NEW CULTURAL EVENTS

Ballo Liscio

Social Dancing Nights

  • Wednesdays, July 2 – August 27, 6:30 – 8:30pm

The Italian tradition of Ballo Liscio continues every Wednesday all summer long in the Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard. Join us for these popular outdoor social dancing nights featuring music by popular Italian DJs and musicians.

Price:

A ‘PAY WHAT YOU CAN’ EVENT

(Donations welcome at the door.)

Limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Men and women seen dancing holding hands outdoors on a sunny afternoon

Location:

Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard,

Columbus Centre

 

This is an outdoor event. In the event of rain, the event will be moved indoors.

Ferragosto

  • Sunday, August 17, 11:00am – 3:00pm

Celebrate the height of summer and commemorate Ferragosto, the annual Italian summer holiday! Enjoy an afternoon filled with family-friendly fun featuring live musical entertainment, children’s activities, raffle prizes, authentic Italian foods including traditional porchetta, pasta and fresh pizza*, and a licensed patio at Caffe Cinquecento.

 

New this year, visit our Market Lane to explore vendor booths offering a variety of foods, handmade goods, and seasonal favourites.

Price:

$5.00

 

*While supplies last, on a first-come, first-served basis.

This is an outdoor event. We encourage you to bring your own chair.

Location:

Anthony Fusco Sr. Courtyard,

Columbus Centre

 

Presented in partnership with CIBPA Toronto.

 

With support from Caffe Cinquecento, Columbus Centre Athletic Club, Comites, Eataly, Hero Certified Burgers, Pizza Nova, TLN Media Group, Toronto Public Libraries

Cinema Sotto le Stelle

  • Thursdays, August 7 – 28, 8:00pm

Join us every Thursday evening in August on the Caffe Cinquecento patio for a magical evening under the stars with contemporary Italian films.

 

Enjoy pizza or pasta al forno, and a glass of beer or wine for $20.00 + HST with the Cinema Sotto le Stelle special, available at Caffe Cinquecento throughout each screening.

 

Movies are in Italian with English subtitles.

Price:

$5.00 (deposit to secure seat)

 

This is an outdoor event, rain or shine.

Location:

Caffe Cinquecento Patio,

Columbus Centre

 

Presented in partnership with Caffe Cinquecento.

“On New Ground”

Giuseppe Mercurio Toronto Retrospective

  • September 4 – 29, 2025
  • Opening Reception: Thursday, September 4, 6:00 – 9:00pm

Villa Charities presents a retrospective of Giuseppe Mercurio’s work, a significant representative of the Italian artistic diaspora to Canada after the Second World War.

 

The exhibition spans thirty years of work, featuring a rich selection of pieces created using various techniques and media. The result is a fascinating and unpredictable artistic journey, starting with black-and-white photographs that capture deep emotion and symbolism—particularly the hands of his mother kneading bread, a central figure in Mercurio’s life—and culminating in the bold colours and experimental techniques of his most recent acrylic canvases.

Price:

FREE

 

Please register for the Opening Night Reception on Thursday, September 4 at 6:00pm.

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,

Columbus Centre

 

Under the auspices of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura Toronto and the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto.

 

Official Festival Hub of 2025 Ontario Culture Days.

Jump, Jive & Wail

A Tribute to Louis Prima 

  • Tuersday, September 9, 7:30 – 9:00pm

Get ready to relive the golden age of Las Vegas with “Jump, Jive & Wail: A Tribute to Louis Prima”, featuring Rocco Continenza and the Testifiers!

 

The 8-piece band serves up the swingin’-est, wildest, and zaniest set of Louis Prima hits from the ‘50s and ‘60s era including: “Oh Marie”, “Angelina (Zooma Zooma)”, “Buona Sera”, “When You’re Smilin’”, “Pennies from Heaven”and more. This interactive show is part lounge act, part history lesson, part celebration of the Italian (Sicilian) musical contributions to Jazz and a whole lotta fun.

 

Don’t miss an unforgettable night of high-energy musical entertainment that will have you singing, grooving and smiling – and get ready to swing like crazy as these cats bring the house down!

Price:

$25.00 (Adults) / $20.00 (Seniors/Students) 

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,

Columbus Centre

 

Presented in partnership with Frank Adriano Entertainment. 

“The Devil In His Big Blue Eyes”

Book Launch with Author Marlene Giuliano

  • Friday, September 12, 7:00 – 8:30pm

Join author Marlene Giuliano as she shares the true account of her life, family, and the spiritual battles that tested her faith and love for her children.

 

What would you do if your teenager while surfing the web made an alliance with the devil? After being bullied at school, he retreated to his room where extreme degeneration, murderous thoughts and confusion consumed his mind.

 

Through overwhelming challenges, the help of God, support of the church, and a chance encounter, Marlene’s son recovered. “The Devil in His Big Blue Eyes” is a remarkable story of courage, inspiration and hope.

Price:

A ‘PAY WHAT YOU CAN’ EVENT.

(Donations welcome at the door.)

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,

Columbus Centre

Academy of Realist Art

Studio Gallery Tours

  • Saturdays, September 20, 27, October 4 & 11,
    11:00am – 5:00pm
  • Mondays, September 22, 29, & October 6,
    10:00am – 6:00pm
  • Thursdays, September 25, October 2, & 9,
    10:00am – 4:00pm

At the Academy of Realist Art, through a unique step-by-step process, students master the skills and disciplines needed to create realist art.

 

Visit the in-studio art gallery and be amazed by great classical works of art by our students and master instructors.

 

For more information, email info@academyofrealistart.com or call 416-766-1280.

Price:

FREE

A lady painting a replica of Mona Lisa

Location:

Academy of Realist Art

Third Floor, Columbus Centre

 

Sponsored by Academy of Realist Art.

 

Official Festival Hub of 2025 Ontario Culture Days.

Recreational Drop-in Dance Classes

DanzArts Toronto

  • September 22 – 27, 2025

Interested in trying out a new dance class? DanzArts Toronto is excited to introduce children (ages 2.5+) and adults to the joy of dance by showcasing its benefits in a fun and inclusive environment! From September 22 to 27, sign up for any of DanzArts’ Recreational classes designed to nurture creativity and provide a rewarding dance experience for all students. Classes include Tiny Tots, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Acro.

 

For more information, email  dance@danzartstoronto.com or call 647-954-9868.

* Dates & times subject to Recreational class schedule & availability.

Price:

FREE

Location:

DanzArts Toronto Studios,

Columbus Centre

 

Official Festival Hub of 2025 Ontario Culture Days.

Yoga in the Gallery

with Seth Mohan

  • Tuesdays, September 23 & 30, 1:00 – 2:00pm

Join us for free drop-in yoga classes and amidst the backdrop of stunning artwork in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery. Expert instructor Seth Mohan will teach participants the movement, meditation and breathing techniques of Gentle Hatha Yoga and Hatha Yoga, to promote mental and physical well-being.

 

Participants will receive a 20% Discount Voucher toward a Columbus Centre Athletic Club Membership.

 

For more information, email fitness@villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011 ext. 213

Price:

FREE

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,

Columbus Centre

 

Presented in partnership with Columbus Centre Athletic Club.

 

Official Festival Hub of 2025 Ontario Culture Days.

Books and Biscotti

Book Readings and Discussion

  • Wednesday, October 1, 7:00 – 9:00pm

Join us for a celebration of literature with an evening of poetry and short stories featuring Italian Canadian authors Bruna Di Giuseppe-Bertoni, Natalie Boccia, Joe Giampaolo, Christopher Manieri, Gianna Patriarca, and Maria Zarrone.


This free event is organized by the Association of Italian Canadian Writers. Space is limited.


Coffee and biscotti will be served.

Price:

FREE

Location:

Columbus Room,

Columbus Centre

 

Sponsored by Association of Italian Canadian Writers.

 

Official Festival Hub of 2025 Ontario Culture Days.

Villa Colombo Seniors Art Show

Art Show and Sale

  • Saturday, October 4, 11:00am – 3:00pm

Enjoy the artworks created by the seniors group at Villa Colombo Toronto. Led by local artists, the collection includes acrylic and oil paintings. On display and available for purchase.

Price:

FREE

Small paintings seen across table

Location:

Lobby, Columbus Centre

 

With support from Villa Colombo Toronto.

 

Official Festival Hub of 2025 Ontario Culture Days.

Stone Art

Creation Workshop

  • Tuesday, October 7, 1:00 – 2:30pm

Join us to create beautiful and colourful patterns on river rocks in this hands-on stone art workshop. Learn the history of stone art while learning a variety of design techniques. All materials will be supplied.

Price:

FREE

2 stones painted as fishes

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,

Columbus Centre


Official Festival Hub of 2025 Ontario Culture Days.

Tarantelle d’Italia

Ballo Liscio Social Dancing

  • Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 – 8:30pm

Enjoy the Tarantella, a folk dance from various regions of Italy in this Ontario Culture Days edition of our Ballo Liscio social dancing nights! Led by expert dance instructors, you’ll discover the music and dance of the Tarantelle d’Italia, and enjoy entertainment by Fortunato Gratta.

Price:

FREE

 

Limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Location:

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery,

Columbus Centre


Official Festival Hub of 2025 Ontario Culture Days.

For more information, please contact:

 

Mirella Tersigni
Cultural Manager, Cultural Programming
Email: MTersigni@villacharities.com

×