Black Gold Arts takes over Aviva Studios

15/08/2026 - 15/08/2026

On Saturday 15 August, Black Gold Arts takes over Aviva Studios — our way.

Get ready for Black Gold Arts Festival: a bold, unapologetic celebration led by LGBTQ+ Global Majority artists and their allies. Expect a fierce mix of circus, family catwalk extravaganzas, live bands, DJs, stilt walkers, dance, spoken word, and so much more. Think of your favourite outdoor family festival… then crank up the fabulous. And the best part? It’s completely free.

Join us from midday as we celebrate creativity, community, and the full spectrum of who we are.

Carnival Chaos Collective Stilts sky-high, magic in the air, lewks that serve, and unicycles rolling through like rhythm — this fierce trio of walkabout performers brings full carnival fantasy with a queer twist. Expect colour, camp, and unapologetic joy as they weave through the crowd, turning every corner into a celebration. Performers: The House of Bones, Bobby, Ella The Great Melanin Melodies

Hosted by Tolu, this 100% QTIPOC live music showcase unfolds across two acts — Rap & RnB and Neo Soul — spotlighting Manchester’s finest talent. A rich blend of sound, story, and style from queer and trans artists of colour. Performers: Chantell, Bennett Is Coming, Laeeqa, AJ Leroy, Trueaubz Melanin Moves

A vibrant celebration of movement, culture, and rhythm. Melanin Moves brings together a dynamic lineup of exceptional performers from across the POC dance community — delivering high energy, bold expression, and powerful storytelling. Featuring: inI – Iconic A striking Afro-fusion duet connecting Nigeria to Blackpool, blending traditional and contemporary styles to explore identity, heritage, and connection. Carnival Qweenz A fierce queer carnival dance trio turning up the volume on Soca — bold, joyful, and unapologetic in their celebration of freedom and self-expression. Fire Fly Crew Blackpool’s own breaking powerhouse, bringing gravity-defying tricks, sharp footwork, and raw street energy to the stage. Lip Sync Brawl Part rock concert, part theatre spectacle — this high-stakes lip-sync battle puts the power in the audience’s hands. Your cheers decide the winner. Expect dazzling costumes, razor-sharp performances, and big personalities in an unpredictable, immersive showdown where the crowd reigns supreme. Performers: TBC For Miss Lala Three Black female performers. Three solos. Three radical acts of remembrance. Through body, air, and presence, For Miss Lala reimagines her legacy with unapologetic power — serving strength, sensuality, risk, and resistance. This is circus re-rooted. This is history re-told. This is a love letter and a reckoning. Performers: TBC