Villa Charities was saddened to hear of the passing of Executive Chef Gino Marchetti. Gino was a treasured member of the Villa Charities and Columbus Centre family for thirty years, as the Executive Chef for Ristorante Boccaccio and Caffè Cinquecento. After joining our organization in 1989 until his retirement in 2019, he contributed extensively to the growth of our food services and catering operations. Chef Marchetti trained at Italy's world-renowned Villa Santa Maria Abruzzo’s culinary school, honing his world-class culinary skills in restaurants throughout Europe and North America. He was beloved by many in the community as the face of Ristorante Boccaccio, contributing to its success as the local destination for authentic regional Italian cuisine. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Italian Chefs of Canada. Gino will be fondly remembered by many for his tremendous talents and significant contributions to the culinary industry.

There’s only 4 days left to experience “Homecoming”; an exhibition by Italian-Canadian photographer Franco Deleo, that explores tensions of sexuality and tradition, interior and exterior, and vulnerability and strength. Join us for the closing reception on Saturday, May 11, 7:00pm at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery.

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Surrounded by candlelight, Italian-Canadian tenor Giacomo Folinazzo with special guest, classically trained soprano Maria Vetere perform a repertoire of canzoni, arias, duets, and popular songs in English and Italian. Back by popular demand, get your tickets today for Wednesday, May 29!

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Setting minds in bliss while enchanting souls with her music, Myriam Blardone is an international award-winning multi-instrumentalist, best known for her skills on the piano, harp, and violin. Spanning across pop, hip-hop, and R&B, she also provided vocals for “Churchill Downs” by Jack Harlow feat. Drake. Join us at the Columbus Centre on Thursday, May 30. Discounted tickets are available for students and seniors.

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Don't miss your chance to be part of this wonderful month-long commemoration of culture and heritage that will transport you to the heart of Italy. From music to comedy, authors to exhibitions, check out our 2024 Italian Heritage Month programming line-up for June at the link below, and get your tickets today!

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Lu Sicilianu Raggiatu’s energy, honesty, and Italian family stories deliver non-stop laughter. The popular comedian will be returning to the Columbus Centre with his new tour, “Why Me?”, hitting stages all across Canada and the US. Don’t miss your chance to experience his hilarious sketches and unique style in his latest stand-up comedy show on June 7.

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Give back to your community and gain unique and enriching experience by volunteering to support our cultural events. Villa Charities needs volunteers to assist with our on-site cultural presentations for the community. Plus, you’ll get to experience a broad range of Italian-inspired events and programs, for free! If you’re interested in finding out more or would like to apply, please email us at volunteering@villacharities.com.

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We invite all members of the community to join us on Thursday, May 23 at 6:00pm 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. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to iusic@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 Ext. 240 by May 17.

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, June 14. Contact us today to schedule your in-person or virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email iusic@villacharities.com.

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Villa Charities is now accepting applications for our 2024 Scholarship Program! 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 $1,000 are available to Undergraduate students and four awards of $2,000 are available to Graduate level students. Deadline to apply is June 30, 2024.

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Experience the Ultimate Sports Camp — where kids explore and excel! Join us for a summer of fun and skill development in dodgeball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, flag football, floor hockey, swimming, and more. Expert coaches ensure a safe, inclusive environment for all skill levels. Enroll your child today!

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Attention students! Looking for somewhere to work out this summer? Look no further than the Columbus Centre Athletic Club! Explore our 11,000 sq. ft. main gym with state-of-the-art equipment, personal training, indoor running track, fitness classes, and more. Sign up by May 31 for zero enrollment fees and 25% off your first month. Don't miss out on this unbeatable offer!

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Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 15 when registration for our summer Children's Swimming Lessons opens for Members and Non-Members. We provide a range of lessons tailored to children of all ages and abilities. Whether it's their first splash or they're seeking to refine advanced aquatic skills, our expert instructors are ready to guide them. Lessons begin July 8.

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Discover Small Group Personal Training — group fitness with personalized attention at a fraction of the cost. Stay motivated and accountable with expert trainers guiding you towards your fitness goals. Join our specialized multi-week clinics for tailored training. Limited spots available—book your demo session now!

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The Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary (VCTA) is gearing up for its 33^rd Annual Golf Tournament! This year’s fundraising event will be held at Carrying Place Golf & Country Club on Wednesday, June 5. Please join us for a fun-filled day featuring breakfast and lunch at The Manor Event Venue, a friendly game of golf, a delicious sit-down luncheon, raffle prizes, a silent auction, and trophies. Your participation, support, and generosity are crucial for the success of this event, which will benefit the seniors at Villa Colombo Toronto.

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On April 24, 2024, representatives from the Residents’ Council, led by the President, Angela, warmly received the 300 Holy Face of Jesus medals and prayer cards for the Villa Colombo Toronto residents from Caboto Terrace resident, Jan Robinson. The medals and prayer cards represented her Lenten Project as a way of expressing her desire to help the VCT residents in their spiritual journey. Thank you to Teresa Cribari, VCT Program Manager, for her help with this project.

Treat Mom to a special lunch on May 12, featuring Chef Luciano Schipano's exquisite creations and live music by Alessandro Battaglia. Enjoy a sumptuous spread including Antipasto delights, Pasta Station favorites, and delectable main courses like Grilled Salmon and Chicken Piccata. Indulge in decadent desserts and upgrade to our unlimited open bar for just $25. Reserve your spot now and show Mom how much she means to you.

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This exhibition in conjunction with the Jewish Music Week Festival, explores the many facets of Jewish Music. Influences and inspiration are drawn from 3,000 years of Jewish history, spanning every continent and era, Sephardic, Mizrachi, Ashkenazic and Levantine. Curators of this exhibit, Melanie Siegel and Ian Leventhal, are represented, alongside, contemporary digital artist; Gina Godfrey, Mixed Media Sculptor: Sara Petroff, Multi Media Painter Matt Pine and Abstractionist Rina Gottesman. May 16 – 29 at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery.

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CIBPA Toronto is excited to announce the launch of the second year of Italia360, our incubator program developed in partnership with world-leading tech incubator DMZ, tailored to support first-generation Canadians, individuals with Italian heritage, and newcomers. The program offers participants mentorship from CIBPA and DMZ’s network, customized coaching with industry experts, and exclusive workshops conducted by CIBPA mentors. At the end of the program, students will participate in a dynamic pitch competition, for a chance to win a trip to Italy. Applications close on May 24, 2024.

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