Calgary on Purpose: Fall 2026

In this time of stress and confusion we value the opportunity to gather in community, delighting in the good will and remarkable talents of our neighbors. Each of us has an opportunity to contribute to building an even better Calgary and it can only be done together.

Calgary on Purpose evenings promise to leave you thinking about how you can purposely help to build a better, more connected Calgary. Come to our September 9 event to be energized by delight, conversation, and community connection.

Loosely themed “Ties That Bind,” September’s event will feature the very funny and insightful author Will Ferguson; Calgary-based country-pop artist Alexandria Hughes, known for her soaring vocals, genre-blending sound, and engaging storytelling; and Katie Samoil, an emergency nurse and aerospace physiology researcher who facilitates mass-casualty simulations across North America.

Our esteemed emcee needs no introduction. Dave Kelly has been with Calgary on Purpose from the beginning and promises to once again get us howling and reflecting. He will share a personal story about the complexities of family life and what it can teach us about what’s possible in our beloved city.

As Dave describes it, “These evenings are like a block party where we revel in the remarkable talents of our neighbours and in the goodwill that comes when we connect on purpose.”

FREE to attend. Spots are limited. Pre-registeration required.

Guests are welcome and encouraged to stay after the formal event to mingle and continue the conversation. Paid bar will be available.

Calgary on Purpose events are gifts to our community. If you register for one of our evenings, please make every effort to attend. If for some reason you can't, please give up your spot so that others can attend. You can release your ticket by following the process in your Eventbrite account.

Rush line policy: To help ensure a full house, any unclaimed seats may be released to the rush line 10 minutes before the event begins. If you have reserved a ticket, please arrive and check in at least 10 minutes before the event start time. After that time, we cannot guarantee your seat.

About Calgary on Purpose

Calgary on Purpose is a citizen-based project dedicated to growing Calgary’s reputation as a model for how the people of the world can live well together. At the heart of our work are artists who act as community convenors, bridge builders, expanders of civic imagination, and storytellers. Calgary on Purpose hosts artist-led events that build community and common purpose for Calgarians which can also act as models for what’s possible across the city, province, and country.