Rise Up! at The Bluebird Bakery York

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Rise Up!

Until 24 September 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Anthony (Vahni) Capildeo
Anthony (Vahni) Capildeo
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Rise Up! is a monthly celebration of poetry featuring three invited guests, including, recently, Anthony (Vahni) Capildeo (pictured), Rosie Garland, Rachel Long and JP Seabright. Following a couple of months off over the summer months, Rise Up! will be back in September and welcoming to the mic Ian Duhig, Kirsten Luckens and Henry Raby.

Ian Duhig has published seven books of poetry, won the Forward Best Poem Prize once, the National Poetry Competition twice and his New and Selected Poems was awarded the 2022 Hawthornden Prize for Literature. Ian Duhig’s most recent book of poems, An Arbitrary Lightbulb, was the 2024 Poetry Book Society Winter Choice.

Kirsten Luckins is a Teesside-based poet whose work explores ekphrasis, ecopoetics and experimentation generally. Her latest pamphlet, Offworld (The Braag, 2025), tells the journey of two runaways as they planet-hop through a disintegrating empire of colonised worlds, where octopi seek out strip clubs and anything can be bought at a spaceport. It’s described as: “Beautiful, shocking, funny and prescient, this pamphlet presents us with glimpses of ruined and defiant futures.”

Punk poet Henry Raby’s work has been described as playful, highly charged, passionate and anarchic. Henry writes about anger and hope – the twin emotions to keep you fuelled for the fight, he says. Henry has been published by Burning Eye Books and co-runs York spoken word organisation Say Owt. He co-hosts the Vandal Factory podcast, looking at the magic moments where art and activism meet.

The Rise space is the evening arts venue at the Bluebird Bakery (hence the name) and regularly plays host to spoken word, art exhibitions, live music, theatre, comedy, family-friendly nights and much more. Here’s what the blurb says: 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.

Now a regular on York’s expanding live literature scene, Rise Up! hosts and Northern Writer Award winners Nicky Kippax and Elizabeth Chadwick Pywell also offer three open mic slots to performers who’ve signed up in advance – giving emerging voices an important opportunity to share their work with a live audience. The whole event usually finishes with a signing, when you’ll have the opportunity to buy books from the readers. Tickets are £10 + Eventbrite booking fee of £1.55.

Where to go near Rise Up! at The Bluebird Bakery York

Blossom Street Gallery
York
Gallery
Blossom Street Gallery

An independent art gallery, design shop and gift emporium, based in historic York. They are proud to showcase the work of local and regional artists.

Micklegate Social
York
Micklegate Social

Beautiful corner property overlooking the walls. Speciality coffee, ten craft beer lines and fresh food.

Skosh
York
Restaurant
Skosh

Skosh serves food in the form of snacks and small plates, allowing you to have as little or as much as you want in a comfortable setting.

The Grand York
York
Hotel
The Grand York

The Grand York, York’s only five-star hotel, hosts stunning rooms containing original Edwardian features.

York
Restaurant
Legacy

Legacy, in York’s iconic ‘The Grand’, offers a modern British and Yorkshire-inspired tasting menus paired with an exceptional wine list.

Roots York
York
Restaurant
Roots York

Sister restaurant to Michelin-starred The Black Swan, Roots has embraced its farm-to-fork ethos to bring a taste of Oldstead to the city.

23 St. Mary's B&B
York
Bed & Breakfast
23 St Mary’s B&B

Just outside the city walls, stylish interiors, spacious rooms and famous breakfasts make 23 St. Mary’s the ideal base for exploring this wonderful city!

York
Tourist Attraction
St Mary’s Church

Construction of this wonderful church began on July 13th 1852. Much has changed since then, but the historical value and pleasure of visiting has only increased.

Yorkshire Museum
York
Museum
Yorkshire Museum

The Yorkshire Museum houses five galleries showcasing some of Britain’s finest archaeological treasures and many rare animals, birds and fossils.

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