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.

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 ().

17/05/2026

Final call for applications 🔥

The amazing Danny Carlo Pandolfi, Director of Raise the Bar, sharing everything you need to know about our 2026 Writing Retreats, across writing, performance, and artist development for poets at all stages.

Here’s the full programme:

📝 Full-Day Performance Retreat (All Levels)
With facilitators Muneera Pilgrim () and Chris Redmond ()
Saturday 20 June 2026 — Curzon Clevedon

📝 Full-Day Writing Retreat (Post-Emerging Poets)
With facilitators Jasmine Gardosi () and Vanessa Kisuule
Saturday 27 June 2026 — The Community Farm

📝 Full-Day Writing Retreat (Emerging+ / All Levels)
With facilitators Deanna Rodger () and Adam Kammerling ()
Saturday 19 September 2026 — The Community Farm

📝 Weekend Writing Retreat (Emerging+ / All Levels)
With facilitators Salena Godden (.godden) and Safiya Kamaria ()
6–8 November 2026 — Barley Wood House

📝 Weekend Writing Retreat (Post-Emerging)
With facilitators Pascale Petit () and Cecilia Knapp ()
13–15 November 2026 — Barley Wood House

Applications at link in bio!

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

15/05/2026

🔥 Raise the Bar returns this Tuesday with two brilliant feature acts 🔥

✨ Tia-Zakura () — Cardiff-based spoken word artist known for her distinctive “flowetry” style, blending rhythm, wordplay and musicality. Fresh from placing 2nd in the final of the UK’s biggest poetry slam at the Roundhouse.

✨ Kate Noakes — acclaimed Bristol poet and author of ten poetry books, returning with work from her brand new collection Sublime Lungs, published this year by Two Rivers Press.

Plus open mic performers, community, drinks and another powerful night of live poetry at .

📅 Tuesday 19 May 2026 📍 The Orchard Coffee & Co, Bristol ⏰ Doors 7pm | Show 7:30pm 🎟 Tickets via link in bio

13/05/2026

🌿 Full-Day Writing Retreat with Jasmine Gardosi & Vanessa Kisuule 🌿

We’re incredibly excited to open applications for our Summer 2026 post-emerging writing retreat at Chew Valley Community Farm — a full day of poetry, conversation, community and creative development with two of the UK’s most celebrated spoken word artists.

✨ Jasmine Gardosi — former Birmingham Poet Laureate, award-winning poet, beatboxer and performer whose work has appeared everywhere from Tate Modern to Button Poetry, BBC and Glastonbury.

✨ Vanessa Kisuule — writer, performer and former Bristol City Poet, author of Neverland and one of the most influential voices in UK poetry today.

Designed for post-emerging / mid-career poets, this retreat is for writers looking to deepen their craft, generate new work and develop their professional practice alongside other ambitious poets from across the South West.

Expect: ✍️ Advanced writing workshops 🌱 Career and creative development conversations 🎤 Q&A sessions with both facilitators 🥗 Full vegan lunch + snacks included 🌳 Time to write, reflect and connect in a beautiful countryside setting

Raise the Bar retreats are known for their warm, welcoming and supportive atmosphere — a space to challenge yourself creatively while building genuine community with other writers.

📅 Saturday 27 June 2026 📍 Chew Valley Community Farm, Bristol ⏰ 10am–4pm 🎟 £60 💛 bursary spaces available 📝 Applications close Sunday 31 May at 9pm

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

09/05/2026

🔥 Announcing our 2026 Writing Retreats! 🔥

Raise the Bar’s writing retreats are an opportunity to refresh, meet other creatives, create new work, enjoy world-class tutoring and learn key career skills to take your practice to the next level.

✅ Aimed at poets in South West England (other writers can still apply and join the waiting list)

✅ Courses specifically for all levels, emerging+ and post-emerging poets

✅ Affordable prices, with bursary spaces (and travel bursaries) available

✅ Full vegan catering included (+ accommodation for weekend retreats)

✅ Priority spaces held for writers of marginalised identities

✅ Beautiful countryside locations of and

✅ Premium venue for our newly introduced Performance Retreat

✅ Friendly, family atmosphere, with full ongoing support of the RTB team

⚠️ Applications CLOSE at 9pm on Sunday 31st May. Link in bio.

Our retreats and artist development activities are supported from .

08/05/2026

🌍 Raise the Bar: Poems of Diaspora 🌍

What a night. Thank you to everybody who came through to and helped make this such a special evening. The energy in the room was incredible from start to finish, and the stories shared on stage will stay with us for a long time.

Huge love to our phenomenal feature acts:�✨ .nagra1234�✨ �✨ .tenesha

And thank you to the surprise open mic performer who brought their voice and brilliance to the stage.

Big up to and everyone involved in DIASPORA! 2026 ❤️

More soon!

Address

Bristol

Website

http://www.rtbspokenword.com/

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