Optimist Club of Calgary

2025 Optimist Club of Calgary Festive Showcase Wednesday December 3rd
2025-12-03 19:30 - 22:30 (America/Edmonton) | Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1M4, Canada
Get ready, Calgary! On Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, the spotlight will shine bright as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Optimist Club of Calgary Festive Showcase at the iconic Jubilee Auditorium.
This isn’t just an event—it’s a jubilant celebration of talent, heart, and community spirit! Local youth musicians and dancers will hit the stage to perform the dazzling routines they’ve been pouring their passion into all season long—live, in front of a roaring audience, under professional lights. From captivating choreography to breathtaking musical performances, this unforgettable evening is a tribute to 25 years of empowering young artists and bringing magic to Calgary’s holiday season.
Hosted by the Heebee-jeebees, the performing groups will include the 7-Time Global Award Winning Calgary Stampede Showband, The Young Canadians, the Stetson Show Band, the Calgary Round-Up Band, and several other performing groups. Let’s make this silver anniversary sparkle!

TICKETS: Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster

TO BUY RESERVED SEAT TICKETS: CLICK HERE

DRESS CODE: Casual
PARKING: Parking is available at the Jubilee Auditorium
Last year, approximately 1,500 people attended the event and enjoyed some incredible music, singing, and dance performances. This year promises to be even better!

The above pictures are from last year’s Optimist Festive Showcase Concert

2026 Optimist Club of Calgary Essay Scholarship Contest NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
2025-12-05 - 2026-01-11 | Alberta
Attention all Students – Here’s your chance to win a Scholarship!
CONTEST APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
The Optimist Club of Calgary is excited to announce the return of its Essay Scholarship Contest for the 2025–26 school year! This inspiring opportunity is open to students who are under 19 years of age as of October 1, 2025.
To enter, students are invited to craft a 700–800-word essay on the theme: “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me.” So sharpen those pencils, share your story, and let your creative writing skills shine!
Submissions will be accepted until January 10, 2026.
To apply, download the Oratorical Contest Application described below, complete it, and submit it via e-mail to Bob Steele, Essay Contest Chair, at ironmanb@telusplanet.net with the Subject “Essay Contest”. The entry must include a completed application form, signed by the entrant and his/her parent, a copy of proof of age, and a brief statement of the school and grade attended. Entries will be acknowledged as received, and there will be no limit on entries. There will be a Zoom meeting between Mr. Steele and entrants in December to discuss the rules; it is recommended that entrants wait for that meeting before writing their essay.
CONTEST APPLICATION FORM: 25-26_Essay_Application
There are medals and cash prizes of $300, $200, and $100 for the top three essays. The best essay will be entered into the Scholarship contest. All Optimist clubs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Montana may enter this contest. One post-secondary scholarship valued at $2,500 is awarded in this contest.
Any questions regarding the contest should be directed to Bob Steele, Contest Chair, via email at ironmanb@telusplanet.net.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL ESSAY SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST
Optimist International sponsors the Essay contest to allow young people to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country, or a more historical perspective. In addition to developing written expression skills, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship.
In the past eleven Essay Contests, the entrant from our club has earned the $2,500 scholarship for our District six times.
For more information on the Essay Contest, check out our website at https://optimistyyc.org/contests/ or the Optimist International Website by CLICKING HERE.

2026 Optimist Club of Calgary Oratorical Scholarship Contest - ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS STARTING JANUARY 8TH AT 8 AM
2025-12-05 - 2026-01-18 | Alberta
Attention all Students – Here’s your chance to win a Scholarship!
The Optimist Club of Calgary is thrilled to host once again its Oratorical Scholarship Contest for the 2025–26 school year! This exciting opportunity is open to students under 19 years of age as of October 1, 2025.
Contestants will research, write, and deliver a powerful four- to five-minute speech on the inspiring theme: “The Moment I Realized I Belonged — My Definition of Community.” We encourage students with public speaking experience — whether through school, church, Guides and Scouts, 4-H, Air Cadets, or programs like Toastmasters Youth Leadership. Now is your chance to step up, share your voice and creative writing skills, and shine!
IMPORTANT NOTICE – Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8:00 a.m. on January 8, 2026. The contest is limited to a maximum of 10 participants. Please note that any submissions received before January 8 will not be considered.
To apply, download the Oratorical Contest Application below, complete it, and submit it via e-mail to Bob Steele, Oratorical Contest Chair, at ironmanb@telusplanet.net with the Subject “Oratorical Contest”. The entry must include a completed application form, signed by the entrant and their parent/guardian, a copy of proof of age, and a brief statement of the school, grade attended, and previous speaking experience.
ORATORICAL CONTEST APPLICATION FORM ==> 25-26_Oratorical_Application
When completing the application, please note the Sponsoring Club Name is the “Optimist Club of Calgary,” and the Club Number is “13025”.
Our Optimist Club of Calgary In-Person Contest will be held on January 24, 2026, at 12:30 pm at the Fish Creek Branch of Calgary Public Library, 11661 Bonaventure Dr. SE. There are medals and cash prizes of $300, $200, and $100, and the first two speakers will advance to the Scholarship contest. They will compete in a contest for all clubs in Alberta during April to choose two speakers for the Scholarship Contest on May 16 in Saskatoon. Post-secondary Scholarships valued at $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000 are awarded in the district contest.
INFORMATION ON THE OPTIMIST ORATORICAL SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST
Beginning in 1928, the Optimist International Oratorical Scholarship Contest has become the longest-running program of Optimist International. The contest is designed for young people to gain experience in public speaking and provide them with an opportunity to compete for multiple post-secondary scholarships with a pre-assigned topic.
For more information, please click on the following link: https://optimist.org/member/scholarships4.cfm
Pictures from a previous contest are below
