All-You-Can-Eat Pasta and

All-Night Laughter!


Join us for an evening of entertainment

with stand-up comedian Lu Sicilianu Raggiatu

Pasta comedy night

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! Lu brings his unique style of comedy to Villa Charities for one night only on Friday, February 10 at 6:30pm! This popular comedian has been entertaining sold-out audiences with hilarious sketches highlighting his Italian family traditions for years! Best known for his sketch comedy videos on social media, this show is guaranteed to have you laughing all night long.

 

Date: Friday, February 10 at 6:30pm

Tickets: $50.00

Location: Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

Buy Tickets Now

Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute

#TributeThursday – Donor Spotlight

It’s #TributeThursday, where we feature immigrant histories from the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute Project. This week, we're sharing the story of Francesco and Michelina Vaccarelli, who immigrated from Apulia in 1961 and 1966, respectively.

Tribute Thursdays

"My parents first met at a wedding in 1958. At first, my mother, a "big" city girl from Bari, was not interested in a country boy - but my father's charm and gregarious personality eventually won her over. My father left for Canada in 1961 to work, learn a trade and hopefully improve his family's fortunes. He returned after 4 years, rekindled his relationship with my mother and they married on Feb. 19, 1966. On April 8, 1966 they boarded the SS Michelangelo in Naples bound for New York... they continued on to Toronto by train where they would live in the basement of my aunt's house. My sister Mary (Maria) was the first to be born there, however, by 1969 after years of night shifts and working two jobs, they purchased their starter "home" - a triplex in the Jane/Eglinton area."  


Read their full story on our Immigrant Map and explore all the immigrant experiences. 


Honour your family and share their story!

Purchase Your Plaque

Villa Charities

Italian Family Tree Workshops Begin Tonight!

Join the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club’s Family Tree Guy Don Rampone for a series of eight online workshops designed 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. Explore your family history today! The 8-week series runs weekly to March 9 and the package price is only $35.00.


Register Now

Dance the night away at

Ballo Liscio

Yesterday saw our first Ballo Liscio night of the new year, and it was a great one! If you missed it, don't worry - you can join us again next Wednesday, January 25 at 6:30pm. Dance the night away with live musical performances in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery. Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.


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Join our Book Club “Club del Libro

Our online book club is back! This month we're 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. Our book club is a great place to meet likeminded people and socialize from the comfort of your own home. Register now to join us on Wednesday, January 25.


Register Now

Art and Aperitivo

Practice and Improve Your Italian in “Art & Aperitivo”

Register now for our “Art & Aperitivo” sessions to combine your love of art with socializing and learning Italian! Enjoy a drink and snacks together with fellow classmates as you 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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Taste of Cinqueterre

Take your Tastebuds on a Journey to Cinque Terre

Villa Charities’ popular Taste of Italy series continues in 2023. This time we're taking you on a gastronomic journey through Cinque Terre, on Friday, February 24. Indulge in delicious authentic dishes prepared by Slow Food Toronto President, Chef Luciano Schipano. There are limited spaces available for this event, so don’t miss out and secure your spot today.


Get Tickets

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 between 11:00am and 12:00pm and must be scheduled in advance. The next Virtual Friday Chat is scheduled for Friday, February 10. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email [email protected].


Book Your Meeting

Columbus Centre

Columbus Centre Athletic Club Offer

Zero Enrollment Fees and 50% Off For New Members!

Time is running out for this special offer! Join the Columbus Centre Athletic Club before January 31 and take advantage of zero enrollment fees, 50% off your first 2 months, and 10% off select personal training. Get access to the 11,000 sq.ft. main gym, state-of-the-art equipment, squash and racquetball courts, spinning rooms, large indoor pool, indoor running track, and fitness classes, all under one roof!


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Winter Athletic Programs

Registrations Open: Winter Athletics Premium Programs

Registration for the Columbus Centre Athletic Club's winter fitness programs has been extended for Members and Non-Members. We have a wide array of Premium Programs including Yoga, Kickboxing, Tai Chi and Children’s Karate – there’s something for everyone. To learn more or register, contact [email protected] or

416-789-7011 Ext. 213.


See Our Premium Programs

Columbus Centre Swimming Pool

Register for Swimming Lessons and Aquafit Classes

Register today for Shallow Water or Deep Water aquafit classes and experience the great benefits of an aerobic workout in the water with little to no impact. Or learn to swim or improve your aquatic skills this year, with swimming lessons beginning January 23. We offer swim programs for a broad range of ages and abilities, taught by expert certified instructors in our large indoor pool. To learn more or to register, contact [email protected] or

416-789-7011 Ext. 215.


See Our Aquatics Programs

Cooking Camp - Columbus Centre

Summer Camps are Back,

Pre-Register Today!

Summer Camp at the Columbus Centre returns with camps from July 3 to August 25 for children aged 5 to 14. Our camps offer high-quality programming in an inclusive and inspiring environment for all children. Plus, with a variety of camps available, from general camps to specialty camps in sports, dance, music, art and more, there’s something for everyone. Our full-day, half-day and extended care options will suit your scheduling needs. More information will be coming soon, but in the meantime you can pre-register now to reserve a space for your child in one of Toronto’s most popular summer camps.


Pre-Register Now

Learn a New Skill! Textile and Decoration Painting Workshop

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. Sessions will run on Wednesdays, January 25 to March 22, from 6:30 to 9:30pm.


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New! Photography Classes for Children

Keep your child engaged by learning a new skill with our photography classes. By the end of this 8-week workshop, your child will understand the fundamentals of photography, including how to use a camera, camera basics, lighting long exposure, still-life, and basic compositions. This program is suitable for children ages 10 to 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.


Learn More

Villa Colombo Toronto

Villa Colombo Toronto Revitalization Project Virtual Town Hall

On Thursday, January 12, a Virtual Town Hall was held to share the latest updates and answer questions about the Villa Colombo Toronto Revitalization Project. A video recording of the meeting has been posted to our website and is available to watch now.


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Volunteer at Villa Colombo

Villa Colombo Toronto Needs Volunteers!

The greatest gift you can give to our seniors is your time. Villa Colombo Toronto is looking for volunteers to help with different programs and areas including the gift shop, friendly visits, eating assistance, recreation programs, drivers for Meals on Wheels, and more. If you’re interested in finding out more or applying, please email [email protected] or call 416-789-2113 Ext. 2216.


Learn More

A Message from a Valued Arts Partner

Mangia Quebec - TLN Original Series

Thurs at 8:00pm | Sat at 8:30pm


TLN Original six-part docuseries Mangia Quebec, explores multiculturalism through the lens of the province’s diverse culinary traditions. Join host and renowned Montreal chef/restauranteur Michele Forgione as he visits with 6 Italian Canadian families across the region to share their inspiring stories, traditions and passion for food. From sugar shacks to eggplant and tomato fields, local buffalo mozzarella, and the best bagels in the world, this amazing journey takes viewers on a delicious and fun tour of La Belle Province. For more info, visit tln.ca.


Learn More

Elisa Rose... With Love

Elisa Rose, Soprano, Singer/Songwriter, and Classical Crossover Artist, will be singing some of your favorite love songs live at the Columbus Centre in Toronto on Sunday, February 12 at 2:00pm. Charles Di Raimondo, will be a special guest accompanying Elisa Rose during this wonderful afternoon of romantic music.


Buy Now

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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