Villa Charities Scholarship Program Applications Open Monday, May 2! 
Villa Charities is excited to announce that applications for the 2022 Villa Charities Scholarship Program will be accepted beginning Monday, May 2!
 
This opportunity is available to students of any heritage who help further Villa Charities’ mission of enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.

Four awards of $2,500 are available to Undergraduate students and four awards of $5,000 are available to Graduate level students.
 
Eligible students are required to demonstrate leadership through community involvement or volunteering, as well as write a submission essay describing how they helped further Villa Charities’ mission. Students must be registered full-time at an accredited college or university and enrolled for the 2022/2023 academic year. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2022.
 
For a full list of criteria and more information on how to apply, click the button below!
Villa Charities
Today We Honour the Italian Fallen Workers
Today, on the official National Day of Mourning, we honour the more than 1,600 Italian fallen workers who have lost their lives to workplace tragedies in Canada. Villa Charities is proud to be the home of the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Wall, which was unveiled in 2016 in partnership with the Committee for the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Project. We hope that you stand with us today to commemorate these fallen workers and honour their extraordinary efforts and vast contributions to the social and economic progress of Canada.
Villa Charities Ends Masking Policy for Patrons
With key public health and health system indicators continuing to remain stable or improve, we have decided to end the masking mandate for Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre. Beginning Sunday, May 1, 2022, patrons, members and visitors to our facilities will no longer be required to wear a mask. However, we still support mask-wearing as an ongoing protective health measure and encourage everyone participating in our programs and services to continue wearing a mask should they wish to do so.

“The Quiet Immigrant Project” Exhibition Now Open
Cultural Connections with support from Villa Charities presents “The Quiet Immigrant Project,” an homage to the brave Italian women who immigrated to Canada after WW2 and through sheer strength of character wove their way into the fabric of society. Their stories of strength, courage, determination, and sacrifice are sure to move, amuse, and captivate. “The Quiet Immigrant Project” is a multifaceted, multimedia, and multilayered legacy exhibit at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, on now through June 26. And check out their events including ArtistsPERFORM tonight at 7:00pm and Stasera Si Mangia e Balla on Thursday, May 5 at 6:30pm.

Giro Announces TLN Media Group as Presenting Sponsor
Villa Charities Foundation is proud to announce TLN Media Group as the Presenting Sponsor for the Villa Charities Giro cycling fundraiser on Sunday, May 29, 2022, at Veneto Centre in Woodbridge. Register today! Proceeds raised at this year’s Giro will support the Canadian Red Cross’ Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. Register today! Minimum fundraising of $300 with a registration fee of $100. 

Discuss Contemporary Italian Literature with “Club del Libro”
Our online book club led by instructor Violante Binazzi is an opportunity to explore and discuss contemporary Italian literature while learning Italian. Join us for our next session on Wednesday, May 25 at 7:00pm, where we will embark on our next literary adventure with "Il caffè sospeso: saggezza quotidiana in piccoli sorsi" by Luciano De Crescenzo. 

Love Movies? Join Us for “The Italian Film Composers” Series
Don’t miss this multimedia journey through the music of three of the most influential, Academy Award-winning, Italian film composers: Nino Rota, Luis Bacalov and Nicola Piovani. In this three-part Cultural Tuesdays series presentation you’ll learn about and enjoy some of the most famous film scores and music themes in cinema. On Tuesday, May 3 we’ll discuss the memorable film scores by Nino Rota (“Il padrino” / “The Godfather”) and on Tuesday, May 17) scores by Luis Bacalov will be explored (“Il postino” / “The Postman”).

Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Birth
This year marks the centenary of the birth of poet, director and artist Pier Paolo Pasolini. As part of the schedule of events to mark the occasion, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in collaboration with Villa Charities presents two special events. On May 3, join us for “The Biography of Contradiction”, presented by Barth David Schwartz, author and Rhodes scholar. On May 4, enjoy “The Poetry of Pier Paolo Pasolini”, a staged reading by RH Thomson and Nestor Saied. For ticketing information and more details, click on the links below.

 
Discover Italy’s Foremost Sculptor, Antonio Canova
This two-part lecture on May 11 and 18 by David Pantano celebrates the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822), whose works such as “Cupid and Psyche” and “The Three Graces” are world-renowned. Presented through beautiful photographs, these triumphant statues of neoclassic art form the core of the lectures, which also include depictions of paintings, preparatory drawings and terracotta models. Register today!
A Concert of Baroque Music Inspired by the Sounds of Nature
Join us for “All Creatures Great and Small” on Friday, May 20 at 7:30pm and explore how nature and art are connected in a concert of exquisite chamber music! Throughout the baroque compositions of Vivaldi, Biber, Monteclair, Merula, you will experience how the animal world has always inspired the music world. Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on the many creatures that keep us company with their music, every day. Presented by Villa Charities and North Wind. Tafelmusik is the Community Partner.
Join Us for Our Annual General Meeting on May 26
We invite all members of the community to join us on Thursday, May 26 at 5:00pm at the Columbus Centre for the Villa Charities Annual General Meeting. The meeting will include brief presentations to share highlights from the past year and Q & A sessions with Villa Charities Inc. and each of the Affiliate organizations. The evening will also feature a short performance from our DanzArts Toronto program and a showcase of activities on the Villa Charities campus. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to [email protected] or call 416-789-7011 Ext. 240 by May 23. 

Buy Your Tickets Early for “Taste of Abruzzo”
If you haven’t experienced our Taste of Italy series yet, be sure to get tickets for the next special event. Don’t miss your chance to indulge in delicious and authentic Italian dishes at “Taste of Abruzzo” on Friday, May 27 at 7:00pm at the Columbus Centre. Enjoy a four-course meal prepared by Slow Food Toronto President and Chef, Luciano Schipano. A culinary experience unlike any other!
Book Your Virtual One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with Marco
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 are 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, May 13. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 ext. 240 or email [email protected].

Villa Charities Foundation
Special Group Night at Toronto FC in Support of Villa Charities
Get your family and friends together and come out to cheer on Toronto FC on Saturday, July 9 at BMO Field when they take on the San Jose Earthquakes, all in support of Villa Charities. $5.00 from every ticket sold will go to Villa Charities Foundation, in support of senior care, cultural programming, youth services, education and scholarships, and capital needs. Plus, buy your tickets by May 5 and be entered in our Early Bird draw for your chance to win a Toronto FC jersey and scarf!
 
Congratulations to the 2021/2022 George Brown Culinary Scholarship Winners!
Villa Charities is excited to announce the winners of its 2021/2022 Culinary Arts – Italian Program Scholarships at George Brown College. Awards of $2,500 each were presented to eight students, all of whom are enrolled in the Culinary Arts – Italian Program at George Brown College. This Villa Charities Scholarship is supported by The Food Dudes. Please consider supporting this program or others like it and donate today. Your gift will have a profound impact on students, their education, and their future success. Click the link below to read the full announcement with all the winners. 
Join the Villa Charities Circle!  
Villa Charities’ vision is to inspire people to explore the Italian in all of us. We do this by offering programming and services that celebrate Italian culture and heritage. Help sustain our programming and services by becoming a monthly donor. Monthly donations work year-long to meet the needs of our community. We invite you to join the Villa Charities Circle, and demonstrate your commitment to our vision and support of our multigenerational community. Thank you, grazie mille, for making a difference! 

Register Now for the Ital-Canadian Golf Open
Join us on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at The Country Club, as CIBPA Toronto, ICCO Canada, and Villa Charities Foundation come together again to celebrate our community and give back in a meaningful way. Proceeds from The Ital-Canadian Golf Open will support scholarships and bursaries for undergraduate and graduate level students across the country. Visit italcanadiangolfopen.com for details and to register.

Columbus Centre
Athletic Club Spring Registration On Now
Registration for the Columbus Centre Athletic Club's spring programs is on now, for Members and Non-Members. Sign up today for our athletics and aquatics programs, taught by expert instructors in our expansive fitness facilities. We offer a wide array of classes for a range of ages, abilities and interests!
Sign Up for our Racquet Sport House Leagues
Columbus Centre Athletic Club offers house leagues including tennis and squash. These competitive leagues allow players to compete with other players and accumulate points on their own time, with a final match between the top players for the win. Prizes and social will be held at Caffe Cinquecento following the final match. Sign up today!
Master Your Painting Techniques with our Masterclasses
Professional artist and multi-award recipient Sam Paonessa will guide you on creating your very own masterpiece, while enhancing your understanding of specific painting techniques. In our next live virtual workshop, “Flower Garden” on May 12, you’ll learn to render convincing textures such as stone and wood and explore composition and use of a common subject as a focal point.

Learn to Play Tennis and Pickleball at the Athletic Club
Now is the time to learn tennis or pickleball, with lessons at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club. Our “Learn to Play” six-week tennis program is for adults at a beginner level. We will cover basic stroke fundamentals, technique, and form. Or try your hand at pickleball, one of the most popular and fastest growing sports, with one of our upcoming clinics. Contact the Membership Office for dates and pricing.
A Message From a Valued Arts Partner
Leonardo Da Vinci Academy’s “Serata Italiana” Celebration
Leonardo Da Vinci Academy is happy to share its "Serata Italiana" celebration with the greater community - the first at its new location at the Columbus Centre. This traditional annual event is a commemoration and occasion to promote Italian language and culture. This year, two of our themes were the Tarantella and Pinocchio. It was a wonderful opportunity for our children to enjoy the Italian language, art, dance and music.