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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Please Please You & Brudenell Presents Jeffrey Martin
Jeffrey Martin is a critically acclaimed American singer-songwriter and folk artist from Portland, Oregon. He is celebrated for his profound, narrative-driven songwriting, which has been likened to a blend of folk, Americana, and literary short stories.
Before becoming a full-time musician in 2016, Martin spent several years as a high school English teacher, a profession he left to "chase his dreams at all cost." This background is reflected in his lyrics, which are noted for their deep insight into the human condition, often focusing on the struggles and quiet dignity of people on the margins of society. Critics have called his songs "beautiful, sparse, and utterly devastating," with one saying his lyrics "read like Raymond Carver stories." - 30/01/2026
7pm-11pm
DJ Nights
Free
Flares - get down tonight!
A celebration of all things 70's - disco and funk, glam rock, punk, new wave and pop - definitely a night for dancing, platforms and flares!
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Kitty Valentine - an evening with...
Please Please You presents Kitty Valentine, a York based artist who weaves haunting folk soundscapes and atmospheric guitar with raw, honest lyrics. Known for her eerie vocals and vulnerable storytelling, she blends influences like Josef, Adrienne Lenker and Portishead, crafting songs that feel both intimate and dreamlike. With glitchy, lofi production, her self produced tracks balance warmth with haunting melancholy. Music for those drawn to the edges of folk, where every note holds a story and each lyric feels like a secret shared.
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Ladoo Fusion Kitchen Valentines Special
Dine-In with LFK - A Love Letter To Flavours. A five-course sit down dining experience, written as a love letter to comfort-led, bold flavours.
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Art Preview: Liz Foster
Join us to and be among the first to celebrate Liz Foster's new art exhibition, which will be gracing the walls for the next eight weeks. Nibbles and a chance to meet the artist, guaranteed. York artist Liz Foster is exhibiting her latest series of abstract paintings inviting you into rich, expansive imagined spaces. This series of paintings explores memory, landscape and the childhood feeling of being immersed in wild places. Full of colour, feeling and atmosphere, this body of work is being shown here together for the first time.
- 13/02/2026
7pm - 11pm
DJ Nights
Free
Into the Groove Valentines Special
A love themed night of classic 80's sounds. What should the last dance be....vote on the night!
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White Sail
White Sail are York-based trio Sarah Dean, Jane Stockdale & Chris Bartram. With a glorious melding of harmony vocals & guitars, mandolin, Celtic harp, Appalachian dulcimer, shruti box, trumpet, flute, woodwinds & percussion, the trio weaves its unique magic on the contemporary & traditional. White Sail have recently toured twice with Liam O’Maonlai, charismatic frontman of Hothouse Flowers, acting as his support, and also taking on the role of ‘house band’! After last year's SOLD OUT gig at rise@Bluebird, Oz Hardwick, reviewing for Rock N Reel Magazine, wrote, "White Sail's sound is in a line from those '60s bands who brought the instrumental textures of distant lands into British folk clubs…the three distinctive voices swoop and soar together in endlessly arresting arrangements - a masterclass in harmony. That's the essence of what makes the band…that rootedness in English/British tradition, but with enough of the unexpected to make them very much their own." “White Sail are rooted in the music of the people and the music of the land. There is a heart-driven energy in the way they share their music and songs…we made a lot of music together venturing into the unknown." Liam O’Maonlai (HOTHOUSE FLOWERS)
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Cole Stacey
“A magnificent sound” – Patrick Kielty, BBC Radio 5 Live
“Breathtaking, that incredible voice” – TradFolk
“He is incredible” – Times Radio
Cole Stacey is a visceral and lyrical songwriter, singer and musician who has roamed the highest diverse echelons of British folk, 80s pop, spoken word and ambient electronics. From The Royal Albert Hall to The Westfalenhalle Arena, from 700-year-old castles in Gdansk to Glastonbury Festival. In Feb 2025 he released his debut album Postcards From Lost Places which immediately entered the UK Album Charts at Number 57 and The Official Folk Charts at Number 20. At its heart is a symbiosis of ‘lost’ places and forgotten words, stretching as far back as the 13th century, paired with Cole’s distinctive lyrical songwriting and remarkable field recordings.
He played to sell-out audiences in the album launch UK Tour and in between European tours performing with Midge Ure and alt-folk duo India Electric Company he’ll be continuing his sharing concerts in some truly unique spaces into 2026 with an album already being talked about as one of the best of the year. Bringing together his years of experience on stage, Cole Stacey’s deeply personal solo shows are rooted in storytelling, directed by a love of popular song and have connection with people and places are their heart -
Rise Up!
Our ever popular poetry and spoken word evening returns after a two month break. We are delighted to be hosting Peter Sansom, Michael Schmidt and Sash Trevett. As always, three open mic slots are available and fill up quickly! More details to follow for this event.
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The Rich Hardcastle Band
Join us for a charity concert in aid of St Leonard's Hospice York. Performances by The Rich Hardcastle Band and Simon Ashworth.
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Adderstone presents...Hildegard-eners, a storytelling cabaret into the world of a 12th century rebel.
Hildegard of Bingen: visionary, composer, scientist, healer, proto-ecologist, rebel. Inventor of 'greening power' and bane of the corrupt. Not what you'd expect from a 12th century nun with migraines! In this storytelling performance, threaded through with songs and illuminations, Just 17 quizzes and general good craic, Adderstone (Cath Heinemeyer and Gemma McDermott) take you inside her incredible life - and invite you too to join her legacy and become a Hildegardener! This debut performance of HILDEGARDeners, in the weekend of International Women's Day, comes with a special bonus, the raucous magic of storyteller and rise favourite, Lara McClure! A proportion of the proceeds will go to Medical Aid for Palestinians, in honour of Hildegard's connection with healing. For ages 12+
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Designed for Who? Gender and public space in York.
Who is our city really for? Public spaces shape our everyday lives. They influence where we feel comfortable spending time, how safe we feel moving around the city, and whether public places feel welcoming or not. This event is part of International Women's week and the evening brings together a panel of speakers with backgrounds in architecture, active travel, lighting and community work, alongside shared lived experience of using York's public spaces. This event is for anyone who uses public space and has an interest in making York a city where women and girls feel welcome, safe and able to belong. Doors from 7pm and there will be informal activities/discussion points to get involved in before and after the main panel. Aimed at adults. Tickets to be booked in advance and are on a sliding scale of free to £10. Any payments made are taken as a donation to the Make Space York project that focuses on creating welcoming parks for teenage girls. The event is hosted by Abigail Gaines who runs the Make Space York project and is part of the York International Women's week programme of events: www.yorkwomen.org.uk More information: https://letsmakespace.org/designed-for-who Instagram @Makespaceyork Email questions - [email protected]
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UNWRITTEN: The Literary Improv Show
An evening of laughter, silliness and plot twists! 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 SOON.
- 13/03/2026
Doors and music from 7pm
DJ Nights
Free
On My Way
Our Northern Soul, Soul and Motown DJ night returns! Playing all the very best feel good floor shakers and soul stompers
- 14/03/2026
Doors and music from 7pm
DJ Nights
Free
George Michael and Wham DJ session
Who doesn't love George Michael?!! So much to celebrate here - whether you are an early Young Guns fan or a Faith faithful, come and dance and sing to your hearts content to all his amazing music.
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The Sunday Social Comedy Club
First date of the year for the return of The Sunday Social Comedy Club. Hosted by the always brilliant John Pease, with four other hilarious acts , local talent and rising stars from across the circuit. Expect a relaxed friendly vibe and plenty of laughs to round off your weekend!
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Queens of Albion
In the days before Britain had been named, they were the first to set foot on the island. Sisters. Refugees. Shipwrecked and storm-weary. On the hunt for a home of their own. A land where they could live free. So how come we’ve forgotten the story of our first (and fiercest) mythic mothers?
Queens of Albion aims to set the record straight – as well spilling the beans on how a giant made Stephe miss her ninth birthday party. Intelligent, irreverent spoken-word from contemporary storyteller Stephe Harrop.
(60 minutes, suitable for audiences 14+) -
Todd Day Wait
Todd Day Wait is one of the last real American workhorse, pedal-to-the-metal troubadours - making his way from Missouri to California, to New Orleans, and now Nashville. His original material is deeply influenced by early American folk, country, and blues music from the 1920's through the 1960's,embodying the spirit and authenticity of traditional American music. Todd - whom you may know from his millions of spins on GemsOnVHS or WesternAF - writes and performs his own brand of timeless country music. Harking back to legends like Jimmie Rodgers, Willie Nelson, Wynn Stewart and Kris Kristofferson, he keeps the spirit of country music alive. In 2009, Todd put all his earthly belongings on the curb and hit the road in a diesel shuttle bus fuelled by vegetable oil, embarking on a never-ending tour. From busking the streets of New Orleans to performing in the shadows of European castles, to lighting up the honky-tonk dance floors of Nashville, Todd keeps it 60/50
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UNDER THE INFLUENCE PRESENTS: RIVA TAYLOR
Riva’s musical journey began at an extraordinary young age. Signing to a major label at just 12 years old, she became the youngest artist to ever secure a record deal with EMI. Since then, she has performed for King Charles, graced the BAFTAs, and appeared on global television. Even R&B icon Usher has praised her “great voice.”
The release of her latest EP in Autumn 2025 follows an exciting period for Riva, including a promotional tour across Latin America, a captivating appearance on Mexico’s national TV show Sale el Sol, a sold-out performance at Foro Indy Rocks Festival, and the success of her top-20 charting single, Cubano. Her music has received strong support from BBC Radio 1 and 2, as well as Sir Elton John, who featured her on his Apple Music Beats 1 show, telling listeners he “loved it.” -
Luke Wright: Later Life Letter
Later Life Letter tells the story of Luke Wright’s adoption – the life he leads, and the one he might have done. What’s it like to stumble across your birth mother on Facebook? How do you honour the parents who have raised you while satisfying a curiosity about where you came from? Is it telling that you married a social worker?
Wright navigates his audience through a warm and honest hour of poems and stand-up with the wit, pathos, and silliness that has made him one of the most popular live poets in England. - 05/06/2026
Doors and music from 7pm
DJ Nights
Free
On My Way
The second date of the year for our popular Northern Soul, Motown and Soul DJ session. Dancing is an absolute must!
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Under the Influence presents: Tom Bright
“ACHINGLY BEAUTIFUL” — Rev. Kate Bottley, BBC Radio 2
“THE EXCELLENT TOM BRIGHT” — Guy Garvey, BBC 6 Music
“ONE OF THE UK’S MOST MOVING SONGWRITERS” — John Kennedy, Radio X
Tom Bright is a relentlessly touring songwriter whose songs land with emotional weight and unvarnished honesty. 2025 saw him make his third television appearance on BBC One’s Sunday Morning Live, serenade thousands at his fifth Glastonbury Festival, and sell out shows across the UK and beyond.
Armed with a guitar signed by Johnny Marr of The Smiths and John Squire of the Stone Roses, Bright's tireless graft has seen him hit iconic heights of the London Palladium, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, appear on BBC’s The One Show and Sky News, and record countless live sessions and interviews for BBC Radio 2, 5 Live, Radio X and more. Along the way, he’s shared stages with The Libertines, Mystery Jets, Tom Grennan, Reverend & The Makers, Katherine Priddy, Ed Harcourt and others.
He has collaborated with The The, earned continued support from tastemakers Guy Garvey and John Kennedy and spent two years on Spotify’s Most Beautiful Songs in the World playlist with 'If I Met Your Shadow'. More events coming soon!