"The Christmas Chair" Begins Next Week! 

Villa Charities proudly presents “The Christmas Chair” / “La Sedia di Natale,” the new original immersive holiday experience created by internationally acclaimed theatre company DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT) and director Daniele Bartolini, with music by the Vesuvius Ensemble.


Take a seat on the Christmas chair and share your holiday stories! This unforgettable show invites the audience to delve into their fondest memories, to be weaved together into an interactive collective experience by a line-up of extraordinary Italian-Canadian performers, including some ‘surprise’ special guests!


Join us and explore the origins “della festa più bella” (of the most beautiful holiday) through ancient musical instruments from Neapolitan tradition, folk songs and storytelling. Bring your family and friends and enjoy an evening that combines laughter and music with heartwarming moments during the holiday season. 


Holiday treats and refreshments will be served at the end of the show. 


DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT): Daniele Bartolini and Danya Buonastella

Vesuvius Ensemble: Romina Di Gasbarro, Francesco Pellegrino, Tommaso Sollazzo


Performance Schedule

Preview: Thursday, December 15 at 8:00pm (SOLD OUT)

Performances: Friday, December 16 & Saturday, December 17 at 8:00pm

                        Sunday, December 18 at 2:00pm


Registration is required for all performances.


Ticket Prices 

Preview: “Pay What You Can” (Suggested donation at the door of $20.00) 

General Admission: Adults $40.00 

                               Seniors (65+), Students (13 – 25) and Artists $25.00

                               Children (6 – 12) $20.00

BUY PERFORMANCE TICKETS (DEC 16 – 18)

Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute

#TributeThursday – Donor Spotlight

It’s #TributeThursday, and we’re featuring immigrant histories from the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute Project. This week, we are sharing the story of Antonio Di Felice and Nicoletta Petti.

“Nicoletta Petti and Antonio Di Felice immigrated from Castropignano, Molise, Campobasso. They were married in Toronto and built a beautiful family, ensuring Italian customs, religion and work ethic were carried forward throughout the generations. Nicoletta and Antonio especially light up around their nipotini/grandkids, and the new Canadians adopted many Canadian traditions, especially around the holidays – turkey and Christmas trees!”


Explore other heartwarming donor histories on our Immigrant Map.

 

This Christmas, purchase a name plaque and give a gift that honours your family’s history for years to come.

Purchase Your Plaque

Villa Charities

Maria Callas: “La Divina” – TONIGHT AT 7:30PM!

An opera legend, Maria Callas remains one of the most outstanding voices of the 20th century. Through discussion and performance, international soprano Sara Papini, and pianist Sabatino Vacca recount the life, drama and golden voice of Maria Callas, which influenced our idea of ‘bel canto’ style singing forever. Tickets are still available for tonight’s presentation – don’t miss out!


Buy Tickets

Enjoy Acclaimed Choir Coro San Marco in Concert 

Villa Charities presents “A Star Has Shone,” with Coro San Marco. Join us as we celebrate the holiday season with a concert by the acclaimed choir on Monday, December 12 at 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale now!


Buy Tickets

Holiday Concert with Columbus Concert Band

An annual holiday tradition at Villa Charities! Celebrate the festive season with a live performance of popular Christmas music on Tuesday, December 13 at 7:30pm. Under the direction of Annamaria Mazzaferro, the award-winning Columbus Concert Band will perform a selection of popular concert band standards and traditional Italian band music, guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit.


A ‘pay what you can’ event. (Donations welcome at the door.)

December’s “Club del Libro” Features Author Elena Ferrante

Our online book club is an opportunity to embark on literary adventures with extraordinary works by acclaimed prize-winning authors while you learn Italian! 

Join us on Wednesday, December 14 at 7:00pm to discuss “La vita bugiarda degli adulti” / “The Lying Life of Adults” by Elena Ferrante.


Learn More

Final Ballo Liscio Event of the Year

Join us for our last Ballo Liscio free social dancing night for the year on Wednesday, December 14 at 6:30pm, with live music. The weekly events will return in 2023 beginning on January 18. Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. 


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Learn How to Make Pasta from Sardinia

Register now for our class on January 24 and discover all the various shapes of pasta from the region of Sardinia. Learn about making fresh pasta dough including the process beginning from the “well” method, the importance of resting and choosing the right flours. Chef Anthony Sestito from Pastaio will show you some simple, yet significant filled pasta shapes and styles typical of the region’s cuisine. At the end of class, enjoy a simple sauce and final dish of Culurgiones with Tomato & Basil.


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Book Your Virtual One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with Marco

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 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 [email protected]


Book Your Meeting

Columbus Centre

Learn a New Instrument at the Columbus Centre School of Music

Register now for winter term classes and learn a new instrument in the new 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 [email protected] or call 416-789-7011 Ext. 248 for more information or to register.


Learn More

Give the Gift of Dance this Holiday Season

Give the gift of dance this holiday season! DanzArts Toronto offers classes for students ranging from 2 years old up to adults. Programs are available for Recreational to Full-Time Competitive dance levels. At DanzArts, we nurture creativity and provide an exciting and rewarding dance experience for each student. Register now to secure your spot for our January classes. 


Learn More

Explore a Variety of Art Techniques in our Winter Programs

Unleash your inner artist and try a new art program for adults this winter. Our Artista Painting Workshop is for students who have a passion for painting and wish to further develop their skills. Discover the foundations of creating beautiful hand-painted textiles and decorative art in our Textile and Decoration Painting Workshop or learn to paint winter landscapes in our NEW 4-week Less Defined Landscape Mini Workshop. Classes begin the week of January 9, 2023


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Children Can Learn the Fundamentals of Photography

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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Get Fit with Small Group Personal Training 

Our Small Group Personal Training program is a fantastic opportunity for Columbus Centre Athletic Club Members to benefit from the energy and camaraderie of group fitness with the individualization and the attention of a personal trainer, at a fraction of the cost. Sessions are designed to provide motivation and accountability, ensuring consistency in reaching your fitness goals. Our trainers specialize in providing results for those who are looking to build muscle, gain strength, improve endurance, and boost fat loss. For more information, visit the Membership Office or email [email protected].


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Massage Therapy Makes a Great Gift

Columbus Centre Athletic Club offers massage therapy with Registered Massage Therapists, to help you relax and rejuvenate. Treat yourself or someone else to a session and enjoy the many health and wellness benefits of this therapeutic treatment. Gift certificates are also available for holiday giving!


Learn More

Winter Registration for Athletics and Aquatics Begins January 3

Registration for the Athletic Club's winter fitness programs begins Tuesday, January 3 for Members and Thursday, January 5 for Non-Members. Registration for the winter aquatics programs opens 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 classes for a broad range of ages, abilities and interests and plan your fitness schedule for the new year!


See Our Athletics Programs

See Our Aquatics Programs

Squash Programs Return in January

Columbus Centre Athletic Club has squash programs beginning in January 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

[email protected] or

call 416-789-7011 Ext. 229.


Learn More

Our Mission:

Enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.


Our Vision:

Inspiring people to explore the Italian in all of us.

Villa Charities Inc. | 416-789-7011 | [email protected] | www.villacharities.com

901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3 I About Us
Villa Charities Foundation Charitable Registration Number: 89337 0767 RR001

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