Andrea Ramolo’s Documentary “The South”

Comes to the Columbus Centre 

Wednesday, February 21, 7:00pm

   Columbus Room, Columbus Centre

Don’t miss this special community screening of Italian-Canadian filmmaker and recording artist Andrea Ramolo’s documentary film “The South”, at the Columbus Centre! 


Following the death of her matriarch and beloved grandmother, “The South” follows Andrea to the Salento in southern Italy to explore the rich history of its folk music and dance. Director Giuseppe Marco Albano captures Andrea as she uncovers the cultural phenomenon of the tarantate, the evolution of the pizzica, and the healing rituals of the south, and the Salento in particular. The film also follows her and Italian world music band Kalàscima behind-the-scenes as they embark on the recording of a new collaborative Italian album, which takes a modern approach to traditional music and honours Andrea’s connection to the land and to her ancestors.


There will be a Q & A with Andrea and special guest moderator 

Gianpietro Nagliati from OMNI TV, following the screening.


With funding from the Canada Council for the Arts.


Watch the movie trailer here.


Tickets: $10.00

BUY TICKETS
 

Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute

#TributeThursday – Now is the Time to Honour Your Family 

In our first Tribute Project donor profile of the new year, we are featuring the story of Antonino Brancato, who immigrated from Pachino, Sicily to Toronto in 1950.

“My incredible grandfather, Antonino (Nino) Brancato, was born in Pachino, Sicily in 1927. Nino was an honoured Carabinieri in Italy, and in 1950 at the age of 23, Nino traveled to Toronto to meet a potential wife, Josephine. Josephine was born in Toronto of Italian immigrant parents who arrived in 1913 from Modica. Despite being introduced by families, it was a match meant to be and they married in September 1950 at the King Edward Hotel. They settled in East York as one of the first Italian families in an Anglo-Saxon neighbourhood and raised 5 children. Nino worked in construction, then owned a supermarket, and then led a carpentry business.” 


Read the full story on our Immigrant Map.

            

Now is the time to honour your own family’s immigrant experience with a customized name plaque on the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute at the Columbus Centre.


Yes, I Want to Honour My Family!

Buy your plaque today so you’ll be included in the opening

of this momentous heritage installation!

 

Villa Charities

Join our Book Club,

“Club del Libro”

Our online book club is back! This month we’ll be discussing “Per Isabel: un mandala”/ “For Isabel: A Mandala”. Winner of the 2018 Italian Prose in Translation Award, this is a metaphysical detective story about love and existence from the Italian master, Antonio Tabucchi. Our book club is a great place to meet like-minded people and socialize from the comfort of your own home. Register now to join us on Wednesday, January 25.


Register Now

Sausage Making Festa on February 3

Join us for this community festival on Saturday, February 3 from 11:30am to 1:00pm and experience the Italian tradition of sausage-making firsthand. Enjoy a pasta lunch and music by Fortunato Gratta, plus receive two complimentary, freshly made sausages to enjoy at home, courtesy of Villa Charities. Tickets are $5.00 each and advance purchase is required.


Buy Tickets

Spaces Added to our Pasta Making Classes!

Good news! Due to popular demand, we’ve just added more spaces to our popular Pasta Making Classes for 2024. Join Chef Anthony Sestito on a culinary journey through the Italian tradition of fresh pasta making. Each class ends with participants savouring the final pastas paired with various sauces.



Upcoming classes:

The Shapes of Sardinia – February 6

Lasagne alla Bolognese – March 5

Ricotta Gnocchi – April 2

Cannelloni – May 7

Semolina Trofie – June 4


Learn More & Buy Tickets

Ballo Liscio Returns for 2024

The Italian tradition of Ballo Liscio continues at Villa Charities. Bring friends, partners, or come on your own and enjoy these popular social dancing nights featuring live musical performances by Fortunato Gratta and Bruno Nesci. Please note the new schedule for the events beginning Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Tickets are $5.00 and available at the door.


Learn More

Celebrate Mardi Gras with us at Carnevale

In celebration of Mardi Gras, Villa Charities in partnership with Leonardo Da Vinci Academy (LDVA) and Accademia dei Ragazzi will be hosting a special Carnevale event. Join us for an afternoon of fun activities for the whole family with music, arts & crafts, and performances by LDVA students. Wear a Carnival-themed costume and bring your own Mardi Gras spirit to the festivities! A ‘Pay What You Can’ Event’. Advance registration is required.


Register Now

Villa Charities Congratulates Flavio Volpe

Villa Charities congratulates former Columbus Centre of Toronto Board member and Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association President Flavio Volpe on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada. Flavio is one of 78 new appointees announced by the Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable Mary Simon, and was recognized for advancing Canada’s automotive and technology industries on an international scale as a leading policy expert in national trade and industry competition.


Read the Announcement

Book Your 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 Friday Chat is scheduled for Friday, February 9. 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

 

Thanks for Making our Holiday Giving Campaign a Success!

We are excited to share that the Villa Charities Foundation’s 2023 “Double Your Impact” Holiday Campaign raised $53,641, exceeding our target by 312%! A huge thank you to our generous match donor and to everyone who donated in support of Villa Charities Foundation during the holiday season. Your contributions will help us continue to provide programs and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. Grazie mille!

FREE Registration Offer on Now for Giro Cycling Fundraiser

There’s never been a better time to participate in Giro with this year’s event on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at Veneto Centre sure to be a fun and memorable experience.

The Villa Charities Giro Cycling Fundraiser is one of Villa Charities Foundation’s (VCF) most important fundraising events, and we need your support to make this 17th annual edition the best year yet!


Plus, you’ll receive FREE Registration if you sign up before February 25, 2024, with our Early Bird Promotion! That’s right, NO registration fee (a savings of $100!)


But that’s not all - Everyone who registers for Giro 2024 will receive a complimentary silver tune-up valued at $69.99 plus HST as well as 15% off a Retul Bike Fit from Potenza Cycle & Fitness!* *Conditions apply.

 

Check out this short video to see what Giro is all about.

 

Register Today!

 

Columbus Centre

NO Enrollment Fees and 50% Off for New Members

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


Learn More and Sign Up Today!

Winter Registration Continues for Athletics Premium Programs

Registration for the Columbus Centre Athletic Club's winter fitness programs has been extended, for Members and Non-Members. We have many premium group fitness programs to choose from, including Yoga, Cardio Kickboxing, Judo, Pilates, TRX®, and Fascial Maneuvers – there’s something for everyone. Winter term classes are underway, and participants are required to register before the start of each session. Register online, contact fitness@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 Ext. 231.


See Programs and Pricing

Register Now for Swimming Lessons and Aquafit Classes

Register today for our Gentle or Deep End 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 our Lifesaving Society Programs. We offer swim programs for a broad range of ages and abilities, taught by expert certified instructors in our large indoor pool. Registration is open to Members and Non-Members. For more information, visit our website, contact us at fitness@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 ext. 215.


View our Aquatics Programs

Personal Training and Small Group Personal Training

Make 2024 the year you transform your fitness and health, with the support and guidance of our professional Personal Trainers. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, add muscle, or improve your all-round health, our one-on-one personal training sessions are perfect for you. Or try our Small Group Personal Training program to enjoy the camaraderie of group fitness with the individualization and the attention of a personal trainer, but at a fraction of the cost.


Meet our Trainers!


Learn More

Calling all Artists: Try our Less Defined Landscape Workshop

Integrating both landscape and abstract, the Less Defined Landscape workshop will inspire students to interpret, simplify and edit photo references using less traditional techniques and colour palettes, while encouraging creativity and imagination. This 4-week painting workshop runs from March 6 to 27 and is suitable for intermediate to advanced students with prior experience.


Learn More

 

A MESSAGE FROM A VALUED ARTS PARTNER

TLN Media Group Presents the Best in Italian Cinema

TLN Media Group is introducing a series of special initiatives this year in celebration of its 40th anniversary (1984-2024). The first of such special initiatives starts this month, with a year-long series of special screenings of Canada’s largest collection of recent never-before-seen Italian cinematic films (with English subtitles).


In collaboration with Cineplex, theatres in 10 Canadian cities across the country (Including Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas and Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan), will present special limited screenings of a new film each month. It all kicks off on January 20 & 22 with screenings of the hilarious Italian comedy “The Boss and the Cutie (Rosanero)”, starring Salvatore Esposito as Totò (a rising boss of Neapolitan organized crime gang) and Fabiana Martucci (a little girl in the 5th grade). After encountering nasty accidents and falling into comas, they wake up in the hospital to find that they are trapped in the other's body. And hilarity ensues. 

 

Click here for more details and to secure your tickets for these limited screening

 
 


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 | info@villacharities.com | 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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