rise @ bluebird is our Acomb evening arts venue.
The space regularly plays host to live music, spoken word, art exhibitions, theatre, comedy, family- friendly nights and much more.
Rise aims to be a vibrant and independently-run creative hub, driven by love and support from the local community - and an ardent sense of adventure.
Pop down and check us out - we’re looking forward to you helping shape this place just as much as we do.
Gallery
What's on
- 16/05/2025
18:00:00
DJ Nights
Free
On My Way
Our Northern Soul residency with Michael Toy & Dan Guest (Brighton Beach). Expect Northern soul classics along with some upbeat Motown to get you moving. Don't forget your talcum powder! Food available from 6pm
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Bella Gaffney - support from Jake Robinson
Bella Gaffney (of The Magpies) is a folk troubadour whose music seamlessly weaves together original compositions and traditional tunes from both British folk and Americana traditions. Winner of the prestigious 2016 Celtic Connections Danny Kyle Award, Bella is celebrated for her folk-inspired songwriting and unique arrangements of traditional pieces.
In 2023, Bella released her latest album, ‘Reflections,’ which beautifully captures the essence of connections formed during the lockdown period. Her singles, ‘Fair and Tender Ladies’ and ‘Blood in the Earth,‘ featuring duets with Sam Kelly and Leesa Gentz (Hussy Hicks), received widespread acclaim and BBC radio airplay.
Apart from her solo endeavors, Bella is a vital member of the folk band The Magpies, lauded as ‘effervescent’ by The Sunday Times. The Magpies have garnered national and international recognition, including a live session on BBC Radio 2 and hosting an annual sold-out festival.
Bella’s live performances are a captivating journey through folk storytelling, leaving audiences with earworm melodies, foot-tapping rhythms, and smiles from her off-beat humor. Her work has been praised by critics and fellow musicians alike, with Americana UK calling her album “a compelling collection” and Mike Harding hailing her as a “great singer, great guitarist, [and] really interesting songwriter.” The Daily Mail describes The Magpies music as “folk with finesse.”
Local legend Jake Robinson will be providing support for this gig. Jake sings soulful interpretations of popular folk classics and jazz inspired original songs. -
Rise Up! A celebration of poetry and the spoken word
RISE UP! Join us to welcome Nafeesa Hamid, Zakariye Abdillahi & Samiir Saunders to our bakery stage! Nafeesa Hamid (b. Kashmir 1993, bred in Birmingham) is a poet; playwright; educator; performer; and director. When she’s not archiving city council bankruptcy, Nafeesa uses the intersectionality of her identity to inform her multi-disciplinary creative practice. Her poetry collection Besharam (Verve Poetry Press) was highly commended in the Forward Prizes 2019. Nafeesa is published in Forward Poems of the Decade 2011-2020 (Faber Poetry), The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write, (Saqi Books). Nafeesa has appeared on BBC Bitesize; BBC Radio 4 Comedy; The Verb; and at literary festivals across the UK and abroad. In 2023 she received a scholarship for Writing Poetry MA at Poetry School London, where she continues developing a body of work about corner shop culture, car boots, faith, and divine love. Zakariye Abdillahi is a poet, performer, playwright and filmmaker from Birmingham. His work often explores masculinity, faith and identity. His short poetry film ‘Cages’ has been broadcast on BBC 4 and BBC iPlayer. Last year saw him reach the finals at the Roundhouse Poetry Slam where he won the audience vote. He is currently a Roundhouse resident artist working on a one-man stage play set to release next year. Samiir Saunders is a multimedia poet from Birmingham. Their work encompasses spoken word, alternative hip-hop, and performance art. Samiir’s work is sometimes witty, other times vulnerable, but always filled with honesty and hope. Samiir’s aim as an artist is to inspire curiosity, compassion, and radical imagination within audiences and local communities.
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Unwritten: The Literary Improv Show
Ever wondered what Whose Line Is It Anyway? would be like with a literary twist? The Bluffs take classic short-form improv games and infuse them with storytelling flair. Every show is completely unique, shaped by audience suggestions and spontaneous creativity. Expect scenes inspired by classic literature, unexpected character mashups, and even a fanfiction-inspired musical number. An evening of laughter, surprises, and plot twists awaits! The Bluffs are a dynamic improv troupe with a mix of theatrical, comedy, and musical backgrounds. From festival stages to panto and Theatresports, they bring years of collective experience to the stage—crafting fast-paced, unscripted stories that keep audiences laughing and guessing what’s next. TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
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After Midnight
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
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Supper Club: Eylem's Kurdish Kanteen
Our legendary Supper Club returns! This time its hosted by Eylem - who will be bringing a taste of her Kurdish cuisine to Acomb!
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Baps and Buns Burlesque
We are thrilled to announce that York’s Burlesque Queen, Freida Nipples, is back at Rise this May.
Freida is an internationally award-winning burlesque artiste who will seduce you with astounding aesthetics and enthral you with her captivating stage presence.
Alongside her will be a selection of sensational cabaret artists. From drag queens to acrobats, you always know you will be in for a fun night at Freida’s shows which have been sell-out successes across York for the past six years, at venues such as York Theatre Royal, The Basement, Impossible and more.
So - prepare yourselves for an evening of debauchery & glamour in Acomb. The big question is, are you ready for it?!
Tickets include a welcome drink on arrival. (Non-alcoholic option available).
- 31/05/2025
18:00 - 23:00
DJ Nights
Free
Dusko
Join us for Dusko — a night of house music through the decades in a chilled-out café setting. These nights will bring talented DJs to transport you right back to the old-skool clubbing scene - with classic uplifters, retro anthems and dirty beats. Pop down, grab a beer, catch up with mates and - when the music takes over - get yourselves on the dance floor. All with the promise of a full eight-hours of beauty sleep.* *any after-party activity is entirely at your own risk.
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The Only Living Boy in New York: The songs of Paul Simon
Gary Stewart returns to rise to share a selection of Paul Simon's greatest hits.
Gary Stewart is a singer/songwriter from Perthshire, who cut his teeth performing on the Leeds music scene for 15 years, before moving to York where he currently resides. Stewart writes songs in the Folk/Pop vein and is influenced by the Folk Artists of the '60's and '70's. The Scottish Songsmith has released four Albums to date, his latest, 'Lost, Now Found',self-recorded, produced and released in June 2021. The debut single, 'Leopard' received steady A-List radio play on YO1 Radio, BBC Radio Scotland and Amazing Radio and last year another song from the Album, 'Tu Eres Mi Media Naranja', was played on Mark Radcliffe's Folk Show. The second single, 'Hot To Trot', features backing vocals from Rosie Doonan (Birdy/Peter Gabriel).
When not performing his own music, the multi-instrumentalist busies himself fronting his own reworking of Paul Simon's Classic Album, 'Graceland', with a seven-piece band who have played many a Theatre and Festival, including Shrewsbury, Towersey, Costa Del Folk, Moonbeams and Underneath The Stars to name but a few. Gary cites Simon as his chief musical influence and grew up learning and performing the extensive canon of songs from this legendary New York singer/songwriter. Tonight expect to hear classic tunes like 'The Boxer', 'Mrs, Robinson', Me & Julio down By The Schoolyard', 'Kodachrome', 'Graceland', 'The Obvious Child' alongside lesser-known 'deep cuts', such as 'Song For The Asking', 'Duncan' and more.
'That's Pop with Pizzaz' - For Folks Sake
'Reminiscent of a 1960's bedsit-era Paul Simon' - Northern Sky
'Definitely onto a winner' - This Is Fake D.I.Y - 07/06/2025
18:00:00
DJ Nights
Free
Resurrection - Indie Revival
Playing the best Indie tunes from the 80's & 90's. Food available from 6pm
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PAMPHLET LAUNCH: Janine Bradbury, Maya Caspari, Becca Drake
Join us to celebrate the pamphlet launches of three York poets: Janine Bradbury, Maya Caspari & Becca Drake. Doors at 7.30pm - readings at 8.30pm.
- 13/06/2025
18:00-11:00
DJ Nights
£6.00
SOBAR!
SOBAR is back! Our sober dance night (with a brilliant mixtape soundtrack) returns by popular demand - after a fantasric and bust inaugural event back in January. Tickets fly for this so don't delay. Come and be part of this lively friendly evening for a night out you won't regret. Whether you are sober, sober curious, off the booze or just fancy something a bit different, you are very welcome to this unique and uplifting alcohol-free night - the first of it's kind in York!
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Stout Boots
Stout Boots are set to bring their signature high-energy sound home with their first-ever hometown headline show at Rise in June. What started as an idea in the pub has turned into over a decade of unforgettable performances at venues, parties, festivals and pretty much anywhere else across the North of England and Europe.
Keeping their Celtic pub songs played hard approach at its heart the band is crafting special show that blends the energy of their festival sets with rich storytelling and brand-new original material. Expect a foot-stomping mix of Celtic pub songs, Irish favourites Scottish reels, Americana, rock – and maybe even the odd tune made up on the spot! - 20/06/2025
18:00:00
DJ Nights
Free
Into The Groove
An eighties vinyl extravaganza!
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David Ward Maclean CD and Book Launch
Doors 7:30pm
"I’m absolutely thrilled to share an evening of music with the marvellous Steve Kendra at the Bluebird Bakery, where I’ll be launching the release of a new CD, Sold As Seen, a beautifully edited and mastered selection of demos and live recordings, and a book of my lyrics from the last 20 years or so. Do join us." -
Dawn Landes
PPY presents Dawn Landes
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The Weeping Willows
3 x CMAA ‘Golden Guitar’, 2 x Australian Folk Music and Music Victoria Award winners, The Weeping Willows (Laura Coates and Andrew Wrigglesworth) are a couple of old souls, steeped in Bluegrass tradition and draped in Gothic Americana imagery. They regale their audiences with stories of sunshine and romance, God and The Devil, murder and decay. Real music.
The last 5 years have seen The Weeping Willows nominated for 14 x CMAA ‘Golden Guitar’ awards, 7 x Australian Folk Music Awards (AFMAs), 4 x Country Music Channel (CMC) awards, 2 x National Live Music Awards (NLMAs), performing Official Showcases at AmericanaFest (USA) and Folk Alliance International (USA) and appearing at Maverick Festival, Knutsford Music Festival, Beardy Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival (AU), Queenscliff Music Festival (AU) and the Australian Americana Music Honours. In recent years they have supported Lukas Nelson & POTR (USA), Hayes Carll (USA), Iris DeMent (USA), Willie Watson (USA), Eilen Jewell (USA), Mark Radcliffe & David Boardman (UK) and Katherine Priddy (UK) and completed national and international tours in support of their three LPs, including sophomore album, Before Darkness Comes A-Callin’, which received four-star reviews in Rolling Stone, The Australian and The Music. A Weeping Willows performance, whether live on location or caught on tape will always delight.
“…a mature, courageous and beguiling experience.” – No Depression (USA)
“…on the way to making some serious waves in Americana.” – AmericanaUK (UK)
“…stunning acoustic guitar work, heavenly harmonies, and a haunting melody rooted in
American Gothic.” – Pop Matters (USA)
★★★★ – Rolling Stone, Rhythms Magazine, The Music and The Australian. -
Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes
Doors 7:30pm
Over more than a decade LACHLAN BRYAN has built a reputation as a master storyteller, regardless of whether he’s performing solo, fronting his band The Wildes or collaborating with Country Music Icon Catherine Britt in The Pleasures. His songs range from hard hitting social commentary to deeply personal musings, but each contains a unique turn of phrase, dark humour and an ever-present sense of romance.
Lachlan has toured with icons such as Justin Townes Earle, John Hiatt and Shawn Colvin, as well as headlining his own tours and performing at festivals all over the world. He’s released five full length albums with The Wildes, all of which have received critical acclaim, featured in Yearly Top Ten lists and in some cases even charted strongly in the ARIA Official Australian Albums charts.
But it’s as a live act that Lachlan truly thrives. LACHLAN BRYAN & THE WILDES have built a devoted audience at home and are growing overseas thanks to their captivating performances – which have drawn comparisons to artists as disparate as The Bad Seeds and Wilco. As a solo act Lachlan slips effortlessly into troubadour mode, reminiscent of the Texas singer-songwriters who first inspired him.
If you haven’t caught Lachlan on his own or with the band, you may have seen him on the road as piano-player and co-conspirator with his friend Henry Wagons – the two have most recently been supporting Canadians The Dead South in theatres and arenas across the USA, Canada, the USA and Europe. Failing that, you may have heard the multi-award-winning Dream of America album which he co-wrote and produced for Muscle Shoals Southern Gothic Queen Hannah Aldridge. In any of his guises, Lachlan Bryan brings a warmth and wisdom to the stage and studio that wins over fans for life.
Lachlan Bryan. www.lachlanbryanandthewildes.com
www.thepleasuresmusic.com. Insta: @lachlanbryan -
Blair Dunlop
“The busy crowd… is testament to Dunlop’s talents. Dunlop brings an air of tenacity while displaying a fine repertoire of well-crafted songs spanning traditional and contemporary. He’s determinedly taking the traditions of folk in his own direction” The Independent
Blair Dunlop is an award-winning British singer-songwriter and guitarist, who has released 5 albums, 2 EPs and toured around the globe.
Blair burst onto the scene with his debut album ‘Blight & Blossom’ in 2012, showcasing virtuosic musicianship and lyrical maturity, and was awarded a prestigious BBC Folk Award in the wake of its release. A string of critically acclaimed albums followed, along with headline tours and festival appearances in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia. ‘Gilded’ and ‘Notes from an Island’ were released on his own label and singles ‘The Egoist’ and ‘356’ received national playlist status on BBC Radio 2. Following this, ‘Trails: Queensland’ (2021), Blair’s first live album, documented a tour of rural Australia, playing for isolated communities. From Glastonbury to Tuscany, Queensland to Palestine, Blair has brought his musicality and storytelling to audiences young and old. Album five was released 24th May 2024.
“From the outside, when listening to the music of Blair Dunlop, you get the impression that though he’s something of a natural talent he continues to work hard to progress both his songwriting and musicianship…. you can hear the folk heritage coursing through his veins as well as the originality he brings to the genre.” Songwriting Magazine
“A cult hero whose work is adored by those who come across it” Clash Music
“An adept guitarist whose epic songwriting instincts prevail on a personal-political fourth album” MOJO
“Blair Dunlop’s fourth album finds him fully ensconced as a singer-songwriter of maturity and sophistication… ‘Notes From An Island’ really ought to give Blair Dunlop the wider exposure he deserves” RnR Magazine
“On his fourth full length LP, ‘Notes From An Island’, he develops a more mature sociopolitical undertone to his music… Blair Dunlop could help bring the genre back to the forefront of the UK music scene.” Guitarist Magazine -
Edwina Hayes
Doors 7:30pm - Music 8pm
One of the finest female singer/songwriters this country has produced in years. Edwina brings together English folk, Americana and the rich Northern singer/songwriter tradition to create a sound that’s truly her own.
Highly accomplished she’s toured with such notable performers as Jools Holland, Van Morrison, Nanci Griffith and Loudon Wainwright III to name just a few.
Edwina numbers Michael Parkinson and Mike Harding among her fans and the title track of her album Pour Me A Drink was covered by Nanci Griffith who calls her 'the sweetest voice in England'.
Her cover of the Randy Newman song Feels Like Home was featured in the Cameron Diaz film My Sister's Keeper and has since had over twenty million plays on Spotify and over fifty million plays on You Tube.
Edwina's 4th album Ruby Rose was released in 2022.
'The sweetest voice in England. A wonderful young woman, so gifted and full of song.' Nanci Griffith
'Haunting, honeyed, solo songwriter.' The Guardian More events coming soon!