Connect Beyond Festival returns May 29–31, 2026 at The Orange Peel for a three-day gathering of filmmakers, musicians, artists, journalists, and creative thinkers exploring the ideas shaping how we live now. This arts and ideas festival welcomes attendees of all ages.
Lineup highlights:
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SPEAK – award-winning film screening and Q&A with filmmaker Guy Mossman and cast member Sam Schaefer
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The Community Garden – a venue-wide interactive art experience brought to you by some of the creative talent behind Meow Wolf, CalArts, and Epic Games
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Oakland Rising – performances by vocalists August Lee Stevens, B. Deveaux, and NAIM
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Shared Roots: Songs & Stories in the Round – a special evening of music and conversation featuring acclaimed musicians Mary Gauthier, Shana Tucker, and Marisa Blake, in an intimate songwriter round guided by music journalist Marcus K. Dowling
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StoryLab: Build The World You Want – youth workshop where participants can explore different types of media from newspaper design to film storyboarding to social storytelling
