There’s still time to sign up for our pre-sale list for the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute! Registering for our pre-sale list ensures you’ll get priority access to be among the first to purchase your name plaque when they go on sale this fall.

The tribute installation at the Columbus Centre will honour Italian Canadian immigrants by featuring individual plaques with the names of family members and the year they immigrated from Italy to Canada. As a donor you’ll also be able to submit your family photos and a brief history of your immigrant journey for our website.

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Cultural Tuesdays return on Tuesday, September 6! In collaboration with Opera Sustenida, join us for a special concert showcasing our favourite operatic heroines from beloved Italian operas and beyond! The ensemble features the talents of Canadian musicians Stephanie DeCiantis (spinto soprano), Nicole Whitney Dubinsky (coloratura soprano), Daniella Theresia (mezzo-soprano), and Suzanne Yeo (pianist).

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There’s only a short time left to experience this extraordinary collection of paintings from artist Aba Bayefsky’s ‘Italian Series’ and ‘Tattoo Series’, created during the 1970s and 1980s. The exhibition at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery only runs until Thursday, September 8, 2022. Presented in collaboration with Emilio Goggio Chair in Italian Studies, University of Toronto and sponsored by The Lindy Green Family Charitable Foundation.

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Join Villa Charities along with prize-winning author Gianna Patriarca on September 13 at 6:30pm for this special family-friendly book launch event. “Nonna & The Girls Next Door” is a heartwarming story dotted with Italian cultural touchstones about the bond between grandmothers and grandchildren. The universal experience of overcoming envy and coming to appreciate our own situation combined with nostalgic illustrations by Ellie Arscott make this a timeless classic. Participants will be given the opportunity to purchase a copy of the book.

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You are cordially invited to the opening night reception for the exhibition, “Mary Magdalene Resurrected”. This mosaic series is created by Lilian Broca, who explores the figure Mary Magdalene and the stories which have painted her as a woman in desperate need of salvation.

Hear Broca’s thoughts about Mary Madgalene at the opening reception on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 7:00pm. This exhibition is curated by Dr. Angela Clarke and runs to October 20 at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery. 

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Savour the flavours of Sicily with “Taste of Sicily” on September 16 at 7:00pm! Indulge in delicious and authentic Italian dishes prepared by Slow Food Toronto President and Chef, Luciano Schipano. Check out the menu for this delectable four-course dinner and book your tickets now! 

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We invite you to celebrate this annual Italian tradition with us on Saturday, September 17 from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Join us for a pasta lunch and live music and receive a complimentary jar of fresh tomato sauce to enjoy at home, courtesy of Villa Charities. This event is funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

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Villa Charities invites you to experience Verdi’s most beloved opera “Il Trovatore” in a series of hybrid multimedia-enhanced live performances by Opera Sustenida on September 24 at 7:00pm.

This performance is created, directed and performed by Stephanie DeCiantis (soprano), Nicole Whitney Dubinsky (soprano), Daniella Theresia (mezzo-soprano) and Suzanne Yeo (pianist and conductor). 

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On Sunday, October 16 at 3:00pm, Villa Charities will be hosting “Beatrice & Adolfo: Doing What They Love”. This concert will feature musical duo Beatrice Carpino (singer) and Adolfo De Santis (pianist) as they present a selection of popular Italian and English songs, Neapolitan songs, and Broadway songs.

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Don’t miss any of our Italian language workshops with our Learn Italian by Doing program this fall! Our online book club “Club del Libro” will take you on a literary adventure with extraordinary works by acclaimed authors. Or, enjoy a drink and snacks while you discuss and explore Italian art with “Art & Aperitivo”. Join us in a relaxed and “simpatico” atmosphere outside of a traditional classroom to learn or just to polish your Italian!

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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 and must be scheduled in advance. The next Friday Chats is scheduled for Friday, September 9. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email slarosa@villacharities.com. 

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On Thursday, September 8, 2022, CIBPA Toronto, ICCO Canada and Villa Charities Foundation are coming together again to celebrate our community and give back in a meaningful way at The Country Club in Woodbridge.

Guests who attend our Ital-Canadian Golf Open will have the chance to win exclusive prizes including: Two (2) Business Class Tickets for travel within Europe from Air Canada*, and Four (4) Tickets to the EROS RAMAZZOTTI “Infinito Battito World Tour” concert on November 18, 2022, at the Scotiabank Arena**.

Proceeds from the Ital-Canadian Golf Open will support scholarships and bursaries for undergraduate and graduate level students across the country. Visit italcanadiangolfopen.com for details and to register.

*Blackout dates and some restrictions apply.

**Concert Tickets: Non-transferable.

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Registration for the Columbus Centre School of Music’s 2022/23 season continues. Register for the fall term today and discover your musical passion. Learn a new instrument or hone your skills in vocal, piano, drums, guitar, violin and more! Classes begin September 12.

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We invite you to visit the Columbus Centre Athletic Club on Saturday, September 10, from 12:00 to 2:00pm and check out our four squash courts, racquetball court and new games room including pickleball, badminton and volleyball.

And join our 8-week Monday night Squash House League with matches for beginners, intermediate and advanced players beginning September 19.

To attend the open house or register for the house league, please email naron@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 Ext.229.

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Using water as resistance, Aquafitness training provides a great aerobic workout in a pool, while being low impact and easy on joints. 

Perfect for any fitness level, your private instructor will guide you through a series of exercises for flexibility, muscular strength, cardiovascular health and stretching.

Register today via email at fitness@villacharities.com, in-person at our Membership Office during office hours or call 416-789-7011 ext. 215.

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Registration is now open for our recreational and adult dance programs beginning this fall at DanzArts Toronto. 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. Many classes are available including Kinderdance, tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, musical theatre, acrobatics and more. Register today to reserve your spot for the 2022/2023 season.  

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