Villa Charities

Ballo Liscio – Social Dancing Nights
2026-04-22 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-29 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
The Italian tradition of Ballo Liscio continues every Wednesday, featuring music by popular Italian DJs and musicians.

“Francesco Pasinetti: Soggetti e Sceneggiature”
2026-04-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Columbus Room, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3, Canada
Discover the previously unpublished works of Italian filmmaker Francesco Pasinetti, presented by Prof. Alberto Zambenedetti.

“Transformations: The Italian Canadian Experience”
2026-04-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Editor Angelo Bolotta presents two commemorative anthologies outlining the experiences, challenges and accomplishments of Italian immigrants across Canada.

Artista Painting – Winter Workshop Ends
2026-04-28 12:30 - 15:30 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
13-week oil and acrylics Artista Painting Workshop with Sam Paonessa ends. Tuesdays, February 3 – April 28.

Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Ceremony
2026-04-28 15:00 | Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Wall, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W., North York, Ontario, M6A 1C3
The Consulate General of Italy and Villa Charities together with the Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Project Committee invite you to join us in honouring the memory of the thousands of Italian fallen workers.

Jazz at the Columbus Centre: Jazz’s Greatest Hits
2026-04-30 19:30 - 21:00 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Celebrate International Jazz Day with an all‑star ensemble led by Daniel Barnes as they re‑imagine classics by jazz legends.

Friday Chats with our CEO, Marco DeVuono
2026-05-01 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-05 11:00 - 12:00 | ON
You can have a meeting with Marco DeVuono, 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.

Librissimi 2026 Opening Night: Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation
2026-05-01 19:00 - 21:30 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Celebrate excellence in Italian Canadian literary arts as the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Joseph Pivato on the opening night of the literary festival.

Librissimi – Toronto Italian Book Festival 2026
2026-05-02 10:00 - 21:30, 2026-05-03 13:00 - 17:00 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
A celebration of Italian Canadian writing and culture for all ages and in all its forms, languages and dialects.

Artista Painting – Spring Workshop Begins
2026-05-05 12:30 - 15:30 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
7-week oil and acrylics Artista Painting Workshop with Sam Paonessa begins Tuesdays, May 5 – June 30.

“Cartapesta: Carnevale di Fano"
2026-05-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Columbus Room, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3, Canada
Discover the artistic and cultural heart of Italy’s oldest carnival, in Andrea Lodovichetti’s documentary, “Cartapesta: Carnevale di Fano”.

Democratic Violence Abroad: Democracy and Regime-Change in Classical Greece
2026-05-12 18:00 - 19:15 | Columbus Room, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3, Canada
A look at how ancient Athens used democracy as a tool of foreign intervention—and how these practices echo in modern global politics.

“Everything Must Go” – Exhibition Closing
2026-05-14 10:00 - 17:00 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
A group exhibition by WARD 9 that reimagines the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery as a haunting dreamscape evoking memories of shopping malls and department stores of the past.

The Afterlives of Fascist Monuments in Contemporary Italy
2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Columbus Room, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3, Canada
Professor Joshua Arthurs traces the afterlife of Fascist monuments, architecture and iconography, from the fall of Benito Mussolini’s regime to the present day.

Pasta-Making Classes: Classics of Nonna’s Table - Tagliatelle al Ragù
2026-05-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Columbus Room, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3, Canada
A hands‑on pasta‑making class where timeless Italian home recipes and regional traditions come to life, guided by Chef Luciano Schipano.

Giro Cycling Fundraiser
2026-05-24 | Veneto Centre, 7465 Kipling Ave, Woodbridge, Ontario, L4L 1Y5, Canada
Join us for the 19th Annual Villa Charities’ Giro Cycling Fundraiser.

Pasta-Making Classes: Classics of Nonna’s Table - Gnocchi alla Romana
2026-05-26 18:30 - 20:30 | Columbus Room, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3, Canada

Jazz at the Columbus Centre: Napoli in Jazz
2026-05-28 19:30 - 21:00 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Vocalist Alyssa Giammaria lends her rich, expressive voice to Neapolitan song favourites reimagined in stylish jazz arrangements.

Villa Colombo Toronto Auxiliary (VCTA) 35th Annual Golf Tournament
2026-06-02 07:15 - 14:00 | Glen Eagle Golf Club, 15731 Peel Regional Rd 50, Bolton, Ontario, L7E 3H9, Canada

Pasta-Making Classes: Classics of Nonna’s Table - Gnocchi di Ricotta al Burro e Salvia
2026-06-02 18:30 - 20:30 | Columbus Room, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3, Canada

Festa della Repubblica – Coro San Marco
2026-06-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Join Coro San Marco for a special Festa della Repubblica concert celebrating Italy’s national holiday through timeless operatic masterpieces.

Pasta-Making Classes: Classics of Nonna’s Table - Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa
2026-06-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Columbus Room, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3, Canada

“July 11, 1982: A Historic Day” Exhibition - Opens
2026-06-11 10:00 - 17:00 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
A powerful photo exhibition by Vincenzo Pietropaolo capturing the electrifying moment when Toronto’s Italian community transformed the city during Italy’s historic 1982 World Cup victory celebration.

Columbus Centre Soccer Fest - Opens
2026-06-11 14:00 - 18:00 | Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
The Columbus Centre transforms into Toronto’s home for soccer excitement and multicultural celebration as we welcome the summer’s global soccer event.

Columbus Centre Soccer Fest – Team Canada Match Day
2026-06-12 14:00 - 18:00 | Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Come out to cheer on Team Canada in their first game of the tournament, along with live music by The DNAs and a beer garden.

Columbus Centre Soccer Fest – Group Round Match Screening
2026-06-12 21:00 - 23:00 | Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Group Round: USA vs Paraguay

Columbus Centre Soccer Fest – Group Round Match Screening
2026-06-13 15:00 - 17:00 | Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Group Round: Qatar vs Switzerland
