One day – Seven Hours – 100 Writers – 50 Events

The Oakland Book Festival hosts over 100 novelists, poets, historians, philosophers, journalists, editors, and activists at City Hall, engaging event goers in panels, interviews, and open debate. This year’s Festival will feature Angela Davis, Judith Butler, Danielle Allen, Jeff Chang, Arlie Hochschild, Sheryl Oring, Mistah F.A.B, Wendy Brown, Ishmael Reed, L.A. Kauffman, Laura Albert and Anthony Marra (among many others). This year's theme is "Equality & Inequality," with curated panels on "Equality in the Arts," "Universal Income," "The Free Press," "Inequality in Academia," "Identity and Class," "Standing Rock and Indigenous People's Rights," "Racial Profiling," and of course multiple panels on the election and the future of American Democracy. 

Join L.A. Kauffman, Cat Brooks, and Sarah Leonard from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in the Chambers of Commerce for a panel on direct action. 

Children’s Area – Music – Booksellers – Food

The outdoor portion of the festival, on Frank Ogawa Plaza, includes a dedicated children’s area with performances from Children’s Fairyland, “favorite-stories” read by librarians from the Oakland Public Library, and book-making projects courtesy of Chapter 510. Oakland Youth Poet Laureate will be announced on the amphitheater at 1:00pm.

There will be live music on the amphitheater all day. Booksellers, magazine publishers and local literary organizations will have booths on the plaza; food trucks will provide nourishment.

And don’t miss …

Keynote Address

When: Saturday, May 20, 2017, 5:00pm

Where: Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland CA

The Oakland Book Festival 2017 will kick off with a keynote address on “Equality” by Danielle Allen at 5pm on Saturday May 20th in Council Chambers at Oakland City Hall. This event is free and open to the public.

Opening night Party

When: Saturday May 20, 6:30pm

Where: Starline Social Club, 2236 M.L.K. Jr Way, Oakland, CA 94612

The Starline Social Club will host a gala reception for the OBF from 6:30-8pm. This is an opportunity for you to meet the novelists, journalists, philosophers, poets, artists, and editors participating this year, from Danielle Allen to Sheryl Oring to Mistah F.A.B., privately and in person, over the Starline’s delicious cocktails and food—all while supporting the Oakland Book Festival’s present and future efforts!

Please purchase tickets for the OBF gala here. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/975549984/2017-oakland-book-festival?ref=project_share

The event at the Starline will continue with a general admission party starting at 8pm. There will be mercifully few readings, many musical performances, and non-stop dancing from 8pm-2am.