MELAN8 is a celebration of Black Arts and Culture, focused on themes and intersections of Common/Unity & Community.

This year, the festival took place at St Mary's Guildhall on Saturday 29 March 2025 and celebrated, explored and engaged with Black culture and community through articulated thought and artistic expression including panels, keynotes, live music, live singing, dance, poetry and book readings, comedy, an Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony, workshops on creative writing, theatrical direction and publishing, tours and audio tours, children’s arts and crafts, face painting and more! 

Contributors included Casey Bailey, Corey Campbell, Keith Shayaam-Smith, Doreen Foster, Romanah Buchanan, Diandra McCalla, Laura Nyahuye, Victor Iringere, Abigail Kelly, Elizabeth Zeddie Lawal, Emmanuelle Henry-Cottrell, Marcia M Spence, Jamal Gerald, Tonia Daley-Campbell, Annette Fagon, KayFaraway and G3NNA & TEEDEMBA. The Festival was hosted by broadcaster Merisha Stevenson, comedian Smash Entertainz and singer and broadcaster Letitia George.

MELAN8 FESTIVAL | ST. MARY'S GUILDHALL, COVENTRY | 11AM-7PM, SATURDAY 29 MARCH
GREAT HALL: Panels, keynotes, live music, comedy, DJs, live singing, dance, group discussions
DRAPERS ROOM: Workshops on Creative Writing (3hrs), Publishing (45mins), Theatrical Direction (45mins) and Kizomba Dance (45mins) (places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis)
MEDIEVAL KITCHEN: Book Fayre with readings and a children's face painter and glitter tattooist
FILM ROOM: Award-winning film, plus an Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
MUNIMENT ROOM: Starting point for Site Tours (30mins) or Frederick Douglass Audio Tours (40mins)
MERCERS ROOM: Arts and Crafts for Children (all children must be accompanied by an adult)