Raise the Bar

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Raise the Bar

The South West's leading live poetry night. Events, open mics, retreats + more.

Raise the Bar is a premier live events organisation and talent development platform, providing a space for artists of all kinds of background and lyrical styles to perform their work, and providing high quality YouTube packages of their poetry. We also invite outstanding and internationally renowned poets, as well as fantastic local talent, to perform at our live events.

02/06/2026

✍️ Raise the Bar: Writing Workshop | Summer 2026 ✍️

Our quarterly poetry workshop returns to — an affordable, welcoming space for writers of all levels to generate new work, explore contemporary poetry and connect with other poets in the community.

Our Summer workshop will be led by poet and facilitator Saili Katebe ().

Saili Katebe is a Zambian-born writer, performer and workshop facilitator whose work celebrates the musicality of language and the power of storytelling to connect people. A former poet-in-residence aboard SS Great Britain, his work has featured on BBC Arts and BBC Radio Bristol, with performances spanning stages across the UK — including as a finalist in the BBC Edinburgh Festival Fringe Slam.

Through gentle writing prompts, discussion and creative exercises, this session is designed for both complete beginners and experienced/published writers alike.

✨ Just 15 places available
✨ £5 tickets
✨ Advance booking essential

📅 Saturday 17 July 2026
📍 Arnolfini (Reading Room), Bristol
⏰ 12:00–2:00pm
🎟 Tickets via link in bio

30/05/2026

🖋️ Weekend Writing Retreat with Pascale Petit & Cecilia Knapp 🖋️

Applications close TOMORROW for Raise the Bar’s post-emerging writing retreat — a full weekend of poetry, craft, conversation and creative development in the beautiful surroundings of Barley Wood House.

✨ Pascale Petit () — award-winning poet and author of nine collections, four shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize. Her latest collection Beast was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation, and Mama Amazonica won both the RSL Ondaatje Prize and the inaugural Laurel Prize for eco-poetry.

✨ Cecilia Knapp () — poet, novelist and former Young People’s Laureate for London, shortlisted for the Forward Prize and author of the acclaimed collection Peach Pig and novel Little Boxes.

Designed for post-emerging poets, this retreat is for writers looking to refresh their practice, deepen their craft and continue building sustainable creative careers in a supportive, inspiring environment.

Expect:
 🖋️ Advanced writing workshops + craft discussions 🔥 Space to generate new work and deepen your practice 🌱 1–1 tutoring with facilitators 🎤 Fireside open mic + creative community 🌳 Time to write, rest and explore beautiful grounds 🥗 Full vegan catering + accommodation included

Raise the Bar retreats are known for their warm, welcoming and family atmosphere — a space to connect, experiment and grow alongside fellow poets.

📅 Fri 13 – Sun 15 Nov 2026 📍 Barley Wood House, Wrington, Bristol 💛 Bursary spaces + travel bursaries available

Applications close TOMORROW (31 May, 9pm).
 Apply via link in bio.

Our retreats and artist development programme are supported by .

30/05/2026

🌿 Weekend Writing Retreat with Salena Godden & Safiya Kamaria 🌿

Applications close tomorrow for our Autumn 2026 residential writing retreat at Barley Wood House — a full weekend of poetry, creativity, community and artistic development with two extraordinary writers and facilitators.

✨ Salena Godden () — award-winning novelist, poet and broadcaster, author of the acclaimed Mrs Death Misses Death and Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Her work blends urgency, imagination and radical tenderness in unforgettable ways.

✨ Safiya Kamaria () — award-winning poet, choreopoet and inventive live performer whose acclaimed collection Cane, Corn & Gully was shortlisted for both the Rathbones Folio Prize and the Forward Prize for Best First Collection.

Designed for emerging and developing poets, this retreat is for writers looking to refresh, create new work, build confidence and deepen both craft and career skills in a warm, supportive environment.

Expect:
 ✍️ Writing workshops, creative prompts and lively discussions 🔥 1-1 tutoring with facilitators 🌱 Space to develop your voice, confidence and creative practice 🎤 Fireside open mic with fellow attendees 🤝 A welcoming, supportive creative community 🍃 Time to read, write and explore 11 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland 🥗 Full vegan catering + accommodation included
Raise the Bar retreats are known for their warm, welcoming and family atmosphere — a space to experiment, grow and connect with other writers.

📅 Fri 6 – Sun 8 November 2026 📍 Barley Wood House, Bristol 💛 Bursary spaces + travel bursaries available ⏳ Applications close TOMORROW (31 May)

Places are limited. Apply via link in bio.

Our retreats and artist development programme are supported by

29/05/2026

🌿 Here’s what 2025 attendees thought about Raise the Bar’s writing retreats 🌿

Warm, inspiring, confidence-building, creatively energising — our retreats are designed to help poets and writers deepen their craft, build community and reconnect with their creativity in a welcoming, supportive environment.

✨ Our 2026 retreats are now live — featuring internationally acclaimed poets, performers and facilitators across writing, performance and professional development.

From full-day writing and performance retreats to catered residential weekends, there are opportunities for poets and writers at different stages of their journey.

⏳ Applications close this Sunday (31 May) — don’t miss your chance to join us.

💛 Bursary spaces + travel bursaries available 📍 Retreats across Bristol & the South West 🎟 Apply via link in bio

Supported by

26/05/2026

RTB Open Mics return to Bristol — a supportive space to share new work or try the stage for the first time.

The night is open to poets, storytellers, rappers, lyricists and wordsmiths of all kinds.

Open mic rules: • One piece per performer • Max 3 minutes • No punching down • No nudity

💡 Open mic sign-ups open right now!
Link in bio for sign-ups and tickets.
 10 advance spots + 4 drawn on the night 
Content may be personal; a general content warning is given at the start of the night and performers can add their own. You can step out and return at any time.

🔥 June Open Mic: Tuesday 16 June 2026 🔥 📍 The Orchard Coffee & Co ()

Featuring: ✨ Farah Chamma ()  ✨ Pete the Temp ()

22/05/2026

🌿 Full-Day Writing Retreat with Deanna Rodger & Adam Kammerling 🌿

We’re excited to open applications for our Autumn 2026 writing retreat at Chew Valley Community Farm — a full day dedicated to creativity, craft, community and artistic development with two exceptional poets and facilitators.

✨ Deanna Rodger () — internationally acclaimed poet, performer and Clore Fellow whose work has been commissioned by Adidas, FIFA, Amnesty International, the Young Vic and more. Her poetry has travelled the world, blending sharp insight, emotional depth and fearless creativity.

✨ Adam Kammerling () — award-winning poet, interdisciplinary artist and educator, whose work spans poetry, theatre and performance. His acclaimed collection Seder was a finalist in the National Jewish Book Awards, and his work has toured nationally across theatres, galleries and live spaces.

Designed for emerging and developing poets, this retreat is for writers looking to generate new work, build confidence, deepen their craft and explore new artistic and professional pathways in a supportive environment.

Expect: ✍️ Guided writing workshops and creative prompts 🌱 Conversations around craft, creativity and career development 🔥 Facilitated sessions with two nationally acclaimed artists 🤝 Space to connect with other poets and writers 🍃 Time to read, write and reflect in the beautiful surroundings of Chew Valley Community Farm 🥗 Full vegan lunch + snacks included

📅 Saturday 19 September 2026 📍 Chew Valley Community Farm, Bristol ⏰ 10am–4pm 💛 Bursary spaces + travel bursary available

Places are limited and expected to fill quickly. Apply via link in bio.

Our retreats and artist development programme are supported by

21/05/2026

🔥 Travis Alabanza joins Raise the Bar: UK Poetry All-Stars 🔥

We’re incredibly excited to announce award-winning writer, performer and theatre-maker as the latest addition to the line-up at this autumn.

One of the most vital and influential voices in contemporary performance, Travis’ work spans theatre, poetry and cultural criticism — exploring gender, race and identity with boldness, humour and extraordinary vulnerability. From sold out international runs of Burgerz and Overflow to writing featured in The Guardian, BBC and beyond, their work has reshaped conversations around live art and storytelling.

Joining an already huge line-up featuring:

✨ — World Poetry Slam Champion and Sunday Times bestselling author
 ✨ — Ted Hughes Award winner and one of the UK’s most beloved live poets
 🎧 on the decks

After a record-breaking 2024 edition, UK Poetry All-Stars returns bigger than ever for a massive celebration of contemporary spoken word.

📅 Sunday 27 September 2026 📍  ⏰ 7pm start 🎟 Tickets via link in bio

20/05/2026

🔥 Our next Open Mic in Bristol is here! 🔥

Join us on Tuesday 16th June for another dynamic night of live poetry, featuring two phenomenal voices:

✨ Farah Chamma () — Palestinian poet and performer bringing her powerful UK ‘The Troubadour’ Tour to Bristol. Blending spoken word, live music and fierce political storytelling, Farah’s work has captivated audiences across the world.

✨ Pete the Temp () — poet, performer, beatboxer and former national poetry slam champion, known for his wild, joyful and unforgettable live shows combining poetry, comedy and experimental sound.

🎤 The mic is open to poets, storytellers, lyricists, rappers and wordsmiths of all kinds — whether it’s your first time or your hundredth. Come share your work, or settle in with a drink and experience some of the city’s finest voices.

📅 Tuesday 16 June 2026 📍 — 20 Clouds Hill Rd, Bristol BS5 7LA ⏰ Doors 7:00pm | Show 7:30–9:30pm (incl. interval) 🎟 PWYC £6 / £8 / £10 (£5 concessions) — tickets via link in bio

💡 Open mic sign-ups open Sunday 25 May at 10am 10 performers selected in advance, 4 drawn on the night 
👉 Sign up via link in bio

✅ Wheelchair accessible ✅ Reserved open mic spaces for underrepresented voices ✅ Zero tolerance for hate or discrimination

19/05/2026

🔥 Harry Baker is coming to Bristol 🔥

We’re beyond excited to welcome World Poetry Slam Champion to Raise the Bar: UK Poetry All-Stars at this autumn.

A poet, performer and Sunday Times bestselling author, Harry’s work has connected with millions worldwide — from TED Talks and viral online performances to sold out tours across the UK, including the Royal Albert Hall. Funny, moving, uplifting and brilliantly crafted, his live performances are something truly special.

Fresh from the release of his new bestselling collection Tender, Harry headlines a huge night celebrating the very best in contemporary spoken word.

✨ Plus Ted Hughes Award winner Hollie McNish () and more acts to be announced! 🎧 Ngaio () on the decks 🎤 Hosted by Danny Carlo Pandolfi ()

The biggest poetry night of the year.

📅 Bristol Beacon ⏰ Sun 27 Sep 2026, 7pm start 🎟 Tickets via link in bio

18/05/2026

🎤 Full-Day Performance Retreat with Muneera Pilgrim & Chris Redmond 🎤

We’re incredibly excited to open applications for our Summer 2026 performance retreat at Curzon Clevedon — a full day dedicated to live performance, stage craft, confidence and creative risk-taking with two internationally celebrated artists and facilitators.

✨ Muneera Pilgrim () — international poet, cultural producer, broadcaster and TEDx speaker, co-founder of Poetic Pilgrimage and writer-in-residence at Bristol Old Vic. Her work spans poetry, journalism, broadcasting and community-building, with features across BBC, Sky Arts, Al Jazeera and more.

✨ Chris Redmond () — award-winning poet, performer and founder of Tongue Fu, the UK’s longest-running spoken word and music improv show. His work has featured on BBC Radio, CBBC, The Guardian and stages across more than 20 countries, collaborating with artists including Kae Tempest, Akala and Hollie McNish.

Designed for poets of all levels, this retreat is for writers and performers looking to refresh their relationship to live performance, strengthen stage presence and explore new ways of bringing poems to life in front of an audience.

Expect: 🎤 Performance and stagecraft workshops 🔥 Dynamic live exercises and creative prompts 🌱 Feedback, discussion and confidence-building 🎭 Opportunity to perform on the iconic Curzon stage with professional lighting and tech 🤝 A welcoming, supportive environment to connect with other writers and performers

Raise the Bar retreats are known for their warm, welcoming and family atmosphere — a space to experiment, grow in confidence and build genuine creative community.

📅 Saturday 20 June 2026 📍 Curzon Clevedon () ⏰ 10am–4pm 💛 Bursary spaces + travel bursary available

Places are limited and expected to fill quickly. Apply via link in bio.

Our retreats and artist development programme are supported by Arts Council England ().

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Bristol

Website

http://www.rtbspokenword.com/

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