Villa Charities

The Afterlives of Fascist Monuments in Contemporary Italy
2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | 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.

“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.

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.

“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”.

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.

Librissimi – Toronto Italian Book Festival 2026
2026-05-03 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-02 10:00 - 21:30 | 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.

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.

Friday Chats with our CEO, Marco DeVuono
2026-05-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Ontario
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.

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.

Ballo Liscio – Social Dancing Nights
2026-04-29 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-22 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-15 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-08 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-01 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-03-25 18:30 - 20:30 | 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.

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.

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.

“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.

“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.

“Neapolitan Ice Cream: The Musical”
2026-04-17 19:30 - 20:45 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
A two-person jukebox musical journey through one woman’s immigrant story, told through iconic Italian song and intimate narration.

Sounds of Spring
2026-04-14 19:30 - 21:00 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Welcome spring with a live concert featuring the Columbus Concert Band, the Columbus Jazz Band and special guest soprano Taylor Frisina.

Wine Tasting Event
2026-04-08 18:00 - 18:30 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Taste the wine made at Villa Charities’ grape pressing demonstration.

Less Defined Landscape – Spring Workshop Begins
2026-04-08 12:30 - 15:30 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
11-week oil and acrylics Less Defined Landscape Painting Workshop with Sam Paonessa begins. Wednesdays, April 8 – June 24.

“The Other Half of the Apple”
2026-04-07 19:30 - 21:00 | Columbus Room, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3, Canada
Join Professor Konrad Eisenbichler as he presents “The Other Half of the Apple” and discusses the experiences of Julian-Dalmatian immigrants in Canada.

“Everything Must Go” – Exhibition Opening
2026-04-02 18:00 - 21:00 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada

Italy Qualifier Screening – Final Qualification Match
2026-03-31 14:30 - 16:30 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Experience the excitement of soccer together with fellow Azzurri fans, family, and friends at our free community screening of the final qualification match.

Italian Immersion Toddler Program – Spring Term Program Begins
2026-03-30 09:00 - 10:00 | Leonardo Da Vinci Academy, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6A 1C3, Canada
Villa Charities and Leonardo Da Vinci Academy are offering Italian immersion classes for toddlers (ages 1 – 3) and their parents. Learn Italian through songs, games and stories.

Italy Qualifier Screening – Semi-Final Match
2026-03-26 15:30 - 17:30 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Join us to cheer on Italy as they compete in the crucial semi-final qualifying match leading up to this summer’s global soccer tournament, at this free community screening event.

Frank Moyo Live at the Columbus Centre
2026-03-19 14:00 - 15:30 | Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre, 901 Lawrence Ave W, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 1C3, Canada
Villa Charities is the proud Venue Sponsor of Frank Moyo Live at the Columbus Centre, presented by TLN Media Group – an interactive sing-along, live reading, and meet & greet with book signing of his heartwarming children’s book Nonna.
