Calgary on Purpose
June 17
7 PM | Heather Edwards Theatre
In this time of stress and confusion we deeply value the opportunity to gather in a caring 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. Come be energized by delight, conversation, and community connection.
The theme of our June 17 event is "men in our lives".
The guests are the very funny and insightful author Will Ferguson, brothers Jason and Sheldon Valleau the founders of the Polyjesters who self describe as "a Canadian Swing Band bent on world domination" and new spoken word creation by Priscille Buckahsa. Our estimable MC, Dave Kelly, will share a new story on the complexity of family life and lead a good conversation about what is possible for our beloved Calgary.
FREE to attend. Spots are limited.
Guests are welcome and encouraged to stay after the formal event to mingle and continue the conversation. Paid bar will be available.
Please pre-register to reserve your seat—and invite your friends, family, and colleagues.
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 join.
Thanks to the support of the many Calgary on Purpose volunteers, Calgary Arts Development, and Contemporary Calgary the evening is free of charge.
About Calgary on Purpose
Calgary on Purpose (C on P) 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. C on P 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.
About the Speakers
The Polyjesters
The Polyjesters are a Canadian Swing/Folk band created by brothers Jason and Sheldon Valleau. Born on the streets of France in 1999, they eventually brought the act back home to Canada, eventually touring much of the world, including Europe, Japan, Epcot Centre and thousands of gigs across North America. They are often accompanied by virtuoso soloists, and there are rumours that, in their 27th year, new songs are in the works to refuel their troubadour lifestyle and share their love of live music.
Priscille Bukasa
Priscille Bukasa is a Calgary-based spoken word artist, writer, and teaching artist with over 15 years of performance experience. Her work bridges poetry, storytelling, and community engagement, centering voice, cultural identity, and social reflection. She has performed at festivals, conferences, and cultural events including Chinook Blast, Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture, Block Heater Festival, and the ICC 6 Degrees Conference. In 2025, she co-wrote and narrated Oscar, a Hones-commissioned production that premiered at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Priscille has worked extensively as a Teaching Artist with the Werklund Centre and Arts ReimaginED, and currently serves as Festival Coordinator for Arts ReimaginED.
Will Ferguson
Author and travel writer Will Ferguson AOE is a three-time winner of the Leacock Medal for Humour, whose novel 419 won the Giller Prize for Literature in 2012. He grew up in the small town of Fort Vermilion in northern Alberta, and in 2024, was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence.
About the Host
Dave Kelly
Dave Kelly is an award-winning host, writer, and interviewer who creates intelligent and deeply human moments for events and keynote conversations around the world. He is the host of Dave Kelly Live - Canada’s own talk variety show. From his beginnings as a TV Host, Dave has spent decades leading conversations with business and political leaders across North America and beyond, from Stanford School of Business in California to Amman, Jordan and everywhere in between. He has led conferences and ran panels in categories as varied as health care, financial technology and artificial intelligence. He sat down for an hour-long in-depth conversation with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in Montreal, Ellen DeGeneres selected Dave as the moderator and interviewer for her multi-city tour across Canada, and he hosted a conversation with President Barack Obama in Calgary. Dave is the co-founder of Kelly Brothers Productions, an award-winning video and entertainment company.
