CBC News Toronto recently featured the Tribute Project in a segment that ran on TV and online. Marco DeVuono was interviewed, along with artist and Foundation Board member Aldo Cundari, who discussed his creative vision for the Immigrant Tribute sculpture that will be part of the installation at the Columbus Centre. Tribute project donor Rose Foti also shared her family’s immigrant experience.

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Villa Charities invites you to join the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club’s Family Tree Guy Don Rampone for a series of eight online workshops from January 19 to March 9, to help you create and grow your own family tree. These interactive and participatory, introductory-level workshops will encourage attendees to share their own examples, which will be used as educational opportunities. The series package price is only $35.00!

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Grab your dancing shoes and get ready for the return of Ballo Liscio! Our weekly social dancing nights resume on Wednesday, January 18 at 6:30pm, with live musical performances in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery. Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizon’s for Seniors Program.

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Join us on Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30pm, when Chef Anthony Sestito from Pastaio will demonstrate the traditional way of making lasagne from Bologna. Learn about making fresh spinach pasta dough including the process beginning from the “well” method, the importance of resting and choosing the right flours. Participants will prepare the sheets and sauces, learn the importance of layering and get to assemble their own lasagne to take home. At the end of the class, enjoy a delicious piece of lasagne! 

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Get your tickets now for this special night featuring an all-you-can-eat pasta buffet and a stand-up comedy performance by Lu Sicilianu Raggiatu! One show only on Friday, February 10 at 6:30pm.

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Register now for the first online book club workshop of the new year. On Wednesday, January 25 we will be discussing “Gomorra”/”Gomorrah” by Roberto Saviano. A groundbreaking major bestseller in Italy, “Gomorrah” is Roberto Saviano's 2006 gripping nonfiction account of the decline of Naples under the rule of the Camorra, an organized crime network with a large international reach.

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Make a New Year’s resolution to learn or improve your Italian! In our friendly and interactive “Art & Aperitivo” sessions, enjoy a drink and snacks together with fellow classmates as we discuss and explore Italian art, from frescos to magnificent fountains, paintings to monumental architecture and hidden treasures of Italy. Sessions resume on Monday nights beginning January 30, at 6:00 – 7:00pm (for English speakers) and 7:30 – 8:30pm (for Italian speakers).

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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 first Virtual Friday Chats of the new year is scheduled for Friday, January 13. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email iusic@villacharities.com. 

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Registration for the Athletic Club's winter fitness programs is on now for Members and Non-Members. Check out our Premium Programs including Yoga, Kickboxing, Tai Chi and Children’s Karate. Winter term classes begin the week of January 9^th and participants are required to register before the start of each session. To learn more or register, contact fitness@villacharities.com or 

416-789-7011 Ext. 213.

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Aquatics program registration for the winter term begins on Tuesday, January 10 for Members and Thursday, January 12 for Non-Members, with swimming lessons beginning on January 23, 2023. Check out all our swim programs for a broad range of ages, abilities and interests and enjoy our large indoor swimming pool! To learn more or to register, contact

fitness@villacharities.com or (416) 789-7011 Ext. 215. 

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Mark your calendars now! Summer Camp at the Columbus Centre returns with camps from July 3 to August 25 for kids ages 5 to 14. From general camps to specialty camps in sports, dance, music, art and more, we offer high-quality programming in an inclusive and inspiring environment. Our full-day, half-day and extended care options will suit your scheduling needs. More information is coming soon but you can pre-register now to reserve a space for your child in one of Toronto’s most popular summer camps.

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Register now for winter term classes and learn a new instrument this year! Columbus Centre School of Music offers affordable and practical lessons in many instruments for kids, teens, adults, seniors or groups. Choose from saxophone, clarinet/flute, violin, piano, guitar, drums, ukulele, accordion or music production with one-on-one instruction by our experienced teachers. The 10-week winter program runs from January 9 to March 27, 2023.

Contact cultural@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 Ext. 248 for more information or to register.

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The 10-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. Course runs on Mondays, January 10 to March 28 at 12:30 to 3:30pm. 

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Learn the foundations of creating beautiful unique textiles and decorative art with a contemporary approach to the traditional practice of hand-painted textiles. In this 8-week workshop, students will develop skill and confidence in surface pattern design through personal guidance by the instructor. Course runs on Wednesdays, January 25 to March 22, at 6:30 to 9:30pm.

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Using any style of camera (SLR, phones or tablets), children will learn the fundamentals of photography, including camera basics, lighting, long exposure, still-life and basic compositions. This program is suitable for children, ages 10 - 14 of all levels and experience. Students to provide their own device with a camera. The 8-week workshop runs from January 26 to March 23, 2023.

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Columbus Centre Athletic Club has squash programs that are perfect for players of all ages and skill levels. Our Adult and Kids ‘Learn to Play’ programs are 10-week beginner workshops with a focus on squash fundamentals. The Adult Intermediate Squash program focuses on fine-tuning squash skills. Or join our Monday Night Squash House League and compete with other players to win prizes! For more information or to register, contact

naron@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 Ext. 229.

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We invite all members of the community to join us for our next Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, January 12 at 5:30pm, where we will be sharing the latest updates and answering questions about the Villa Colombo Toronto Revitalization Project. The meeting will include a presentation by Marco DeVuono, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc., followed by a Q & A session with Mr. DeVuono and John Hendriks, Board Chair, Villa Colombo Toronto. Please register in advance at the link below or call 416-789-2113 Ext. 2211. To learn more about the project, click here.

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June 28 to July 1, 2023, in Calabria, Italy: Call for Submissions

The Accenti Festival is more than just a celebration of our 20^th anniversary. It is a tangible expression of the vitality of the Italian cultural heritage in the world. Building on the legacy of Accenti Magazine as a thriving laboratory for the arts, we invite proposals for creative works, artistic performances, and academic papers that celebrate the Italian cultural heritage in Canada and beyond. Writers, artists, researchers, cultural organizations and others from all disciplines are invited to submit proposals in English or Italian by January 29, 2023. 

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