Congratulations to Toni Varone on his appointment on December 20, 2023, to the Senate of Canada as an independent senator for Ontario. Toni has been a part of the Villa Charities organization for over 40 years. He currently sits on our Foundation Board and has helped shape our organization into one of the largest community non-profit organizations in the country. Toni has a passion for the Italian-Canadian community and community-building. We have had the pleasure of working with him and witnessed his philanthropic work, first-hand.

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Festa Popolare is a group of Italian-Canadian musicians performing the ancient, joyous, and sometimes surprising traditional dance music of Southern Italy. Going beyond the well-known repertoire of Tarantelle and 19^th century imports such as the waltz and polka, Festa Popolare presents an array of styles and traditions from the many corners of the South, played on authentic and seldom-seen instruments and sung in their original languages. Join Festa Popolare on Tuesday, January 9 for an evening celebrating the rich musical heritage of Italia meridionale.  

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Toddlers ages 1 to 3 can learn Italian through an immersive experience including storytelling, music and arts. This program, in partnership with Accademia dei Ragazzi, now offers the choice of a 10-hour course (Wednesdays or Fridays) or a 20-hour course (Wednesdays and Fridays). Parents must join their children in the class. 

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Register now for the first online book club workshop of the new year! On Wednesday, January 17, we will 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. The session is only $10 – join us for a lively conversation while practicing your Italian language skills.

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Villa Charities and Italian-Canadian filmmaker and recording artist Andrea Ramolo present a special community screening of her documentary film “The South” on Wednesday, February 21 at 7:00pm. Following the death of her matriarch and beloved grandmother, “The South” follows Andrea Ramolo 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. With funding from the Canada Council for the Arts. 

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Villa Charities has been supporting the Avanti Low Vision Support Group since it was established in July 1985. The group was launched following a fundraising gala with special guest Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, with proceeds going towards the Columbus Centre and to create this specialized program to serve Italian-speaking visually impaired individuals. Volunteers from the Avanti Group guide and assist community members with the use of facilities at the Columbus Centre including the Athletic Club and café.

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 available Friday Chat is scheduled for Friday, January 12. Contact us today to schedule your in-person or virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email iusic@villacharities.com.

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There’s never been a better time to participate in Giro with this year’s event on Sunday, May 26 at Veneto Centre sure to be a fun and memorable experience. Ride with us and demonstrate your commitment to supporting programs and services that celebrate and honour Italian culture and heritage. The Villa Charities Giro Cycling Fundraiser is one of Villa Charities Foundation’s most important fundraising events, and we need your support to make this 17^th annual edition the best year yet! Register before February 25^th and get FREE registration.

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Registration for the Athletic Club's Premium Fitness Programs is on now for Members and Non-Members. Check out all our programs including Yoga, Cardio Kickboxing, Judo, Pilates, TRX^® and more. Winter term classes begin the week of January 8^th 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.

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Our Gentle and Deep End Aquafit programs provide a great stretching, strengthening, and low-impact aerobic workout in warm, soothing water, perfect for toning muscles and improving flexibility. Classes begin the week of January 8^th and registration is open to Members and Non-Members, online or in-person at the Membership Office during office hours.

For more information contact us at fitness@villacharities.com or call

416-789-7011 ext. 215. 

View our Aquafit Programs

Register now for winter term classes and learn how to play a new instrument this year! Columbus Centre School of Music offers affordable and practical lessons in many instruments for kids, teens, adults, seniors or groups. Choose from saxophone, clarinet/flute, violin, piano, guitar, drums, ukulele, accordion or music production with one-on-one instruction by our experienced teachers. The 10-week winter program runs from January 8 to March 18, 2024. Contact cultural@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 Ext. 248 for more information or to register.

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Learn to swim in the new year! With our large indoor swimming pool, our swimming classes cater to preschool-aged children just learning how to swim, to seniors who enjoy aquafitness. Mark your calendar now - Winter 2024 Swimming Lesson Registration opens on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 9:00am for Members and Non-Members, in-person at the Membership Office. Swimming lessons will begin the week of January 15^th for children and adults. For more information, call

416-789-7011 ext. 215 or visit our website.

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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.

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