’re interested in yoga to improve your mental and physical health or want to try your hand at martial arts such as kickboxing and karate – our premium programs are the perfect place for you!

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The Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary (VCTA) is gearing up for its 32^nd Annual Golf Tournament! This year’s fundraising event will be held at Glen Eagle Golf Club on Wednesday, May 31. Please join us for a fun-filled day featuring breakfast, a friendly game of golf, a delicious sit-down luncheon, raffle prizes, a silent auction, and trophies. Proceeds will benefit the residents of Villa Colombo Toronto. 

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There’s been a lot going on at Villa Colombo Vaughan recently. From bidding farewell to our Personal Support Worker students, to the annual Maria Di Salvo Compassionate Care Awards ceremony, and our Easter celebrations. Check out the full update to find out more.

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Elisa Rose, classically trained Soprano artist, will be joined by Charles Di Raimondo and Rob Tardik to perform a crossover episode of classical music and a little rock version of a classical aria, at the Columbus Centre on Saturday, May 27 at 8:00pm. Get your tickets today and bring on spring with “Classic to Rock”!

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The Istituto Italiano di Cultura Toronto and the Glionna Mansell Corporation present the Italian Arts Festival at Organix 2023. Organix Festival is a unique music festival featuring the grand pipe organ, its repertoire and the talented musicians who perform in this musical genre. The series is designed to present solo and ensemble performances of repertoire that would not normally be heard in a Toronto or region organ concert. Concerts will be presented in Toronto and Guelph from May 31 to June 4.

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