Villa Charities was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Salvatore Ritacca, co-founder of the Leonardo Da Vinci Academy of Arts & Sciences, a valued tenant at the Columbus Centre. Villa Charities had the pleasure of collaborating with Sal on numerous events and deeply appreciated his partnership, warmth and generosity. His visionary leadership and passion for academic excellence has left a lasting impact on generations of students and staff. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Sal’s family, friends and the LDVA family during this difficult time.

Join Villa Charities and Caffe Cinquecento every Thursday this August at 8:00pm for Cinema Sotto le Stelle, our outdoor film series on the Caffe Cinquecento patio. Tonight’s film, “Sulla Terra Leggeri” by Sara Fgaier, takes audiences on an evocative journey through memory and landscape. Screenings continue every Thursday through August 28.

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Enjoy the height of summer and join us on Sunday, August 17 from 11:00am to 3:00pm, to commemorate Ferragosto, Italy’s beloved summer holiday! Spend the afternoon with family and friends taking in live musical entertainment, children’s activities, raffle prizes, traditional porchetta, pasta and fresh pizza, and a licensed patio at Caffe Cinquecento. New this year, visit our Market Lane to explore vendor booths offering a variety of goods and seasonal favourites. Presented in partnership with CIBPA Toronto. Tickets are $5.00 and available to purchase online.

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The Italian tradition of Ballo Liscio continues Wednesday, August 6 at 6:30pm in the Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard. Join us every Wednesday all summer long for outdoor social dancing with music by popular Italian DJs and musicians. Ballo Liscio runs weekly through August 27.

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Be among the first to explore “On New Ground: Giuseppe Mercurio Toronto Retrospective” at the Opening Reception on Thursday, September 4 at 6:00pm. A significant representative of the Italian artistic diaspora to Canada after the Second World War, Giuseppe Mercurio’s work spans two decades and includes a rich selection of pieces created using various techniques and media. Admission to the reception is free, but advance registration is required. Presented as part of Ontario Culture Days at Villa Charities, the exhibition runs from September 4 to 29, 2025.

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Step back into 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. This high-energy 8-piece band brings Prima’s biggest hits to life, including “Oh Marie,” “Zooma Zooma,” “Buona Sera,” and more. Part lounge act, part history lesson, and part celebration of Sicilian contributions to jazz, this interactive show is sure to be a whole lotta fun. Presented in partnership with Frank Adriano Entertainment.

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Learn the art of making ciambelle—the traditional anise-flavoured bread from the City of Veroli in Italy’s Lazio region—during a live demonstration by the Veroli Cultural Society on Thursday, September 11 at 7:00pm. The evening also features musical entertainment by Gianni Mignardi, along with wine, biscotti, and light refreshments. Presented in partnership with the Veroli Cultural Society.

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Author Marlene Giuliano shares the remarkable true story behind her book “The Devil in His Big Blue Eyes” on Friday, September 12 at 7:00pm in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery. When her teenage son, struggling with bullying and isolation, made an alliance with the devil online, her family faced a harrowing spiritual crisis. With faith, support from the church, and a chance encounter, he ultimately recovered. This powerful book is a story of courage, healing, and hope.

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Celebrate the annual Italian tradition of tomato sauce-making on Sunday, September 14 from 11:00am to 1:30pm in the Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard. Enjoy a pasta lunch and music by DJ Gianni Mignardi, plus take home a complimentary jar of fresh tomato sauce—courtesy of Villa Charities!* Buy your tickets in advance to secure your spot. Only a limited number of tickets are available at the door.

*First-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

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Experience an evening of poetry and music with poet, singer-songwriter, and educator Joseph Maviglia on Tuesday, September 23 at 7:30pm. Through readings from his book “A God Hangs Upside Down” and selections from his music collections, Joseph reflects on his journey from rural southern Italy to urban Canada. Renowned for his energized performances, he blends music, poetry, and non-fiction essays—drawing on a career spanning decades and international tours. The performance will be followed by an audience Q&A.

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Ontario Culture Days, the annual celebration of arts, culture, and heritage, returns from September 19 to October 12, 2025. Villa Charities is proud to be an Official Festival Hub for Ontario Culture Days, offering FREE events, drop-ins, and cultural programs that foster joy, pride, and meaningful community connections. This year’s programming invites the public to take part in a broad range of multidisciplinary, hands-on, and behind-the-scenes activities that highlight the power of arts and culture. Event registration is now open.

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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, September 5. 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.

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Join Villa Charities on Friday, November 7, 2025, to celebrate our volunteers at the 2025 Heart & Hand Awards. 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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We’ve just extended our Personal Training Summer Sale at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club for four more weeks! Now through September 15, save up to 30%* on a package that includes eight 1-hour private sessions with a Certified Personal Trainer, plus InBody assessments and a full body composition review. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your fitness goals further with one-on-one expert support.

*Conditions apply. See website for full details.

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Level up your fitness routine this fall at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club. Registration opens Tuesday, August 19 at 9:00am for our fall term Premium Fitness Programs, including TRX^®, Non-Contact Boxing, Judo, Pilates, Pickleball, Squash, and more. Led by certified instructors, these specialized programs go beyond our regular Group Fitness offerings to deliver dynamic, structured workouts in a supportive environment. Open to both Members and Non-Members.

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Camp season is wrapping up, but there are still spots available for the final week of Summer Camp at the Columbus Centre. Our engaging general and specialty programs are led by experienced staff and offer a fun, active environment where kids can learn, grow, and make lasting memories. Camps continue through August 22, 2025.

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Get moving in the water this fall with Aquafit classes and group swimming lessons at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club. Whether you’re looking for a low-impact workout or want to improve your swimming skills, we offer programs for all ages and levels, led by certified instructors in our large indoor pool. Registration opens Tuesday, September 2 at 9:00am for Aquafit programs and Saturday, September 13 at 9:00am for group swimming lessons.

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The Columbus Centre School of Music is happy to welcome returning and new students for the 2025/2026 season of music classes beginning September 8, 2025. Discover your musical passion and save 10% when booking for a full year of lessons (September 2025 – June 2026). Register by September 8, 2025.

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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, our outdoor courts are available daily from 7:00am to 10:00pm until October 31, 2025. Whether you’re an experienced player or just starting out, enjoy a full season of outdoor play.

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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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Turn your next birthday or special event into a pool party at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club! Our indoor pool rentals offer a fun and memorable experience for all ages, with certified staff on-site to ensure a safe and stress-free event. Visit our website for pricing or email gungar@villacharities.com for booking and full details.

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