Thirteen years ago, we had no idea what RISE would become.
Since then, we’ve shared many stories, stood in front of many students, traveled many Wisconsin roads, learned a few hard lessons, and met thousands of people who helped shape this work along the way.
So when it came time to celebrate year 13, we decided to do what we do best: Bring people together.
This year, we get to celebrate our organization’s anniversary on RISE TOGETHER Day—September 12—at Gibson Community Music Hall in downtown Appleton.
And if you’re still wondering whether you should come, here are 13 reasons why the answer is probably yes.
1. ONYX is coming to Appleton.
Let’s just start there.
Hip-hop legends ONYX are headlining Lucky 13.
In a room the size of Gibson.
Yeah. We know. Check out the stripped-down set HERE that inspired us to reach out.
2. And we’re keeping Wisconsin on the stage.
Keag Dittel and his crew are joining the lineup with live music, and Keziah Love will open the night with spoken word.
Music and storytelling have always brought people together. This night is no different.
3. This isn’t a ballroom fundraiser.
No plated chicken. No keynote while you’re trying to eat dessert. No pretending you understand what’s happening during a live auction.
Come as you are. Listen to music. Eat some food. See some people you love. Celebrate something good.
4. Thirteen years is kind of a big deal.
RISE didn’t appear overnight.
We built this work one school, one community, one conversation, and one connection at a time.
Lucky 13 gives us one night to actually stop long enough to look around and say, “Holy shit. We did that.“
And then keep going.
5. You can bid on some REALLY good stuff.
We launched RISE + GIVE, our online Lucky 13 auction, and our community showed up.
Jewelry. Concert tickets. Family experiences. Comedy. Shopping. Exclusive RISE gear. A ridiculously nice sleep upgrade.
And we’re still adding more.
You don’t even have to wait until September 12 to start bidding.
6. There’s merch. Obviously.
We created a limited Lucky 13 ‘Your Story Matters‘ collection for year 13.
Because if you’ve followed RISE for any length of time, you know those three words aren’t just something we put on a shirt.
They’re the whole point.
7. $50 gets you VIP, baby!
Preferred seating. Prepaid ramp parking. Drink ticket. Lucky 13 swag.
For just fifty bucks.
We feel pretty good about this one.
8. You should probably make a night of it.
Lucky 13 is happening right in downtown Appleton.
Grab dinner. Come to Gibson. Stay out afterward.
Call the babysitter now. We’re giving you notice.
9. Half the fun is who’s going to be in the room.
If last year taught us anything, it’s that our annual celebration has quietly become a bit of a RISE reunion.
Former students. Educators. Community partners. Friends. Families. People who remember the earliest days. People who just found us.
That’s the room we want.
10. We’re still adding a few surprises.
We can’t tell you everything before you get there.
But Alex Schotten from Lifted Poets Society will be joining us. We’re kicking off something new, and we’re intentionally saving a few moments for the night.
Consider that your teaser. 👀
11. Your $40 ticket is worth more than the price of admission.
Lucky 13 is fun. But it exists for a reason.
This is RISE TOGETHER’s annual fundraiser, which means the money raised helps us keep showing up—in schools, at RISE Hangouts, alongside educators and trusted adults, and in communities across Wisconsin.
The concert lasts four hours. The work doesn’t.
And we’re not doing it alone.
Lucky 13 is possible because local businesses and community partners continue to invest in RISE—not just in one night, but in the work that happens long after it.
A huge thank you to our Lucky 13 sponsors, including Superior Mineral Water, THZ Insurance, Faith Technologies, ThedaCare, Amcor, Festival Foods, Rogers Behavioral Health, and all of the businesses donating to RISE + GIVE and helping us bring this celebration to life.
When our community invests in young people, everybody wins.
12. We’re not celebrating the end of something.
We’re celebrating 13 years in.
RISE has changed a lot since the beginning because we’ve listened, learned, researched, adapted, and continued building alongside the communities we serve. But there’s more ahead.
And we’d really like the people who helped get us here to be part of where we’re going.
13. Because Your Story Matters.
That’s it.
That’s been the thread through all 13 years.
The student who finally raises their hand.
The person who shares something they’ve carried alone.
The teacher who learns how to respond differently.
The person with lived experience who realizes that what they’ve been through might help somebody else.
Stories connect us. People change us. Community keeps us going.
And for one night, we’d really like to get as much of that community into one room as possible. So yeah. You should probably be at Lucky 13.
Saturday, September 12 | 5–9 PM
Gibson Community Music Hall | Downtown Appleton
GA $40 | VIP $50
Come celebrate 13 years of RISE TOGETHER.
GET TICKETS → HERE
BID IN RISE + GIVE → https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/rise-give-lucky-13-auction
Lucky 13 is made possible with support from:
