ITALIAN
HERITAGE MONTH
The best of Italian culture, heritage and cuisine will take centre stage during Italian Heritage Month in June at the Columbus Centre. Villa Charities will celebrate the cherished annual occasion with a series of engaging events and programming throughout the month.
Thank you for participating in 2024’s Italian Heritage Month!
Please check back again next year in June as we will celebrate the cherished annual occasion with a series of engaging events and programming throughout the month.
For the latest program updates, subscribe to the Villa Charities newsletter.
Pasta Making Classes: Taste of Italy
with Chef Luciano
- Tuesdays, June 3 – 17, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Experience Italy through hands-on pasta-making sessions, guided by Chef Luciano Schipano and his team of Chefs. With a focus on regional Italian cuisine, Chef Schipano will take you through the art of making fresh pasta by hand, exploring traditional dishes from different regions of Italy. Each session focuses on an easy-to-replicate pasta dish, offering a taste of authentic Italian flavours and culinary techniques.
Each session includes a tasting of a traditional dish featuring the handmade, take-home pasta you’ve made, and a printed sauce recipe.
Price:
$60.00 (per session)
Location:
Columbus Room,
Columbus Centre
Presented in partnership with Chef Luciano Schipano.
“Italia & Canada: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”
Nick Biagini, Francesco Gallé, Salvatore Gallo, Sam Paonessa, Mario Pariselli, Frances Patella, Marina Randazzo, Danilo Ursini
June 5 – 27, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 5, 7:00 – 9:00pm
In celebration of Italian Heritage Month, this exhibition presents a portrait of Italy and Canada through the lens of Italian Canadian artists whose diverse backgrounds – spanning generations, techniques, and lived experiences – trace the evolving intersections of the two countries. By engaging with themes such as climate change, immigration, and urban development, the artists reflect not only on personal narratives but also broader social and cultural dialogues.
In a time of increasing polarization, “Italia & Canada: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” seeks to foster dialogue and common ground, emphasizing shared values of beauty, progress, and human rights. Without shying away from the complexities of our era including war, crises, and environmental challenges, the exhibition offers a space that is both reflective and welcoming.
Price:
FREE
Please register for the Opening Night Reception on Thursday, June 5 at 7:00pm.
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
Il Canto Italiano
Featuring Sara Papini & Romulo Delgado
- Tuesday, June 10, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Il Canto Italiano is a passionate performance of beautiful Italian music by acclaimed soprano Sara Papini, tenor Romulo Degado, and pianist Sabatino Vacca. Enjoy an evening of opera arias, Neapolitan classics, and popular Italian songs.
Price:
$40.00 (Adults) / $25.00 (Seniors/Students)
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
L’eco dei Dialetti
A Celebration of Dialects
- Wednesday, June 11, 6:30 – 9:00pm
L’eco dei Dialetti is a celebration of Italian dialects through the performance of original works. Authors of poetry, prose and song will highlight the rich and varied heritage of the many dialects Italy has to offer. Join us for this free celebration of dialects with music, food and laughter! Light refreshments will be served.
Price:
FREE
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
Circus Cabaret
It’s Shirley Happening
- Friday, June 13, 8:00 – 10:00pm
Come one, come all, to a circus extravaganza! Step right up and meet ringmaster Dame Shirley Happening, your drag ‘hostess with the mostess.’ Within the wondrous the three-ring circus of life, Shirley will lead you on an unforgettable high-wire act of song, dance, dazzling costumes, comedy and audience antics. Get ready to participate in the merriment of the Circus Cabaret – in Shirley style! With special guest appearance by Tony Astri.
Price:
$30.00
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
In collaboration with Cirque Revolution.
Serenata Cinematica!
Coro San Marco
- Sunday, June 15, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Under the direction of Artistic Director Daniele Colle, Coro San Marco returns with a captivating new program celebrating music from the movies. Serenata Cinematica! features timeless film themes by acclaimed composers Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, John Williams and many others, brought to life by the choir and soloists while movie scenes are projected as a backdrop to the performances. The choir will be accompanied by pianist Adolfo De Santis.
During the concert, Coro San Marco will award scholarships to young musicians who will pursue their music studies at a Canadian university.
Price:
$15.00
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
Celebrate Italy
Columbus Concert Band
- Tuesday, June 24, 7:30 – 9:00pm
Columbus Concert Band commemorates Italian Heritage Month with an unforgettable concert celebrating the rich musical traditions of Italy. Under the baton of Annamaria Mazzaferro, this award-winning ensemble will present an eclectic repertoire, including masterpieces by classical composers like Puccini, timeless hits from legendary Italian-American singers Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, vibrant jazz numbers, and treasured regional songs. Don’t miss the grand finale of their 2025 season!
Price:
$15.00 (Adults) / $10.00 (Seniors/Students)
Location:
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,
Columbus Centre
Presented in partnership with Columbus Concert Band.
“The Casorsos: La Prima Famiglia”
Documentary film
- Wednesday, June 25, 6:30 – 8:45pm
It was 140 years ago that Giovanni Casorso first came to Kelowna. This feature-length documentary tells the story of Giovanni, Rosa and their family, and their impact not only on the City of Kelowna and the Italian community, but on their legacy passed down through generations.
The story of the Casorso family and their voyage to Canada is expansive and fascinating. It encompasses the tribulations facing Italians after Unification in the late 1800s, including experiences typical to Italian immigrants before the turn of the century arriving in North America. It offers a glimpse of what was happening in the new frontier province of BC and the early history of the Central Okanagan and Kelowna.
Price:
A ‘PAY WHAT YOU CAN’ EVENT
(Donations welcome at the door.)
Location:
Columbus Room,
Columbus Centre
Blessing of the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute Installation
- Thursday, June 26, 10:00 – 11:30am
Celebrate Italian Heritage Month with us at the blessing of the Villa Charities Italian Canadian Immigrant Tribute, our heritage installation dedicated to Italian immigrants and their families. We are honoured to welcome His Eminence, Frank Cardinal Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, to the Columbus Centre for a ceremony to bless the Immigrant Tribute donor name plaques, commemorative sculpture, and surrounding space. Light refreshments will be served.
Deadline to purchase your plaque to be included on the installation for the blessing is Wednesday, June 4th.
Price:
FREE
Location:
Villa Charities Italian Candian Immigrant Tribute,
Columbus Centre
The ceremony will be held outdoors at the Tribute installation site. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, in the Columbus Centre.
For more information, please contact:
Mirella Tersigni
Cultural Manager, Cultural Programming
Email: MTersigni@villacharities.com