NEW CULTURAL EVENTS
- Sounds of Spring
- “Neapolitan Ice Cream”
- Cantastorie: A Storytelling Workshop
- “Soggetti e Sceneggiature"
- "Transformations” Book Launch
- Jazz at the Columbus Centre
- “Cartapesta: Carnevale di Fano"
- Democracy Series
- The Afterlives of Fascist Monuments
- Pasta-Making Classes
- Festa della Repubblica
- Arrosticini Summer Festa
- Ferragosto
- Tomato Sauce-Making Festival
- Festa della Ciambella
- Grape Pressing Festival
- Chestnut Festival
- Ongoing Cultural Series
Sounds of Spring
- Tuesday, April 14, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Welcome spring with a live concert featuring the Columbus Concert Band, the Columbus Jazz Band and special guest soprano Taylor Frisina. Under the direction of Annamaria Mazzaferro, this special performance will feature an ensemble of musicians presenting a lively program of popular band classics including selections from “West Side Story,” music by The Beatles, and works by Giuseppe Verdi.
Experience a delightful and uplifting musical evening perfect for all ages, sure to brighten your spring!
Price:
$15.00 (Adults) / $10.00 (Seniors/Students)
Tickets also available at the door.
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
Presented in partnership with Columbus Concert Band.
“Neapolitan Ice Cream”
The Musical
- Friday, April 17, 7:30 – 8:45pm
“Neapolitan Ice Cream: The Musical” is an unforgettable blend of soaring soprano, intimate guitar, and a powerful immigrant story inspired by true events. Audiences journey from the sun‑washed streets of Naples to the storm‑tossed Atlantic through the voice of Caterina—a young woman whose courage, longing, and heartbreak resonate across generations.
Each classic Italian song opens a new emotional chapter, creating a performance that feels part concert, part confession, and part cinematic narrative.
This two-person jukebox musical is told entirely through Caterina’s perspective, weaving iconic Neapolitan and operatic selections into live narration performed by soprano and guitar. Themes of immigration, love, resilience, and reinvention shape a story that is both deeply personal and universally familiar.
A printed program will be provided to all audience members—and to celebrate the shared experience, everyone leaves with a scoop of ice cream.
At the turn of the 20th century, a young Italian woman sets out from the port of Naples to join her fiancé in Canada, but a betrayal at sea leaves her stranded on the rugged shores of Scotland. Armed with little more than a few belongings and a pouch of her Nonna’s precious cocoa, she begins making ice cream, transforming her struggles into sweetness. Embracing the rich cream of her new home and a humble offering of strawberries from a kind-hearted young fisherman, Caterina must decide: can she churn heartbreak into hope?
Inspired by true events of immigrants diverted in deceit and woven with world-famous Italian melodies, “Neapolitan Ice Cream” is a cheeky, uplifting tribute to resilience, cultural fusion, and the joy found in unexpected places, through music, memory, and even a simple scoop of ice cream.
Price:
$40.00 (Adults) / $35.00 (Seniors/Students)
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
Presented in partnership with Loreworks Ltd.
Cantastorie
A Storytelling Workshop
- Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 – 9:00pm
Discover the richness of stories—both the ones we’ve lived and the ones we’ve heard—in this introductory, hands‑on storytelling workshop. Guided by Toronto-based storyteller Mariella Bertelli, participants will explore the narratives that shape who we are.
Together, we’ll practice sharing anecdotes, ditties, proverbs, memories, poems, and more. Along the way, we’ll delve into the power of narrative, the role of language, and the ways memory informs the stories we choose to tell. We’ll also discuss where to find stories—in our families, our communities, and our everyday lives—and how to carry forward the ancient art of storytelling in meaningful, accessible ways.
This intimate workshop is interactive and participatory, welcoming anyone curious about discovering or deepening their voice as a storyteller.
Price:
$35.00 (Adults) / $30.00 (Seniors/Students)
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
“Francesco Pasinetti: Soggetti e Sceneggiature”
Book Launch with Alberto Zambenedetti
- Thursday, April 23, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Italian filmmaker Francesco Pasinetti (1911-1949) was one of the country’s first film scholars and an accomplished teacher, best known for his work as a film critic and documentary filmmaker. This presentation by Prof. Alberto Zambenedetti brings to light many of his unpublished and unrealized projects.
“Francesco Pasinetti: Soggetti e Sceneggiature” (Scenarios and Screenplays), the new critical edition edited by Zambenedetti is a collection of previously unpublished scenarios, screenplays writings and film projects preserved at the Archivio Carlo Montanaro in Venice, offering fresh insights into Pasinetti’s extraordinary creative vision.
The evening will include a 16-minute screening of Pasinetti’s short documentary “Venezia Minore” (1942), followed by a Q&A and light refreshments. Copies of the book will be available for purchase while supplies last.
Price:
$5.00
Location:
Columbus Room, Columbus Centre
Presented in partnership with the University of Toronto Department of Italian, Spanish, Portuguese & Latin American Studies.
Sponsored by Cinema Studies Institute & Emilio Goggio Chair in Italian Studies.
“Transformations: The Italian Canadian Experience”
Book Launch
- Monday, April 27, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Join us to celebrate the publication of “Transformations: The Italian Canadian Experience”, two commemorative anthologies outlining the experiences, challenges and accomplishments of Italian immigrants across Canada.
Angelo Bolotta, project leader and editor, outlines how these powerful personal, family and community-based stories now serve as a lasting historical record of the resilience and resourcefulness of the Italian immigrant spirit. Also captured—through their own words—are the values that first-generation Canadians iternalized and carried forward from their immigrant parents and grandparents. Associate editor, Dr. Gina Valle, will share extracts from this national collection, along with other guest readers.
Copies of both volumes will be available for purchase at the event, while supplies last.
Price:
$5.00
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
Event sponsored by the National Congress of Italian Canadians – Toronto District.
Jazz at the Columbus Centre
- April 30, May 28, September 11, October 29, December 3
Back by popular demand, Jazz at the Columbus Centre returns with five unforgettable concerts celebrating the richness, diversity and enduring appeal of jazz. This curated series brings together outstanding Canadian musicians and vocalists to explore iconic recordings, global jazz influences, beloved composers, and seasonal favourites—all presented in an intimate and elegant concert setting.
From jazz’s greatest hits and Brazilian bossa nova to the timeless music of George Gershwin, festive holiday swing, and Italian classics reimagined, this series invites audiences to discover the music they love—performed with artistry, imagination, and style.
Whether you’re a devoted jazz fan or a curious first‑time listener, this series offers a welcoming and richly rewarding journey through the sound, history, and spirit of jazz.
Bundle all 5 concerts with our Jazz Series Package and save up to $50.00!
- Thursday, April 30, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Celebrate International Jazz Day with an exceptional evening of music as drummer and arranger Daniel Barnes leads an all‑star ensemble of JUNO Award–winning musicians—saxophonist Richard Underhill and bassist Paul Novotny—alongside rising star pianist Evan Miles. Together, they pay tribute to some of the most popular and influential recordings in jazz history.
Featuring music made famous by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, and more, this concert honours the jazz tradition of re‑imagining beloved works. Expect familiar melodies, bold improvisation, and fresh perspectives from some of Canada’s finest jazz artists as they join the global celebration of jazz’s enduring legacy.
Daniel Barnes – Drums
Richard Underhill – Saxophone
Evan Miles – Piano
Paul Novotny – Bass
- Thursday, May 28, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Vocalist Alyssa Giammaria lends her rich, expressive voice to nostalgic Neapolitan favourites such as “Volare,” “O Sole Mio,” and music from “The Godfather” — all reimagined in stylish jazz arrangements.
With arrangements by acclaimed pianist Anthony D’Alessandro and the distinguished bass work of Paul Novotny, this concert offers a fresh and elegant take on familiar melodies, blending Neapolitan song tradition with the improvisational spirit of jazz.
Alyssa Giammaria – Vocals
Anthony D’Alessandro – Piano
Paul Novotny – Bass
Daniel Barnes – Drums
- Friday, September 11, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Acclaimed Brazilian vocalist Fernanda Cunha brings her warmth, elegance, and authenticity to an intimate evening of classic bossa nova. Known for its intimacy, sophistication and gently hypnotic rhythms, this beloved genre comes alive through timeless works by Antonio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto, Luiz Bonfá, and others.
Backed by a stellar ensemble, Cunha’s expressive voice transports audiences to sun‑soaked evenings and the romantic heart of Brazil. A lush, elegant concert that is both relaxing and deeply expressive.
Fernanda Cunha – Vocals
Reg Schwager – Guitar
Tom Szczesniak – Piano
Paul Novotny – Bass
Daniel Barnes – Drums
- Thursday, October 29, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Pianist and composer Anthony D’Alessandro brings his signature swing, scintillating technique, and irresistible showmanship to a celebration of one of the most influential composers in jazz and American popular music: George Gershwin.
Featuring beloved selections from Gershwin’s vast catalogue — spanning jazz standards, musicals, and concert works — this performance honours a monumental figure whose music continues to define the Great American Songbook. Joining D’Alessandro are trumpet virtuoso Kevin Turcotte, bassist Paul Novotny, and drummer Daniel Barnes in a truly star‑studded ensemble.
Anthony D’Alessandro – Piano
Kevin Turcotte – Trumpet
Paul Novotny – Bass
Daniel Barnes – Drums
- Thursday, December 3, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Beloved vocalist John Alcorn, joined by the ever‑elegant Daniel Barnes Trio, brings swing, warmth and swagger to musical favourites of the holiday season.
The weather outside may be frightful, but inside it’s beginning to look — and sound — a lot like a holly jolly Christmas. From festive classics to jazzy seasonal gems, this joyful concert ushers in the holidays with style, sophistication and plenty of cheer.
John Alcorn – Vocals
Daniel Barnes – Drums
Paul Novotny – Bass
Anthony D’Alessandro – Piano
Price:
$30.00 (Adults) / $25.00 (Seniors/Students) (per concert)
Series Package: (5 Concerts) $100.00
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
Series sponsored by Aion Law Partners.
“Cartapesta: Carnevale di Fano”
Documentary Film
- Tuesday, May 5, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Discover the artistic and cultural heart of Italy’s oldest carnival in “Cartapesta: Carnevale di Fano”.
Directed by acclaimed Fano-born Andrea Lodovichetti, this documentary explores the intricate, centuries-old tradition of creating massive, allegorical papier-mâché floats, highlighting the craftsmanship, engineering and creativity of Fano’s master builders. Generation after generation, these artists transform paper, glue and colour into monumental “traveling stages” that blend reality with imagination.
The film frames the carnival not just as a celebration, but as a living archive of community memory and identity. Seen through the eyes of the “Vulón”, the traditional mask of Fano, a child discovers the carnival for the first time, through the parades, costumes and sweets. It aims to capture the “state of mind” that warms the heart of the city, dissolving the boundaries between reality and fiction through the fragile beauty of the papier-mâché sculptures.
Screened in Italian with English subtitles.
Price:
FREE
(Donations welcome at the door.)
Location:
Columbus Room,
Columbus Centre
Democracy: Origins, Transformations and Global Legacies
- May 12 – November 3, 2026
A four‑part lecture series tracing democracy’s evolution from ancient Greece to today’s political world.
Democratic Violence Abroad: Democracy and Regime-Change in Classical Greece
- Tuesday, May 12, 6:00 – 7:15pm
The use of “democracy” as a justification for foreign intervention is not unique to the modern era. From Afghanistan to Venezuela, Western governments have invoked democratic ideals to support military actions abroad—often with contentious results. This practice has deep roots: in Classical antiquity, Athens established democracies across Greece to strengthen its empire, provoking widespread hostility and ultimately contributing to its downfall.
University of Toronto lecturer and researcher Giulio Leghissa will guide the audience through this striking historical parallel between ancient and modern political interventions.
Republican Experiences in Renaissance Italy: Florence between Machiavelli and Guicciardini
- Tuesday, September 22, 6:00 – 7:15pm
Violence, instability, and political upheaval have long shaped the histories of republics and democracies. In Renaissance Florence, these dynamics were central to the turbulent period between 1494 and 1512. During this time, influential thinkers Niccolò Machiavelli and Francesco Guicciardini developed their distinctive views on republicanism and democratic governance.
In his lecture presentation, University of Toronto lecturer and researcher Giulio Leghissa will illuminate Renaissance approaches to republican and democratic ideas through the political experiences and writings of Machiavelli and Guicciardini.
Between Democracy and Republic: The American and French Revolutions
- Tuesday, November 3, 6:00 – 7:15pm
The American and French Revolutions mark watershed moments in the development of modern Western democracy and republican government. In both contexts, the rejection of monarchical rule sparked intense debates about the appropriate form of government for the newly liberated states—democracy or republic? These discussions drew heavily on ancient Greek and Roman political models and intellectual traditions.
University of Toronto lecturer and researcher Giulio Leghissa will lead the audience through a comparative journey across America and Europe to reveal the ancient foundations of modern democratic and republican thought.
Democracy: The Ancient Origin of a Modern Concept
- Tuesday, March 17, 6:00 – 7:15pm
When and where was democracy born, and how did it become the defining political model of the Western world? University of Toronto lecturer and researcher Giulio Leghissa will guide the audience through a journey beginning in Classical Greece, moving through the Renaissance, and concluding in the contemporary United States to uncover the origins and evolution of this influential concept.
Price:
FREE
Location:
Columbus Room,
Columbus Centre
The Afterlives of Fascist Monuments in Contemporary Italy
Lecture by Prof. Joshua Arthurs
- Thursday, May 14, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Professor and historian Joshua Arthurs traces the afterlife of Fascist monuments, architecture and iconography, from the fall of Benito Mussolini’s regime to the present day. In this lecture, Arthurs explores how these sites have been interpreted—as infrastructure to be adapted, heritage to be conserved, and problematic symbols to be erased—and considers the implications of these debates for contemporary Italian society and culture.
Price:
$5.00
Location:
Columbus Room,
Columbus Centre
Pasta-Making Classes: Classics of Nonna’s Table
with Chef Luciano
- Tuesdays, May 19, 26, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
The wait is over – our popular pasta-making classes are back!
This new eight-session culinary program immerses participants in the heart and soul of the Italian home. Guided by Chef Luciano Schipano and his expert team, you’ll master the art of pasta making while discovering timeless pasta dishes. Each class features an easy‑to‑replicate recipe, offering an authentic taste of regional flavours, traditional methods, and the culinary heritage lovingly passed down through generations of Nonnas.
Highlights include a tasting of a traditional dish featuring the handmade, take-home pasta you’ve made, and a printed sauce recipe.
Sessions will focus on traditional recipes and may not accommodate specific dietary restrictions (e.g., gluten-free or vegan options).
Plus – the more classes you buy, the more you save!
Bundle 4 sessions and save $20.00
Buy all 8 sessions and save $60.00
Tagliatelle al Ragù
- Tuesday, May 19, 6:30 pm
This session introduces participants to the famous pasta of Bologna. You’ll learn to make fresh tagliatelle by hand, using traditional techniques. Afterward, enjoy a tasting of Tagliatelle al Ragù, a classic ragù sauce known for its deep, slow-cooked flavours.
Participants will also take home fresh tagliatelle and a printed ragù recipe.
Gnocchi alla Roman
- Tuesday, May 26, 6:30 pm
Discover the art of making traditional Roman-style gnocchi, with semolina instead of potatoes. You’ll prepare the semolina base, learn the essential cook‑and‑set technique, then cut, sauce, and oven‑finish the gnocchi for a golden gratin. The class wraps up with a tasting of Semolino Gnocchi baked in the classic Roman style.
Participants will take home pre-cut semolina gnocchi portions and a printed recipe with bake-off instructions.
Gnocchi di Ricotta al Burro e Salvia
- Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm
Experience the delicate method of making ricotta gnocchi. In this hands-on session, you will shape and roll gnocchi by hand before tasting Gnocchi al Burro e Salvia, a dish featuring a simple butter and sage sauce that enhances its rich yet delicate flavour.
Participants will take home fresh gnocchi and a printed sauce recipe.
Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa
- Tuesday, June 9, 6:30 pm
Learn the art of shaping orecchiette by hand in this hands-on session. You’ll then enjoy a tasting of Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa, a classic Puglian dish featuring cime di rapa (rapini), garlic and EVOO (anchovy option).
Participants will take home fresh orecchiette and a printed sauce recipe.
Fileja con Sugo di ‘Nduja e Pomodori
- Tuesday, June 16, 6:30 pm
Celebrate the traditional pasta of Calabria by crafting fileja, a hand-rolled, spiral-shaped pasta. Participants will build a bold ‘nduja and tomato sugo with balanced heat and depth. The tasting will feature Fileja con Sugo di Nduja e Pomodori, a spicy ‘nduja and tomato sauce that highlights Calabria’s distinct flavours.
Participants will take home fresh fileja and a printed sauce recipe.
Cannelloni
- Tuesday, June 23, 6:30 pm
This session introduces participants to cannelloni, a classic baked pasta perfect for the family table. You’ll roll fresh pasta sheets and portion them for clean, consistent cannelloni, then learn the essential techniques for filling, rolling, and assembling a service‑ready bake. The Chef will cover two key sauces—traditional béchamel and simple tomato passata—for a balanced finish. The class concludes with a tasting of cannelloni baked and topped with a proper gratin.
Participants will take home assembled (ready to bake) cannelloni and printed recipes for fillings and sauces.
Cavatelli
- Tuesday, June 30, 6:30 pm
Discover Southern Italian cavatelli and the way its unique shape beautifully holds sauce. Participants will learn to hand‑roll and shape the pasta using the classic drag technique—no special tools required—before exploring sauce‑pairing fundamentals designed for optimal cling and consistency. The class concludes with a tasting of cavatelli served with a classic, seasonally appropriate sauce.
Participants will take home fresh cavatelli and a printed sauce recipe.
Ravioli Spinach & Ricotta in Marinara Sauce
- Tuesday, July 7, 6:30 pm
Learn the essentials of stuffed pasta—dough structure, moisture control, and proper sheet thickness. Participants will prepare a light, well‑bound spinach and ricotta filling, then learn to fill, seal, and cut ravioli to avoid blowouts. Thes session also includes a review of marinara basics, from clean tomato flavour to proper simmer and seasoning. The class ends with a tasting of Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli in Marinara Sauce.
Participants will take home fresh ravioli and printed recipes for filling and sauce.
- Duration: 2 hours per session
- Format:
- 15 minutes: Introduction to the region and its pasta traditions
- 60 minutes: Hands-on pasta making and shaping
- 30 minutes: Sauce preparation and tasting of the final dish
- 15 minutes: Wrap-up, Q&A and distribution of take-home pasta and printed recipe
- Requirements: Participants should wear comfortable clothing, and all pasta will be shaped by hand (no special tools needed; a pasta machine roller may be used).
- Aprons & Chef’s Knives: Participants should bring their own aprons and a preferred small kitchen knife if desired.
- Alcoholic Beverages: Wine and other alcoholic drinks are not included but can be purchased separately from Boccaccio Ristorante’s menu. Or, you can bring your own wine for a $20 corkage fee.
- Special Dietary Adjustments: Classes will focus on traditional recipes and may not accommodate specific dietary restrictions (e.g., gluten-free or vegan options).
Price:
$60.00 (per session)
4-Session Bundle: $220.00 (Save $20.00)
8-Session Full Program Bundle: $420.00 (Save $60.00)
Location:
Columbus Room,
Columbus Centre
Presented in partnership with Chef Luciano Schipano.
Festa della Repubblica
Coro San Marco
- Tuesday, June 2, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Celebrate Italy’s national holiday, Festa della Repubblica, with a special evening performance by Coro San Marco. Daniele Colla leads the acclaimed choir in an inspiring program of Italian opera classics by Puccini, Vivaldi, and Verdi, honouring the passion and beauty of Italy’s rich musical tradition.
Light refreshments will be served.
Price:
$20.00 (Adults) / $15.00 (Seniors/Students)
Tickets also available at the door.
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Gallery,
Columbus Centre
Arrosticini Summer Festa
- Sunday, July 26, 11:30am – 1:30pm
Join us for our summer community event to enjoy some delicious arrosticini, pasta, dancing and live musical entertainment. Plus, shop our new Market Square featuring a variety of local vendors.
In the event of rain, the event will be moved indoors.
Price:
$10.00
Location:
Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard,
Columbus Centre
Ferragosto
- Sunday, August 16, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Celebrate the height of summer and commemorate Ferragosto, the annual Italian summer holiday! Enjoy an afternoon filled with family-friendly fun featuring live musical entertainment, children’s activities, raffle prizes, authentic Italian foods including traditional porchetta, pasta and fresh pizza, and a licensed patio at Caffe Cinquecento.
Plus, shop our new Market Square featuring a variety of local vendors.
Price:
$10.00
This is an outdoor event. We encourage you to bring your own chair.
Location:
Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard,
Columbus Centre
Presented in partnership with CIBPA Toronto.
Tomato Sauce-Making Festival
Festa del Pomodoro
- Sunday, September 13, 11:00am – 1:30pm
Celebrate this annual Italian tradition with us and enjoy a plate of pasta, live musical entertainment and a complimentary jar of fresh tomato sauce to take home! Plus, shop our new Market Square featuring a variety of local vendors.
In the event of rain, the event will be postponed until further notice.
Price:
$10.00
Maximum 1 jar per person.
Location:
Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard,
Columbus Centre
Festa della Ciambella Verolana
- Sunday, September 20, 11:00am – 1:30pm
Join us for a live demonstration by the Veroli Cultural Society as they showcase the art of making ciambelle, the traditional anise-flavoured bread from the City of Veroli, located in the province of Frosinone in Italy’s Lazio region. The event will also feature musical entertainment by Gianni Mignardi. Wine, biscotti, and light refreshments will be served.
Price:
$10.00
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
Presented in partnership with Veroli Cultural Society.
Grape Pressing Festival
- Sunday, October 4, 11:00am – 1:30pm
Join us for this outdoor community event and experience the Italian tradition of grape pressing with a live demonstration. Learn how fresh grapes are pressed into barrels to begin the winemaking process. Plus, enjoy light refreshments, musical entertainment and raffle prizes.
In the event of rain, the event will be moved indoors.
Price:
$10.00
Location:
Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard,
Columbus Centre
Chestnut Festival
Festa della Castagna
- Wednesday, November 11, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Join us for our annual community festa to enjoy complimentary roasted chestnuts* in celebration of San Martino. This FREE event coincides with our Ballo Liscio night, with social dancing and music.
Price:
FREE
*First-come, first served, while supplies last.
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
Ballo Liscio
Social Dancing Nights
- Wednesdays, January 14 – May 27,
6:30 – 8:30pm
The Italian tradition of Ballo Liscio continues every Wednesday at Villa Charities. Join us for these popular social dancing nights featuring music by popular Italian DJs and musicians.
Price:
A ‘PAY WHAT YOU CAN’ EVENT
(Donations welcome at the door.)
Limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
For more information, please contact:
Mirella Tersigni
Cultural Manager, Cultural Programming
Email: mtersigni@villacharities.com