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New Cultural Events

NEW CULTURAL EVENTS

Ballo Liscio

  • Wednesdays, January 18 – April 5, 6:30pm*

Villa Charities, with funding by the Government of Canada’s New Horizon’s for Seniors Program, continues our popular Ballo Liscio social dancing nights.

 

Join us Wednesday nights as we dance the night away. These weekly events are open to everyone and feature live musical performances.

A ‘PAY WHAT YOU CAN’ EVENT
(Donations welcome at the door)

balllo

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Taste of Italy

 

A Gastronomic Journey Through the Peninsula

 
Villa Charities’ popular Taste of Italy series continues as we take a gastronomic journey through the Italian peninsula. Indulge in delicious authentic Italian dishes prepared by Executive Chef Luciano Schipano. Savour new flavours each month as we journey through the regions of Italy.

Upcoming Dinners

Taste of Naples

  • Friday, March 31, 7:00pm

 

Antipasto – Starter

Parmigiana di Melanzane

Eggplant Parmigiana

 

 

Primo – First Course

Scialatielli ai Frutti di Mare

Basil and Pecorino cheese-flavoured fresh pasta tossed in a mix of seafood and tomato sauce

 

 

Secondo – Entrée

Salsiccia e Friarelli

Roasted pork sausage sautéed with steamed rapini

Insalata Mista

Mixed green salad (family style)

 

 

Dolce – Dessert

Babà al Rum

A delicious sponge cake soaked
in a sticky citrus-scented syrup mixed with Rhum

Taste of Rome

  • Friday, April 21, 7:00pm

 

Antipasto – Starter

Porchetta su Crostone di pane e Pecorino, carciofi saltati e Ricottina su lesso di cicoria

Toasted bread topped with porchetta and pecorino, sautéed artichoke, mini ricotta on steamed dandelion

 

 

Primo – First Course

Tortiglioni al sugo con coda alla vaccinara

Tortiglioni pasta tossed in a slow cooked tomato sauce and oxtail

 

 

Secondo – Entrée

Saltimbocca di vitello con prosciutto e salvia, patate e asparagi

Traditional Prosciutto and Sage Veal Saltimbocca with a side of potato and asparagus

 

 

Dolce – Dessert

Crostata Ricotta e visciole

Roman ricotta tart with cherries

Price:

$100.00 (Per dinner)

(Inclusive of tax and booking fees)

Price includes complimentary wine during dinner service. Additional wine, beer, mixed and soft drinks will be available for an additional cost.

Taste-of-Italy

Location:

Ristorante Boccaccio, Columbus Centre

 

Unassigned tables of 10 guests on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Photos shown are for illustration purposes only. Dishes and/or ingredients may vary due to availability and are subject to change without notice. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Italian Card Games

  • Wednesdays, April 5, 12 & 19, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
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, hosted at Caffe Cinquecento Italian Bar & Eatery.

 

Maurizio Gioffrè from Heritage Calabria has been teaching people of all ages Italy’s national card games for over 25 years. He will show you how fun and easy it is to master these beloved Italian pastimes so you can play with your friends and family.

 

All levels welcome!

Scopa

  • Wednesday, April 5, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Learn how to play one of Italy’s national card games, Scopa. A centuries-old card game that is fun for the whole family. Test your memory, strategic skills, and luck as you learn to play.

Briscola

  • Wednesday, April 12, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Learn how to play Briscola, a popular card game played across Italy and loved all over the world. An easy but challenging game where players must collect the most valuable cards and use their trumps wisely!

Tressette

  • Wednesday, April 12, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Learn how to play Tressette, a trick-taking card game. Become a ‘Tressette Master’ as you spend a fun evening learning the rules and practicing your skills with our expert card master, Maurizio Gioffrè.

Price:

$10.00 (Per class)
$25.00 (For a 3-class bundle)

Italian Card Games

Location:

Caffe Cinquecento Italian Bar & Eatery, Columbus Centre

 

With the support of Caffe Cinquecento Italian Bar & Eatery.

Columbus Concert Band ‘Welcome Spring!’ Concert

  • Tuesday, April 11, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Welcome the 2023 spring season with a live performance by the Columbus Concert Band! Under the direction of Annamaria Mazzaferro, the award-winning Columbus Concert Band will perform a selection of popular concert band standards, guaranteed to inspire a love of live music in everyone.

Price:

$15.00

$10.00 (Seniors & Students)

(Payments welcome at the door. Cash only.)

Welcome Spring! Concert

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

 

Co-presented by Villa Charities and the Columbus Concert Band.

Pasta Making Classes

 

Learn how to make fresh pasta and taste it with delicious sauces at the end of each session!

Caffe Cinquecento will be open to purchase wine

and other beverages. If you choose to bring your own bottle of wine, a $5 corkage fee will apply

Cannelloni Class

  • Tuesday, April 11, 6:30pm

Learn about making fresh cannelloni pasta including the process beginning from the “well” method, the importance of resting and choosing the right flours.  A demonstration of different fillings and their variations for large, filled pastas.

 

Final dish: Spinach & Ricotta cannelloni with pomodoro sauce (tomato).

 

SOLD OUT

Semolina Trofie Class

  • Tuesday, May 16, 6:30pm

Learn about making fresh eggless dough including the process beginning from the “well” method, the importance of resting and choosing the right flours. An in depth demonstration of the techniques of making trofie as well as some other dough variations.

Final dish: Semolina trofie with pesto sauce.

Price:
$50.00 per class

Drinks not included.

Pasta making

Location:

Ristorante Boccaccio, Columbus Centre

 

In collaboration with Pastaio.

Canada – Stories, Visions, and Challenges of a Laboratory of the Future

  • Thursday, April 13, 7:00 – 8:00pm

Join Villa Charities and CIBPA Toronto along with Italian author Paolo Quattrocchi for this special book launch and presentation.

 

Incorporating historical, geopolitical, literary, social and cultural elements with an autobiographical approach, “Canada – Stories, Visions and Challenges of a Laboratory of the Future passionately relates the history, politics, and notable and ordinary people of a nation whose citizens “in just 150 years (…) have created a society based on trust and mutual respect for all. They have served as a model for many European countries and a source of hope for the world.” Particular attention is also given to the ties between Canada and Italy.

 

Participants will be given the opportunity to purchase a copy of the book followed by a Q & A.

Price:

FREE

Canada - Stories, Visions, and Challenges of a Laboratory of the Future Book Cover

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

 

Presented in partnership with CIBPA Toronto.

Ballo Liscio

  • Wednesdays, April 19, May 3 & 17, 6:30pm

Villa Charities continues our popular Ballo Liscio social dancing nights on Wednesday nights at the Columbus Centre.


Bring friends, partners, or come on your own and join us as we dance the night away with live musical performances!

A ‘PAY WHAT YOU CAN’ EVENT
(Donations welcome at the door)

Ballo Liscio

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

Jazz Series at the Columbus Centre

  • Wednesdays, April 26, May 31

Looking for an unforgettable musical experience?  Join us for our new jazz concert series featuring some of the industry’s most talented and award-winning jazz musicians. We’ve curated a lineup of incredible artists who will transport you to a world of smooth melodies and soulful rhythms.

Fabrizio Mocata Trio in Concert

  • Wednesday, April 26, 7:30pm*

The audience will be taken on an amazing musical experience through the musicians’ original compositions, including special versions of G. Puccini’s and G. Verdi’s famous arias.

 

Musicians:

Fabrizio Mocata – Piano
Gianmarco Scaglia – Bass
Paul Wertico – Drums

Francesco Cafiso with Roberto Occhipinti Trio

  • Wednesday, May 31, 7:30pm*

Musicians:

Francesco Cafiso – Saxophone
Roberto Occhipinti – Bass
Ewen Farncombe – Piano
Ethan Ardelli – Drums

Price:
$20.00 per concert

Fabrizio-Mocatta

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

 

Co-presented by Villa Charities and Istituto Italiano di Cultura, with the support of Davies Spina Falquez LLP.

La Befana Comes to Toronto

  • Friday, January 6

The Befana, in traditional Italian folklore, is an old witch who surprises children with sweets and gifts on the eve of the Epiphany. This new interactive show, co-created by Daniele Bartolini and Danya Buonastella of DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT), continues this fun Italian Epiphany tradition with entertaining performances and special treats for children and families.

bafana_web

Location:

Columbus Centre

The Christmas Chair/ La Sedia di Natale

  • December 15 – 18

Villa Charities proudly presents The Christmas Chair / La Sedia di Natale, the new original immersive holiday experience created by internationally acclaimed theatre company DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT) and director Daniele Bartolini, with music by the Vesuvius Ensemble.

 

This unforgettable show invites the audience to delve into their fondest memories, to be weaved together into an interactive collective experience by a line-up of extraordinary Italian-Canadian performers, including some ‘surprise’ special guests!

 

Join us and explore the origins “della festa più bella” (of the most beautiful holiday) through ancient musical instruments from Neapolitan tradition, folk songs and storytelling.

 

Holiday treats and refreshments will be served at the end of the show.

 

Preview: Thursday, December 15, 8:00pm

Performances: Friday, December 16, 8:00pm & Saturday, December 17, 8:00pm

Sunday, December 18, 2:00pm

Price:

 Preview: Pay What You Can (Suggested donation $20.00)

 Performances: $40.00 (Adults), $25.00 (Seniors (65+), Students (13 – 25) & Artists

$20.00 (Children (6 – 12)

(Registration is required for all performances)

Website-Christmas-Chair (1)

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre

DopoLavoro Teatrale (DLT): Daniele Bartolini and Danya Buonastella

Vesuvius Ensemble: Romina Di Gasbarro, Francesco Pellegrino, Tommaso Sollazzo.

A Holiday Concert 

  • Tuesday, December 13, 7:30 – 9:00pm

Celebrate the holiday season with a live performance of popular Christmas music! Under the direction of Annamaria Mazzaferro, the award-winning Columbus Concert Band will perform a selection of popular concert band standards and traditional Italian band music, guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit.

Price:

A ‘PAY WHAT YOU CAN’ EVENT

Donations welcome at the door.

Christmas-Concert

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Gallery, Columbus Centre

Expat Parties

  • Friday, December 9, 7:00pm

Did you move from Italy in the last 20 years? Want to reunite with colleagues and celebrate new friendships? Join Villa Charities and fellow Italian expatriates to share some food, a glass of wine, entertainment, and a few laughs.


In collaboration with Comites, AIRIcerca Toronto Chapter, Chef Luciano Schipano, and Italiani a Toronto Facebook Group.

expat

Location:

Ristorante Boccaccio, Columbus Centre

A Star Has Shone 

  • Monday, December 12, 7:00pm

Join us as we celebrate the holiday season with a concert by Coro San Marco.

Price:
$15.00
StarShone

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Gallery, Columbus Centre

For more information, please contact:

Edris Osman
Arts & Culture Coordinator
Phone: 416-789-7011 ext. 299
Email[email protected]