Celebrate Ferragosto!
Sunday, August 17
| | Celebrate the height of summer and embrace the joy of Ferragosto, Italy's beloved summer holiday! Join us on Sunday, August 17 for an afternoon filled with family-friendly fun featuring live musical entertainment, children’s activities, raffle prizes, traditional porchetta, pasta and fresh pizza*, and a licensed patio at Caffe Cinquecento. Don’t miss out on this festive outdoor community event! | |
Programming
Children’s Activities & Carnival Games
Face Painting
Soccer & Zumba Demos
Live Musical Performances
Live Dance Performances by DanzArts Toronto
Traditional Porchetta & Pasta
Fresh Pizza
Beer & Wine Patio at Caffe Cinquecento (Payment Required)
Market Lane with Vendor Booths
& Live Raffle for Prizes!
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Date: Sunday, August 17, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Price: $5.00
Location: Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard, Columbus Centre
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Presented in partnership with CIBPA Toronto.
Thank you to all our sponsors for their support!
*While supplies last. First-come, first-served.
| | | Ballo Liscio Continues in the Courtyard |
Ballo Liscio nights are back on the Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard every Wednesday this summer! Join us next on Wednesday, July 23 at 6:30pm for an evening of outdoor social dancing with music by popular Italian DJs and musicians. Ballo Liscio continues weekly through August 27.
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| | | “Carnival: The Spirit and the Soul” |
From July 31 to August 27, visit the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery to experience “Carnival: The Spirit and the Soul”. This group exhibition features nearly 200 works — masks, theatrical pieces, and contemporary art — exploring Carnival as a space for transformation, resistance, and cultural expression. Drawing from global traditions, the exhibition highlights how Carnival continues to inspire today’s artists. Join us for the opening reception on Thursday, July 31 at 7:00pm.
Register Now
| | | Cinema Under the Stars Returns in August |
Join Villa Charities & Caffe Cinquecento every Thursday at 8:00pm for Cinema Sotto le Stelle, outdoor film nights on the Caffè Cinquecento patio. The first of 4 films begins on Thursday, August 7 with “Ho Visto un Re”, directed by Giorgia Farina. In a world of heroes and prisoners, one boy’s imagination turns reality into an adventure.
Enjoy pizza or pasta al forno with wine or beer for $20.00+ HST during each screening. Reserve your seat for $5.00 today.
Buy Tickets
| | | Celebrate Italian Heritage at Mississauga Italfest |
Villa Charities is a proud Amici Sponsor of the 2025 Mississauga Italfest, taking place on August 22 and 23, 2025, at Mississauga Celebration Square. Named a ‘Top 100 Festival in Ontario’, the free event features delicious food and crafts from a variety of vendors and artisans, cultural and family-oriented activities, entertainment from local and international talent, an interactive Heritage and Cultural pavilion, and more.
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| | | Italian for Toddlers Returns This September |
Villa Charities is proud to continue the Italian Immersion Toddler Program this fall in partnership with Leonardo Da Vinci Academy. Designed for children aged 1 to 3, this engaging program introduces Italian language and culture through songs, play, and hands-on activities—led by a native Italian instructor. Join us for 14 weeks of fun from September 8 to December 8, with sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays from 9:00–10:00am at the Columbus Centre. A parent or guardian must accompany each child.
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| | | “Jump, Jive & Wail: A Tribute to Louis Prima" |
Relive the golden age of Las Vegas on Tuesday, September 9 at 7:30pm with “Jump, Jive & Wail: A Tribute to Louis Prima" featuring Rocco Continenza and the Testifiers. The 8-piece band serves up the swingin’-est hits of the ’50s and ’60s, including fan favourites like “Oh Marie,” “Zooma Zooma,” and “Buona Sera”. This interactive show is part lounge act, part history lesson, part celebration of Sicilian musical contributions to jazz—and a whole lotta fun. Presented in partnership with Frank Adriano Entertainment.
Buy Tickets
| | | “The Devil in His Big Blue Eyes” with Marlene Giuliano |
On Friday, September 12 at 7:00pm, author Marlene Giuliano presents her book “The Devil in His Big Blue Eyes”, a true account of her family’s spiritual struggle after her teenage son made an alliance with the devil online. Through faith, the support of the church, and a chance encounter, he recovered. “The Devil in His Big Blue Eyes” is a remarkable story of courage, inspiration, and hope.
Register Now
| | | Experience Culture Days at Villa Charities |
Ontario Culture Days, an annual celebration of arts, culture, and heritage, launches on September 19 and runs through October 12, 2025. Ontario Culture Days at Villa Charities features multidisciplinary programs that invite the public to engage with and participate in a broad range of hands-on and behind-the-scenes activities. Join us for our FREE events and experience joy, pride and strong community connections through the power of arts and culture.
Villa Charities is an Official Festival Hub of Ontario Culture Days. Event registration is now open!
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| | | Book Your One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with Marco |
Book your Friday Chats with Marco! Take the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc. to answer any questions or to share your thoughts on our programs and services. Our next meeting will be held on Friday, August 1. Appointments are 20 minutes each, at 11:00am or 2:00pm, and must be scheduled in advance. Contact us today to schedule your in-person or virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email iusic@villacharities.com.
Book Your Meeting
| | Villa Charities Foundation | | | Announcing the 2025 Heart & Hand Awards |
Villa Charities is excited to be celebrating our volunteers at the 2025 Heart & Hand Awards on Friday, November 7, 2025. The exclusive Heart & Hand Awards remains the premier volunteer recognition across the Villa Charities family. Individual tickets, tables, and sponsorships are available. Full details can be found on our website. We hope you will join us for this special celebration and support us in making this a truly memorable evening.
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| | | Make the Most of Summer at Camp |
There’s still time to register for summer camps at the Columbus Centre! With engaging programs led by experienced staff, our general and specialty camps offer a fun, active environment where kids can learn, grow, and make lasting memories. Camps continue through August 22, 2025.
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| | | Save Up to 30% on Personal Training* |
Transform your fitness routine this summer with the Personal Training Summer Special at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club. This limited-time offer includes eight 1-hour private sessions with a Certified Personal Trainer, along with InBody assessments and a full body composition review. Save up to 30%* when you register before August 15.
*Conditions apply. See website for full details.
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| | | Build Strength in the Pool with Aquafit Classes |
Aquafit classes are now underway at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club, and registration is still open. Choose from Deep End or Arthritic Aqua Training to build strength, increase flexibility, and improve cardiovascular fitness in the pool. Open to Members and Non-Members. Register online or at the Membership Office.
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| | | Serve Up Summer on the Tennis Court |
Make the most of tennis and pickleball season with an Outdoor Court Membership at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club. Open to both Members and Non-Members, courts are available to book daily from 7:00am to 10:00pm until October 31, 2025.
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| | | Step Up Your Workouts with Premium Fitness Programs |
Summer Premium Fitness Programs have started at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club, but there's still time to register. Choose from Non-Contact Boxing, TRX®, Judo, Yoga, and more. Open to Members and Non-Members, these specialized programs go beyond our general fitness classes and offer the chance to explore new disciplines.
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| | | Push Your Dance Training Further This Summer |
DanzArts Toronto offers professional-level training for dancers of all ages and skill levels. Registration is now open for the 2025/2026 Dance Season, and there’s still time to join our 2025 Summer Series! See our full Recreational Schedule or contact us at dance@danzartstoronto.com with any questions. If you're interested in auditioning for our 2025/2026 Competitive Team, please email us to learn more about the audition process and requirements. Don’t miss your chance to dance with us this season!
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| | | Start Your Musical Journey This Fall |
Whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time or continuing your musical journey, the Columbus Centre School of Music offers personalized one-on-one lessons for all ages and skill levels. Explore a wide range of instruments and styles with expert instructors. Early Bird Registration is now open for the 2025/2026 season—register by August 15 to save 5%!
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| | | Villa Colombo Toronto Looking for Volunteers! | Do you want to give back to your community? The greatest gift you can give to our seniors is your time. Villa Colombo Toronto is currently looking for volunteers to help assist with recreation programs, community support, Meals on Wheels delivery, friendly visits, gift shop support, meal assistance, and more—including opportunities to shadow staff in social work and physiotherapy. Contact Villa Colombo at 416-789-2113 ext. 2216 or by email at volunteering@villacolombo.on.ca. | | A Message from Our Valued Arts Partner | | | In the Studio of Caravaggio |
The Academy of Realist Art invites you to come explore Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro approach, starting with his unique tri-tone approach to build the lights and establish the underpainting. Students will learn a specific step-by-step process to achieve an exact copy of a selected study. August 18 – 24, 2025. Contact info@academyofrealistart.com to register or call Colleen Johnston at 416-839-1843.
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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.
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901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3 I About Us
Villa Charities Foundation Charitable Registration Number: 89337 0767 RR001
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