It’s #TributeThursday, and we’re featuring immigrant histories from the Villa Charities

Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute Project. This week, we are highlighting Salvatore

and Ida Cundari, who immigrated from Cosenza, Calabria in 1952 and 1953,

respectively.

We invite you to join us on Thursday, November 3 at 6:00pm for our next Virtual Town Hall with Marco DeVuono, President and CEO of Villa Charities. At this meeting we will be sharing information and answering questions about the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute project, honouring Italian immigrants and their families. If you would like to participate, please RSVP by Tuesday, November 1 to [email protected] and we will send you the GoToMeeting link to use.

RSVP Now

Join us for the opening night reception of Mimmo Baronello’s “Sustenance” exhibition, tonight at 6:30pm at the

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery.

In "Sustenance" Sicilian-born Mimmo Baronello explores the morphing of nature in a polluted environment, mirroring our own struggle to adapt to constant and pervasive technological changes.

His art blends the mannerist and baroque styles present in Sicilian culture and architecture, with contemporary iconography and Canadian natural imagery. The exhibition runs to December 3, 2022.

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Join singer-songwriter, dancer and actor Andrea Ramolo on Tuesday, November 1 for a Cultural Tuesdays lecture that explores the ancestral music of the “Tarantella” and “Pizzica.” With a focus on the Salento region of Italy, we’ll discover the cultural phenomenon of the Taranta spider, and Southern Italian music as a form of healing. Topics such as tarantism, the tamburello and zampogna, Ernesto De Martino, le seranate, and more will be discussed. Andrea will also reflect on her time filming her first documentary in Salento. 

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Villa Charities in collaboration with the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association of Toronto (CIBPA) presents two lectures about finance. Experienced financial specialists and planners will focus on several topics and provide helpful advice. Join us on Tuesday, November 8 for “Finance for Young Expats” and Tuesday, November 15 for “Finance for Seniors.” 

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Sagre (festivals) are traditional events where we come together as a community to socialize, discover and enjoy seasonal Italian food and traditions. Each month we present a sagra featuring a different Italian food theme. Join us for our next festival of the season on Wednesday, November 9 at 6:30pm with Sagra della Castagna / Roasted Chestnut Festival. This event will coincide with Ballo Liscio, featuring live musical performances and dancing! Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

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Our friendly and interactive “Art & Aperitivo” sessions are an opportunity to learn and practice Italian, in a relaxed and social environment. Enjoy a drink and snacks together with instructor Daniela Sanzone and fellow classmates as we discuss and explore Italian art, from frescos to magnificent fountains, paintings to monumental architecture and hidden treasures of Italy. Register now for classes beginning November 7, for both English and Italian speakers. 

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Villa Charities is a proud Community Partner for the 4^th annual Festa Calabrese, presented by Heritage Calabria, on Friday, November 11 at the Columbus Centre. This special evening includes a classic Calabrese meal, tastings from local Calabrese food vendors, homemade wine competition, tarantella and dancing, awards ceremony, after party and more! For tickets and information, visit heritagecalabria.com.

Buy Tickets

Savour the flavours of Tuscany with “Taste of Tuscany” on November 25 at 7:00pm. Indulge in delicious and authentic regional specialties prepared by Slow Food Toronto President and Chef, Luciano Schipano.

Check out the menu for this delectable four-course dinner and book your tickets now! 

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Do you want to learn Italian while reading critically acclaimed and popular novels? Register now for our next workshop on Wednesday, November 30 at 7:00pm, when we will be discussing

“Dove mi trovo” / "Whereabouts” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri. Our online book club is an opportunity to explore and discuss contemporary Italian literature while learning Italian. 

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On December 6 at 6:30pm, learn about making fresh egg dough including the process beginning from the “well” method, the importance of resting and choosing the right flours. Chef Anthony Sestito from Pastaio will teach participants about some simple, yet significant filled pasta shapes and styles as well as different types of fillings and their pairing with shapes and sizes. At the end of the class, enjoy a simple sauce and final dish of Cappellaci Di Zucca, with sage, pine nuts and pancetta. 

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Download your copy of our digital Fall & Winter Program Guide and enjoy everything we have to offer at Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre. We have programs for all ages and interests including cultural events, art exhibitions, Italian language workshops, health and fitness, dance, visual arts, music, special culinary events and more. 

View The Program Guide

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 and must be scheduled in advance.

The next Friday Chats is scheduled for Friday, November 11.

Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or

email [email protected] 

Book Your Meeting

Shallow Water Gentle Aquafitness provides a great stretching, strengthening, and low impact aerobic workout, in warm, soothing waist to chest-deep water. A great aerobic workout for toning muscles and improving flexibility. No previous swimming experience necessary. Extra charges required for Premium Programs.

For registration or more information email [email protected] or

call 416-789-7011 Ext. 231.

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Using water as resistance, aquafitness training provides a great aerobic workout in a pool, while being low impact and easy on joints. Perfect for any fitness level, your private instructor will guide you through a series of exercises for flexibility, muscular strength, cardiovascular health and stretching. Dive in and experience your own private aquafitness class! Extra charges required for Premium Programs.

For registration or more information email [email protected]m or

call 416-789-7011 Ext. 215.

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Our new Small Group Personal Training program is a great opportunity for Columbus Centre Athletic Club Members to benefit from the energy and camaraderie of group fitness with the individualization and the attention of a personal trainer, at a fraction of the cost. Sessions are designed to provide motivation and accountability, ensuring consistency in reaching your fitness goals. Our trainers specialize in providing results for those who are looking to build muscle, gain strength, improve endurance, and boost fat loss.  

For more information, visit the Membership Office or email [email protected]

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