Our Italian wine tasting event is just around the corner! If you haven’t had a chance to secure your tickets yet, there are still a few remaining. Get yours today and join us next Wednesday, March 22 to expand your knowledge of wine with a guided wine tasting and discussion in collaboration with WineHouse Imports Inc. Featuring four Italian wines from Calabria and Sicily, this informative and entertaining session will help you refine your taste and learn how to discern among the multitude of fragrant notes! Light snacks will accompany the tasting and wines will be available for purchase. 

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Join us for a conversation and reception on March 23 at St. Michael’s College with the Italian trans activist and author Porpora Marcasciano, and the Canadian premiere screening of the documentary “Porpora” (2020), based on her life events. Following the film there will be a Q&A with Porpora Marcasciano and producer Vittorio Martone.

Presented by Italian Studies – UofT, Language Studies, UofT Mississauga / Emilio Goggio Chair in Italian Studies, Istituto Italiano di Cultura and Villa Charities.

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Spend an enchanting musical evening with us on Friday, March 24 at 7:30pm. Beatrice & Adolfo return to the Columbus Centre with a new concert, “Italian Favourites”. This concert features classically trained duo Beatrice Carpino (singer) and Adolfo De Santis (pianist) as they perform a selection of Italian favourites. Join us and let their songs take you on a musical journey to Italy.

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Don’t miss Italian author Cristina Scarano on Tuesday, March 28 for her book reading and presentation of “Life and Death an Eclipse of Being”, a collection of poems, moments of emotion, elaborated with the heart and mind and a pinch of transcendental madness. Scarano has a passion for writing poetry and defines her way of composing as “abstract”. 

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As part of our “Learn Italian by Doing” classes, our online book club is an opportunity to explore and discuss contemporary Italian literature while learning Italian. Don’t miss our next session on Wednesday, March 29 at 7:00pm where we will be discussing “I leoni di Sicilia”/”The Florios of Sicily” by Stefania Auci. Practice and perfect your Italian through intellectual and educational book club-style discussions.

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Take your tastebuds on a culinary journey to Naples as you experience a four-course set menu of authentic Neapolitan dishes prepared by Slow Food Toronto President and Chef, Luciano Schipano. Discover the full menu online now and join us on Friday, March 31 at 7:00pm.

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Do you ever hear your Nonno and Zio yelling “Scopa!” while slapping down funny-looking cards at a family party? You will be able to join them when you learn how to play Scopa, Briscola and Tressette at our three-part Italian Card Games series, beginning on April 5 at Caffe Cinquecento Italian Bar & Eatery.

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Due to popular demand, our “Art & Aperitivo” series with Daniela Sanzone returns for a spring term. Starting on Monday, April 10, join us Monday nights at the Columbus Centre for socializing, snacks, and sips. We will have sessions for English-speakers who want to practice their Italian in an immersive way, and Italian-speakers who want a place to socialize, meet new people and make new friends. Enjoy a drink and bite to eat – the perfect way to start your week! Tickets are available for individual sessions or can be purchased as a full 8-week package.

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Villa Charities is a proud Community Supporter of ‘Singing Together 2023’, an event celebrating cultural diversity. Head down to Toronto Korean Presbyterian Church on April 22 to enjoy the soulful voices of local ethnic choirs as they perform a repertoire from their own cultures and unite to perform pieces by Canadian musicians.

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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 Virtual Friday Chat is scheduled for Friday, April 14. Contact us today to schedule your virtual meeting – call 416-789-7011 or email iusic@villacharities.com.

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Ride with your community at the 16^th Annual Villa Charities Giro Cycling Fundraiser on May 28, 2023! Register today and receive 50% off your registration fee. Join as an individual or grab your friends and ride as a team as you challenge yourself with our 25km, 60km or 100km cycling routes. Giro puts the ‘fun’ in ‘fun-draising’ by providing our community with a day of celebration and comradery in an atmosphere of fun and friendship!

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Register your child before midnight tomorrow (Friday, March 17) and save 10% on each camper registration when you enter promo code CAMPS2023 at checkout! Summer Camp at the Columbus Centre will run from July 4 - August 25 for kids ages 4 to 13! With a wide selection of general camps and specialty camps in sports, dance, music, art and more – there’s something to suit every child’s interests and needs. Plus, with full-day, half-day, and extended care options, we’ve got something to suit your scheduling needs too!

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Register for one of our spring squash programs before it’s too late! Whether you’re interested in learning how to play squash, or want to advance the skills you already have – we’ve got a selection of programs to suit different levels. Explore all programs online now.

To learn more or register, contact naron@villacharities.com or 416-789-7011 Ext. 229.

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Make a splash this spring with the Columbus Centre Athletic Club’s swimming lessons! The Columbus Centre Athletic Club offers swimming lessons for all ages with The Lifesaving Society Program. Registration for swimming lessons opens on Saturday, April 1 for Members and Non-Members.

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Online registration continues for our Tennis Court Memberships. Our outdoor tennis courts are in high demand, so don’t miss out on your chance to secure a membership today so you’re ready when our tennis season opens on April 1, 2023. Tennis Court Memberships are available for Columbus Centre Athletic Club Members and Non-Members. 

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Registration is now open for the spring term at Columbus Centre School of Music, beginning Monday, April 3 for 12 weeks. We offer a wide variety of music lessons that are open to anyone of any skill level. Our seasonal one-on-one private lessons in vocals, guitar, piano, violin, flute, clarinet, drums and more are taught by our highly skilled professional instructors. Full details on our website.

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Get ready to sign up for the Columbus Centre Athletic Club's spring programs! Registration begins on Tuesday, April 4 for our Premium Group Fitness Programs, for Members and Non-Members. We offer a wide array of classes for a range of ages, abilities and interests including yoga, kickboxing, karate and more!

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Toronto's multi-award-winning artist and instructor, Sam Paonessa will be delivering two oil and acrylic painting workshops. An 11-week Artista workshop for students who have a passion for painting and wish to further develop their painting skills and an 11-week Less Defined Landscapes workshop for students who are interested in learning how to paint breathtaking landscapes. 

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Learn fabric and textile hand-painting techniques, how to choose appropriate natural fiber textiles (like silk, cotton, and linen), and how to work with high-quality permanent fabric paint in our 8-week “Textile and Decoration Painting” workshop beginning April 6. By the end of this workshop, you’ll have the skills needed to create original and beautiful works of art such as pillows, scarves, drapery and more!

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