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
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Judie Boom's Look Busy
When the robots have our jobs… what on earth will we do all day?
Blending stand-up, storytelling and a touch of joyful chaos, Look Busy dives into our automated future with humour and heart. It’s a show that gets people laughing, thinking and talking long after the lights go up.
- 24/09/2026
6.30pm - 8.30pm
Exhibition
Free
Exhibition Preview Night - Sarah Hall Baqai
Sarah is a mixed media, multidisciplinary artist whose work is inspired by traditional folk art and popular art forms which include theatre and street performance, stories and decorative arts. Playful and engaging, exuberant festivals and fiestas which bring people together, delight the senses and add colour to life inform much of her work with particular interest in Circus and fairground and folk traditions from around the world. Sarah trained as a graphic designer at the London College of Printing. Composition, design, typography and letterforms remain significant in much of her work. After a period of working in Andalucia, Spain, in the 1990's, she began experimenting with working in papier-mâché to create sculptural forms . This work led to exhibitions and major commissions for large scale installations in London and Paris fashion stores.
For this exhibition 'Bread and Circuses' Sarah has produced paintings which reflect her experience of behind the scenes preparation during rehearsals and performance at the Circus (Gifford's Circus and Gloucestershire & 'Fools Delight' Oxfordshire) together with lettering works related to Circus and cabaret and graphic work celebrating York and the Minster which celebrates 1400th anniversary of it's founding in 2027. As the evenings draw in, and the days shorten, willow lanterns will be introduced to the space, bringing light as we approach Halloween and bonfire night. Please come along and join us to view the work and to meet Sarah. Not to be missed. - 25/09/2026
Doors and music from 7pm
DJ Nights
Free
The Modern Age
A night celebrating the modern age - expect post millenial indie, indie pop, electroclash and new rave bangers...
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Groovetone
Delighted to welcome back Groovetone to rise and their eclectic mix of jazz, blues, funk and ska . Guaranteed to fill the dancefloor so get here early and bag a spot!
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The Sunday Social Comedy Club
Join us again for a good giggle at rise with the very funny John Pease and laughs from four other hilarious acts.
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Lilith: The Other Side of the Story
A dramatic, uplifting one -woman spoken word show. An exploration and celebration of female power through the mythological character of Lilith.
Shocking, seductive and entertaining. - 03/10/2026
Doors and music from 7pm
DJ Nights
Free
The music of Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five
Speaks for itself we think - impossible not to dance tonight!
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Beau Gentry & The Rattlers
Join us for a gorgeous evening of Old Time and original melodies from Mark Gentry (banjo), and Kev Booth (mandolin) of Beau Gentry. They'll be joined by the ever-popular Rattlers bringing the usual eclectic mix of International Folk.
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Stu Freestone and the Lights
A Fusion of Spoken Word & Folk Music
Support from Isadora Darling
Stu Freestone has become a distinctive voice on the UK spoken-word scene. His work lives between grit and gentleness, written in a playful style rooted in everyday moments. Drawing from family stories, kitchen tables, pub corners, and stages across the country, his poetry celebrates ordinary lives with extraordinary care.
Stu Freestone And The Lights brings spoken word and folk together for a live show that moves between intimate storytelling and full-band energy. Stu’s poetry sits at the heart of it all, backed by guitar, accordion, drums and a collection of other sounds, building something that feels part gig, part poetry night and part late-night gathering around a table with good friends.
Expect rhythm, warmth, humour and heart. Poems that begin quietly and build.
Songs that swell around the words. Accordion weaving through guitar and drums. Moments that make you laugh, moments that catch you off guard, and moments that leave you staring into the middle distance for a second longer than you expected.
Words, music, stories mixed with a little bit of beautiful chaos.
Stu Freestone And The Lights turns ordinary stories into something bigger.
Not quite a gig.
Not quite a poetry night.
Something in between.
Come and step into the lights. -
Paahto & The Bull
Paahto & The Bull is the guitar-duo project of Patrick "Paahto" Cummins and John Francis Flynn.
Having met and played together since 2011 and having cut their teeth at The Maple Hotel on Dublin's Gardiner Street, Paahto and John helped form the Irish traditional group Skipper's Alley in 2013 and would remain long-term sparring partners and an integral cog in Dublin's traditional and folk music communities. Once There Was A King was another of their musical endeavours which reached into a progressive musical space in its short-lived timespan. However, as with any collaboration between these two players, Paahto & The Bull is beyond a meeting of two musical minds and encompasses a very personal element.
During the covid-19 pandemic, the pair experimented with music on two guitars inspired by Paahto's interest in bluegrass flat-picking and John's very original approach to accompaniment. Beginning with just an Instagram page to post some amateur material, Paahto & The Bull decided to take the project more seriously and gradually worked towards recording an album with the help of Brendan Jenkinson and Ben Rawlins. The ethos for the duo has always been to focus on simplicity and only features the musicians playing their guitars despite them both being multi-instrumentalists and singers.
The music of Paahto & The Bull is a very honest reflection of the unique kind of sound that Cummins and Flynn have consistently created with each other over the past fifteen years and, although one might have expected their initial release to be a banjo/guitar product, the lateral thinking that went into choosing a guitar duet is also very in line with the particular flavour of progressive that these lads strive for. The statement is firm: "This is what we play. This is how we play. And this is what we are going to play."
Having signed with Claddagh Records in late 2025, Paahto & The Bull will be releasing their debut album during 2026. - 16/10/2026
Doors and music from 7pm
DJ Nights
Free
On My Way
Our last evening of Northern Soul classics for the year - lets make it extra special! Dancing is of course required - a brilliant night to watch, learn, and participate!
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A taste of the Mediterranean
Join us as we make our debut with our Mediterranean dining experience.
Sit back, relax and enjoy live music provided by Katie Gray.
Enjoy a welcome drink on arrival at 7pm, then dine on our Tapas style menu from 7.30pm.
We will start with Bruschetta, then Mushroom and Leek Arancini, Pork Tigania (diced pork shoulder with wine and leeks) Briam (roasted vegetables with herbs and feta cheese) Gigantes (giant beans in tomato and herb sauce) and finish with a wonderful Titamisu.
£39.95 per person.
Curated wines and beer available to purchase from the bar. - 22/10/2026
Doors from 7.30pm, show starts at 8.30pm
Theatre & Performing Arts
£10 plus booking fee
BookUnwritten the Literary Improv Show takes on a spooky 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. How will Dr Jekyll get on in their new job? Who is haunting Scrooge? Who will die before the story can get told? We may even have a spooky song....
An evening of laughter, surprises, and Halloween delights awaits.
Dress up if you dare!
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. - 23/10/2026
Doors and music from 7pm
DJ Nights
Free
BYO - new style!
This is the third installment of our themed BYO nights - this time, it's 'homes and places'.... A Town Called Malice, Penny Lane, No Sleep till Brooklyn, Vienna.....what are you bringing?! Book yoursel a half hour slot by contacting [email protected]
- 28/10/2026
6.15pm to 9pm
General
Pay what you feel advance booking. Suggested donation £8 + booking fee
BookSTEW - another serving
Join us again to support grassroots groups in York, eat good food, and soak up some community vibes.
What is STEW?
STEW is an event designed to build community whilst raising funds for grassroots groups. It’s a space where we can come together, share a warming stew (hence the name), learn about one another's ideas, and make new connections.
How does the event work:
1. Join us from 6.15 pm, where you'll be invited to pull up a chair, settle in, get to know your neighbour and enjoy some hearty stew.
2. Hear from three people from across the city who will each have just four minutes to pitch their community grassroots project idea in front of the audience.
3. Cast your vote to decide which project will benefit York the most, and who should win the majority of funding
Tickets:
We know that everyone's financial situation is different, and so (to make this event accessible to as many people as possible) we're offering a 'pay what you can' ticket system. Please contribute what feels right for you.
A drink and a meal
• You will receive a hot or cold drink and some delicious stew as you enter, all included in the price of your ticket.
• There will also be bread, along with dairy or vegan butter available on the side.
Dietary information: The stew and bread we’re providing will be vegan. Unfortunately, there are no gluten free options at the bakery
Ingredients: Butternut squash, red pepper, sweet potato, potato, aubergine, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, fennel seeds, tomatoes, salt, pepper, olive oil, parsley, coriander -
A Posse of Prose Poems
Anne Caldwell, Oz Hardwick and Bob Beagrie.
Three poets who practice the art of prose poetry present an evening of performance and readings from their latest collections. -
Brilliant Burlesque!
We are delighted to welcome back our resident Burlesque Queen, Freida Nipples! New performers, so much fun, more details to follow...
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Black Magic Assortment
A selection of dark stories for Hallowe'en with Lara McClure
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Christmas Cards & Gift Tags Lino Printing Workshop
A lovely relaxed evening of festive linocut printmaking
Come and join me for a gorgeous creative evening. You'll learn how to hand print your own unique Christmas cards and gift tags, and leave with a set of really special handmade cards and gift tags.
Join York based artist and creative director Susan Bradley to create your own unique linocut printed cards and gift tags, in this lovely relaxed festive workshop.
Susan works as a professional artist in York using linocut, letterpress and monoprinting techniques. She is an award-winning designer and has worked in creative fields (graphic, product, furniture and interior design) for over 20 years. -
Paper Christmas Tree Workshop
Talented designer Susan Bradley, joins us again to host a workshop where you can come and make a free standing tree from crepe paper, simple idea, stunning effect! Mince pies available as standard! All materials provided.
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Christmas Pottery Power with The Wilson Sisters
Come and get festive with our second Wilson Sisters workshop this year. Create and glaze a family of three ceramic Christmas trees for a gift or a gift to self! All trees will be fired in kilns and ready for collection before Christmas. Mulled wine and Bluebird mince pies will of course be available!
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DBC3
Live Dub Reggae Band. Featuring Dandy Dizzle & Nikki H, + DJs Minesh, Lady R & Jahhdan (from Tallulah Soundsystem)
- 26/11/2026
4.30pm - 8.30pm
Family Friendly Activities
Free
Christmas Makers' Fair Number One!
Our Christmas shopping evenings are back! We will, as usual, be host to an array of talented, local makers, have a choir, be raising awareness and money for a local charity and have mulled wine and frangipane mince pies on tap! All you need for your Christmas shopping needs!
- 10/12/2026
4.30pm - 8.30pm
Family Friendly Activities
Free
Christmas Makers' Fair Number Two!
Another evening of artists and makers', fund raising and frangipane mince pies! We can't wait already!
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Festive Baps & Buns Burlesque
Get ready for an evening of debauchery & glamour to hit Acomb, are you ready for it?! Keep your eyes peeled for further cast announcements…
More events coming soon!