Calgary on Purpose: Winter 2026

Calgary is changing, and a new generation is helping shape what comes next.

Across our arts and culture, our institutions, our workplaces and our economy, new voices are emerging, new kinds of leadership are taking hold, and new ideas about what Calgary can be are moving from the margins to the mainstream. Some of these leaders are highly visible. Others are quietly reshaping the city around us. Our theme for the evening is “The New Generation Shaping Calgary.”

At our next Calgary on Purpose evening, we’ll explore the people, ideas and cultural shifts influencing Calgary today, and what they might tell us about the city we are becoming.

We'll hear from CONTRA, the boundary-pushing musician, filmmaker and creative director helping redefine Calgary's cultural landscape; Adam Pekarsky, entrepreneur, executive search professional and keen observer of Calgary's emerging leaders; and Lisa Jacobs, the award-winning bassist and songwriter is bringing her remarkable musical talents and stories to the stage. And, we are launching a new feature celebrating inspiring community builders.

Dave Kelly will guide us through an evening of humour, music and conversation as we explore how our new generation of leadership is shaping the city we're becoming.

Calgary on Purpose evenings are about gathering together, being curious about one another and paying attention to the people and possibilities already around us.

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, unclaimed seats may be released to the rush line 10 minutes prior to start time. If you have reserved a ticket, please arrive at least 10 minutes before the event begins. 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.