CULTURAL TUESDAYS
Art Historian Dr. Claudette Mainzer Presents
"Picasso: The Italian Voyage 1917-1924"
Join us on Tuesday, October 19 at 7:00pm for a fascinating exploration of one of the greatest and most-influential artists of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso, in our upcoming Cultural Tuesdays program, “Picasso: The Italian Voyage 1917 – 1924”.
 
Recent studies on Pablo Picasso’s travels through Italy, particularly his contribution to theatre, reveal fascinating connections between Picasso’s post-Cubist work and his experiences in Italy.
 
Picasso’s 1917 visit to Rome, Pompeii and his encounter with popular arts and classical works of antiquity in Naples, had an immediate impact on his art. It was from these experiences in Italy, that he conceived and completed the theatre curtain for the ballet “Parade”. His subsequent paintings are also indebted to newly adopted iconographic and stylistic features that ushered in his “Classical Period” from 1917-1924.
 
The artist’s personal notebooks had been inaccessible to the public until after his death. In fact, 200 or more private notebooks of Picasso only entered the public domain in 1998. Albums filled with drawings, annotations, studies, and specific notes on paintings and sculptures all shed new light on Picasso’s life and work.

Register now for Dr. Claudette Mainzer’s lecture, where she will highlight and demonstrate how Italy impacted Picasso’s life and development of his art.

Tuesday, October 19 – 7:00pm
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre
 
To ensure the safety of all attendees there will be a maximum capacity of 80 people for this event. Proof of vaccination is required for entry.
New NoviFresh® Post-Filters Installed Throughout the Columbus Centre
Villa Charities has just completed the installation of new NoviFresh® post-filters throughout the Columbus Centre, including our administrative offices and facilities for our tenants, TLN Media Group, Leonardo Da Vinci Academy and Academy of Realist Art. The Columbus Centre is the first building to benefit from the new and unique NoviFresh® post-filter technology, which reduces airborne pathogens including COVID-19 and improves air quality. This latest upgrade project is part of our ongoing commitment to provide safe workplaces and facilities for our staff, patrons and visitors.
 
Read more about the NoviFresh® post-filter technology here.
Immerse Yourself in Italian with our Learn Italian by Doing Workshops
Don’t miss any of our virtual language workshops with our Learn Italian by Doing program this fall! From our book clubs (“Racconti in Italiano” and “Club del Libro”) and exploring the history and culture of Italy (“Travel through Italy”) to our casual conversation session (“Art & Aperitivo”), there is a workshop for everybody. Join us in a relaxed and “simpatico” atmosphere outside of a traditional classroom to learn or just polish your Italian!
 
Cultural Tuesdays Ennio Morricone: In His Own Words Continues with Second Lecture
This 4-part lecture series commemorates the late composer Ennio Morricone by examining his career through his unforgettable film soundtracks, from Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns to Hollywood films by Quentin Tarantino. Inspired by his biography “Ennio Morricone: In His Own Words”, these lectures will reflect on Morricone’s personal experiences as a composer for Italian and international cinema while exploring the relationship between images and music. Join us for the second lecture, “Music and Images” on Tuesday, October 26 at 7:00pm.

Celebrate Week of the Italian Language in the World 2021 with “LIONEL”
Join the Consulate General of Switzerland in Montreal, in collaboration with Villa Charities and Istituto Italiano di Cultura for a special screening of the film “LIONEL” by Swiss director Mohammed Soudani. As part of XXI Settimana della Lingua italiana nel mondo (Week of the Italian Language in the World 2021), this film will be screened in its original version of Italian with English subtitles. Register below for this free event! We hope to see you on Thursday, October 21 at 6:30pm.
 
Book Your Virtual One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with the CEO
You can have a virtual meeting with Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities Inc., for a one-on-one conversation to answer any questions or to share your thoughts on our programs and services. These informal chats with Marco will be held using GoToMeeting on the 2nd Friday of every month, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Appointments are 20 minutes each and must be scheduled in advance. The next Friday Chats is scheduled for Friday, November 12. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 ext. 240 or email [email protected].
Italian Parent & Tot Language Classes
Available Twice a Week
L’ora dei bimbi is a unique and inspired Italian language program for parents and toddlers co-presented by Multilingual Kids and Villa Charities. Embrace your heritage while bonding with your child through songs, rhymes and stories. Join us at the Columbus Centre on Thursdays at 9:30am now through November 25 and Saturdays at 4:00pm now through December 4. For more information, email [email protected].
A 'Tagliatelle' Pasta Lesson & San Petronio, Bologna
Bolognese gastronomy lessons dedicated
to Emilian pasta, tagliatelle ... and
discovering the secrets of the Basilica of
San Petronio. Join us on October 15, 19 and 22 at the Columbus Centre.Participation is free. Presented by Basilica di San Petronio, Associazione Amarcord Emiliano-Romagnoli dell’Ontario, Associazione Ni.Bo, Regione Emilia-Romagna - Consulta degli Emiliano-Romagnoli nel Mondo, and Villa Charities. To register, send an email to [email protected]
Villa Charities Supports ICCO Canada for Upcoming IT@CA Conference
Villa Charities is proud to support the new IT@CA edition, “Discovering the circular nature of COVID-19” on October 21 at 6:00pm. This free online conference features Italian virologist Ilaria Capua, in conversation with Anna Maria Tremonti, Canadian Journalist, Podcaster and 17 Season Host of "The Current". The conference will explore the re-evaluation of health in the context of a circular system that encompasses humans and the environment in which we live. Register today!

Villa Charities Celebrates
50 Years with #ThrowbackThursday
In celebration of our 50th anniversary this year, we’re sharing lots of fun and interactive social media content for the Villa Charities community. Check out this #ThrowbackThursday image from 1973 where members of the 756 Ossington Seniors Club visited the newly purchased Playfair Avenue site of Villa Colombo Toronto with ICBC President Anthony Fusco (third from right), ICBC staff Pal Di Iulio (third from left) and Paul Ariemma (first on left). Follow us on our social media channels as we continue to celebrate our 50th anniversary.
 
Indoor Group Fitness Classes Resume at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club
Group fitness classes at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club are now available indoors in our studios as well as virtually! From spinning and Circuit 55+ to high-energy ZUMBA®, we have a wide range of group classes that are included with your membership. To follow government protocols, there will be a 10-person maximum for in-studio classes. Proof of vaccination is required for entry. Advance registration is required online through the Antaris Member portal, for in-studio classes.
 
Try One of Our Premium Group Fitness Programs
Registration is now open for our Fall 2021 Premium Group Fitness Programs at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club for Members and Non-Members. Sign up for a variety of Yoga classes such as Hatha Yoga, Gentle Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Vinyasa Yoga. You can also try Olympic-Style Noncontact Boxing! Register via email at [email protected], in person at our Membership Office during office hours or call 416-789-7011 ext. 231.
 
Registration is Still Open for October Painting Masterclass
Join professional artist and multi-award recipient Sam Paonessa as he guides you on creating your very own masterpiece while enhancing your understanding of specific painting techniques. These stand-alone workshops will focus on light, shadows and colour theory, and students will learn to capture light and paint convincing shadows. Register for the “Fabulous Fall Colour” workshop on October 21 at 6:30pm.
 
Drop-in Classes at DanzArts Toronto Available
We invite you to try a drop-in recreational dance class with DanzArts Toronto at the Columbus Centre. The Recreational program for dancers ages two and up are designed to develop technical skills and foster artistic expression. Students may choose to enroll in one or several classes of any style, including Kinderdance, tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, acrobatics, musical theatre and more. Never miss the chance to dance!
 
Discover Your Musical Talent at the Columbus Centre School of Music
Learn a new instrument this fall! Columbus Centre School of Music offers affordable and practical lessons for all instruments to kids, teens, adults, seniors or groups. From piano to voice lessons, our instructors have in-person and virtual classes available. Contact [email protected] or call 416-789-7011 ext. 248 to for more information or to join.
 
Applications for our Seniors’ Apartments Are Open
Villa Charities is accepting applications for our three apartment buildings designed for seniors living within our community. Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo offer an independent living lifestyle to seniors with residences that provide excellent amenities and services in a central GTA location. Interested applicants aged 59+ are encouraged to fill out the contact form on our website today.