Italian Heritage Month Feature Event:
Here & Now: Readings and Discussion
Villa Charities, in collaboration with the Association of Italian Canadian Writers (AICW), Accenti Magazine, Longbridge Books, and English Language Arts Network (ELAN), is pleased to invite you to a conversation with the editor and contributors of Here & Now on Tuesday, June 29 at 5pm.
 
Here & Now: An Anthology of Queer Italian-Canadian Writing is the most comprehensive volume yet of queer Italian-Canadian writing and a milestone in Italian-Canadian studies and Canadian literature. The book includes short stories, poems, memoirs, excerpts of novels, plays and film scripts in English. The writings in this groundbreaking anthology take readers on a journey that interweaves private and public spaces, eliciting love and anger, laughter and tears.
 
Featuring more than 35 established and emerging writers, with an introduction by literary scholars Domenic Beneventi, Michela Baldo and Paolo Frascà, the volume has garnered the support of the Queer Studies in Quebec Research Group (ÉRÉQQ), the Association of Italian Canadian Writers (AICW), the Mariano A. Elia Chair in Italian-Canadian Studies at York University, the Frank Iacobucci Centre for Italian-Canadian Studies at the University of Toronto, English Language Arts Network (ELAN), the University of Calabria and Accenti Magazine.
 
Let’s celebrate Pride Month together! Join us for an informative dialogue with our panel: CJ Volpe, Jonathan Settembri, Anthony Portulese, Monica Meneghetti, Liana Cusmano and Licia Canton (editor). Advance registration is required.
 
IHM Event: Serata Musicale: Spotlight on Community Talent with Coro San Marco Choir and Luca Ramelli
Serata Musicale is a video series featuring four concerts by young professional musicians in the Italian-Canadian community. On Thursday, June 24, enjoy the final installment with a performance by three soloists from the Coro San Marco Choir: Sonia Stillo, Michael Nasato and Iwona Jazczur, all accompanied by pianist Adolfo DeSantis, and followed by a performance by Italian-Canadian Luca Ramelli on piano. This performance will be shared today.
 
IHM Event: My Secret Venice with Sebastiano Bazzichetto – Episode 4
The last episode of “My Secret Venice with Sebastiano Bazzichetto” is premiering tomorrow, Friday June 25, at 12:00pm! In its second season, Dr. Sebastiano Bazzichetto is sharing an exclusive 'behind-the-scenes' look at some of the grandest, palatial villas in the Veneto region with stunning virtual tours. The four-part video series takes viewers on a cultural and visual journey to explore hidden gems in the Venetian countryside. The last episode is to not be missed!
Villa Charities Supports Italy: A Place to Go
Presented by the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario, with the support of Villa Charities. The inaugural “Italy: A Place To Go” event is created to spread knowledge that goes beyond the typical Italian charms and attractions. This initiative will show us all how Italy is both a place of beauty and sustainable opportunity for the future. The broad perspective from this event will highlight the Economy, Design & Architecture, Innovation & Technology, Fashion, and Tourism & Culture. Several brilliant Italian speakers with diverse cultural and economic backgrounds will deliver lectures in these fields beginning on July 5th and ending on July 15th. These lectures will provide useful knowledge and insights via Zoom.

Mississauga Italfest Returns as a Virtual Celebration
Villa Charities is pleased to support Mississauga Italfest as an Amici Sponsor. On June 26, 2021, the Mississauga Italfest celebration will showcase "A Virtual Taste of Italfest" featuring emerging artists and headline performers, dancers, comedians and authentic recipes prepared by popular chefs. Highlights of the past eight years will spotlight everything Italfest, a community rich in heritage and time-honoured traditions.
 
Book Your Virtual One-on-One Meeting for Friday Chats with the CEO
You can have a virtual meeting with Marco DeVuono, Acting 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 will be 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, July 9. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 ext. 240 or email csimpson@villacharities.com.
Celebrate the 10th Edition of ICFF!
Villa Charities is a Film Sponsor of the 2021 Italian Contemporary Film Festival. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the ICFF, organized with the support of Italian Embassy, the Consulates General of Italy, and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura. The ICFF 2021 will take place from June 27th to July 17th at Ontario Place, Vaughan, and Montreal through drive-in screening and brand new open-air theatres, and online across Canada on the ICFF official digital platform from July 5th to July 13th. For this exciting new edition of the festival, ICFF is proud to present the Premieres of “The Best Years,” Gabriele Muccino’s latest masterpiece; the award-wining film, “Out of My League” by Alice Filippi, and amongst many other amazing pictures. In celebration of its 10th anniversary of successes and exceptional screenings, the Festival will also bring back past editions’ People’s Choice Award winners. For more info, please visit icff.ca.
 
Villa Charities and Columbus Centre COVID-19 Update – Step 2 Reopening
As per the direction from the Ontario government and local public health authorities, as of June 30th at 12:01am, Villa Charities and the Columbus Centre will operate following the Step 2 Reopening plan guidelines.
We look forward to welcoming more patrons and members back to the campus! Check the COVID-19 Updates page for full details.
 
Villa Charities Celebrates 50 Years with Special Playlists
In celebration of our 50th anniversary this year, we’re sharing lots of fun and interactive social media content for the Villa Charities community. Check out our latest Spotify playlist - Top 50 Songs: Italian Celebration Music to honour and celebrate #VCI50. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
Register Now for the
Ital-Canadian Golf Open at Eagles Nest Golf Club
Join us for the inaugural Ital-Canadian Golf Open on Monday, August 30, 2021. The CIBPA Toronto, ICCO Canada and Villa Charities Foundation are coming together to celebrate our community and give back in a meaningful way. Proceeds from the Golf Open will support programs provided by CIBPA Toronto, ICCO Canada and Villa Charities, as well as scholarships and bursaries for students across the country.
 
Register for an Outdoor Fitness Class Today
Have you signed up for our outdoor group fitness classes? Columbus Centre Athletic Club is hosting outdoor group fitness classes as well as personal training sessions on the Columbus Centre grounds. Indoor classes and operations continue to be suspended. There’s a variety of classes to choose from, so contact fitness@villacharities.com or visit our website for more information.

Book A Tennis Court at the Columbus Centre
Our outdoor tennis facilities are open for member use following strict guidelines and booking schedule, and we have also introduced tennis lessons. Games can be played in doubles. Book the court now and get your body moving! Contactfitness@villacharities.com to learn more.
 
Virtual Group Fitness Classes Continue at the Columbus Centre
The Columbus Centre Athletic Club continues to offer Live Virtual Group Fitness classes. Our certified instructors are offering courses six days a week! Check out Thursday's class – High-Intensity Interval Training. HIIT is a training technique in which you give all-out 100% effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise followed by short, sometimes active recovery periods. HIIT gets and keeps your heart rate up and burns more fat in less time. Monthly membership fees are only $24.99 + HST and include access to our full fitness class video library. For more information, visit our website and register today.
 
Casa Abruzzo Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Residents and staff celebrated Casa Abruzzo’s 25th official anniversary on June 12, 2021, with a number of activities that week. Italian-Canadian musician Claudio Santaluce performed popular Italian folk music for our residents as they enjoyed the outdoor concert from their balconies, and a commemorative tote bag and sports bottle were also delivered as a surprise gift. Congratulatory certificates from Hon. Ahmed Hussen, MP, York South-Weston; Faisal Hassan, MPP, York South-Weston; and City Councillor Frances Nunziata were awarded in recognition of Casa Abruzzo’s milestone anniversary. In partnership with Humber River Hospital, the apartment residents also received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.