Our popular music and dancing nights return! Join us every Wednesday at 7:00pm for our free social dancing nights with live musical performances!
Wednesday, October 27 –
Bruno Nesci
Wednesday, November 3 –
Claudio Santaluce
Wednesday, November 10 –
Bruno Nesci
Wednesday, November 17 –
Claudio Santaluce
Wednesday, November 24 –
Sam Saverino
Wednesday, December 1 –
Bruno Nesci
Wednesday, December 8 –
Sam Saverino
Wednesday, December 15 –
Claudio Santaluce
Sunday, December 12 –
Coro San Marco
Sunday, December 19 –
Vesuvio Ensemble
Price:
FREE
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. West
Mask or face covering required. Proof of double vaccination required to enter the facilities.
Join us for our NEW Taste of Italy series and savour the flavours of the Italian peninsula.
Indulge in delicious and authentic Italian dishes prepared by Slow Food Toronto President and Chef, Luciano Schipano.
Lardo alle Erbe su Focaccia di Castagne e Uva
“Lardo” with herbs on toasted chestnut focaccia with grapes
Straccetti di Cavolo Nero brasato al Vino Rosso con Tomino in Camicia di Speck alla Griglia
Grilled “Tomino” cheese wrapped in speck, on a bed of black cabbage braised with Barolo wine
Tajarin al Cacao con Ragù di Porcini e Castagne
Cocoa “fettuccine” tossed in a Porcini mushrooms and chestnut sauce
Girello di Maialino su Polenta di Castagne e Rosmarino
Baby pig tenderloin with a side of rosemary-infused chestnut “polenta”
Panna Cotta di Castagne con Fichi Glassati
Chestnut panna cotta topped with glazed figs
Coming in January.
Price:
$100 (Per person and inclusive of tax)
Price includes one glass of wine. Additional wine, beer, mixed and soft drinks will be available for an additional cost.
Location:
Ristorante Boccaccio, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. West
To ensure the safety of all attendees there will be a maximum capacity of 70 adults (10 per table) per dinner. Mask or face covering required. Proof of double vaccination required to participate.
Join us for our NEW Villa Cucina cooking class series, and experience authentic Italian dishes with professional Chef, Luciano Schipano.
Each week, Chef Schipano and his team will discuss new dishes in detail and provide step-by-step demonstrations. Participants will learn hands-on cooking techniques, how to best use essential ingredients and foolproof recipes to recreate for family and friends.
Each evening ends as you sit back, taste and experience the prepared feast, together with fellow participants.
Gnocchi go way back to Roman times. They were made from semolina dough, mixed with eggs.
Gnocchi has developed into different variations since then. At first, they existed with different ingredients such as squash and breadcrumbs. Then they came with cheese and potatoes. But it didn’t become the potato dumplings we know today until the 16th century, when potatoes were introduced to Europe. They are potatoes that are more starchy, that make light, airy dough and are responsible for the soft, pillowy texture and more potatoey flavour of the gnocchi.
Gnocchi is generally a first course dish, or an alternative to pasta. There are many variations – ricotta, spinach, pumpkin, and more.
In this cooking class with Chef Luciano, you’ll learn how to make your own fresh gnocchi to impress a crowd and satisfy their taste for something distinctive and delicious.
Chef Luciano will teach you to make handcrafted ricotta gnocchi and potato gnocchi. Then, he’ll show you how to make a delicious mushroom ragù to top them.
This class will be a step-by-step, hands-on demonstration, meaning you will cook along with the chef in real-time.
Master your skills or learn how to make fresh egg pasta with Chef Luciano Schipano. In this class, Chef Luciano will bring the expertise of Chef Anthony Sestito from “il Pastaio” and together they will showcase all the tricks and tips you’ll need to make this pasta to perfection.
Pappardelle is just a wider, but equally delicious shape of pasta.
Fettuccine with Bolognese Sauce and Pappardelle with squash and mushrooms will be served at the end of the class.
Join us and learn how to make the traditional Tortellini. Explore the flavours of Bolognese cuisine with this interactive cooking class.
Chef Luciano Schipano will bring the expertise of Chef Anthony Sestito and together they will show you how to make pasta from scratch. You’ll get to know the secrets of Bolognese cuisine through one of the most famous Bolognese pasta dishes in the world: the traditional Tortellini Alla Panna (with milk and cream sauce), and a warm winter delicious Tortellini in Brodo (in soup).
Traditionally, Ravioli is a festive dish. Chef Luciano Schipano with Chef Anthony Sestito will teach you the art of preparing stuffed Ravioli.
You will learn how to make authentic Ravioli from scratch, using only eggs, and the right type of flour. For the filling, we will use the traditional ricotta and spinach.
At the end of the class, you will enjoy this delicious dish with “Cipriani sauce” (butter and sage), topped with Parmigiano Reggiano.
Medaglioni is a large-sized ravioli, but round, and sometimes can be half-moon shaped (mezza luna). Chef Luciano Schipano and Chef Anthony will showcase how to make Medaglioni from scratch and fill them with braised lamb, as they walk you through a mouthwatering cooking experience from their favorite family recipes.
At the end of the class, you will enjoy the dish with a simple rosemary-infused tomato sauce.
The name Cannelloni comes from “torch”, the short tube that lets the water out at the mouth of the fountains. Chef Luciano Schipano and Chef Anthony Sestito will teach you how to make classic Italian Cannelloni stuffed with ricotta and spinach called “Manicotti” or the classic recipe stuffed with meat: Cannelloni. You’ll learn how to make the pasta and traditional filling, and once we’ve finished cooking, we’ll enjoy a delicious meal together to celebrate our hard work!
Chef Luciano Schipano and Chef Anthony Sestito will teach you how to make the ultimate comfort food: Lasagna. You will make the fresh pasta and create the rich fillings for each layer of this savoury, satisfying meal.
Struffoli, Pignolata, or Italian Honey Balls are tiny balls of fried dough tossed in a delicious sticky honey sauce and decorated with festive sprinkles. It’s a fun and delicious Italian Christmas dessert that the whole family can enjoy making! Chef Luciano Schipano will share with you his Nonna’s recipe, so you can celebrate your Christmas with one of the most popular “dolci” di Natale.
As per the new Ontario regulation, ALL ATTENDEES must be fully vaccinated. Please have a copy of your proof of vaccination and a copy of a valid ID before entering the premises.
The class is sold individually, meaning that one purchased registration is intended for one single person who can join and actively participate in the class.
Included in the class:
Wine, beer, mixed and soft drink will be available to purchase on site. Feel Free to ‘Bring Your Own Wine ‘for a small fee.
Please note:
Space is limited so book ahead to avoid disappointment!
Events are subject to change pending Toronto public health & safety measures.
Information on what to expect with respect to our COVID-19 protocols:
The product images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product. The items and/or ingredients listed for the event may vary according to stock availability. We reserve the right to change products at any time without notice. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Price:
$90.00 (Per class, per person & inclusive of tax)
Price includes: antipasto platter on arrival, hands-on cooking lesson and demonstrations, and final prepared dish to enjoy on-site. Wine, beer, mixed and soft drinks will be available for an additional cost.
Location:
Ristorante Boccaccio, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. West
To ensure the safety of all attendees there will be a maximum capacity of 30 adults (2 per table) per class. Mask or face covering required. Proof of double vaccination required to participate.
Did you move from Italy in the last 20 years?
Then join us and fellow expatriates for a
festive meet & greet. Reunite with fellow colleagues
and celebrate new friendships as we enjoy
un piatto di pasta prepared by Chef Luciano Schipano.
Given the volunteer-run nature of this evening,
we cannot accommodate any special food requirements.
$5.00 (Inclusive of tax and booking fees)
Location:
Ristorante Boccaccio,
Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. West
To ensure the safety of all attendees there will be a maximum capacity of 60 people. Mask or face covering required. Proof of double vaccination required to enter the facilities.
Join us as we celebrate the holiday season with the Coro San Marco Choir, featuring conductor Michael Colla and pianist Adolfo De Santis.
$15.00 (Inclusive of tax and booking fees)
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. West
Maximum capacity of 70 people. Proof of double vaccination required to enter the facilities.
Experience the Vesuvius Ensemble as they perform traditional Southern Italian folk songs, accompanied by instruments typical of the Italian countryside. Celebrate the holiday season with this special performance including a pastorale played on the zampogna, special bagpipes traditionally played by shepherds on Christmas Eve.
Vesuvius Ensemble: Francesco Pellegrino, Lucas Harris, Louis Simão, Romina Di Gasbarro
Special Guest: Tommaso Sollazzo on zampogna (from Italy)
$38.00 (Regular admission)
$32.00 (Students & Seniors)
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. West
Maximum capacity of 80 people. Proof of double vaccination required to enter the facilities.
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.
Donations welcome at the door. Cash only.
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave. West
To ensure the safety of all attendees there will be a maximum capacity of 70 people. Side-by-side seating available to families and social circles. Mask or face covering required. Proof of double vaccination required to enter the facilities.
For more information, or to inquire further, please contact:
Angelita Papa
Arts & Culture Coordinator
Phone: 416-789- 7011 Ext. 248
Email: cultural@villacharities.com
