Western Slope Get Down
"The event formerly known as Aspen"
July 4th - 8th
Paonia, CO
Registration for 2024 is LIVE HERE!
EVENT FB PAGE IS HERE
"The event formerly known as Aspen"
July 4th - 8th
Paonia, CO
Registration for 2024 is LIVE HERE!
EVENT FB PAGE IS HERE
an earthy, party, community, and arts-centered, fusion dance weekend in a small mountain community.
FB 2024 event page IS HERE
buy your tickets for 2024 here! Registration LIVE!
finalized event schedule
Thursday
2pm: Arrival and camp set up at Big-B's Orchard
dinner: 6:30pm at Big Bs
8:30pm -3:30am Welcome Dance at Elsewhere Studios!
Friday
10am Brunch at Big-B's Orchard
Skill Share Classes at Big Bs to follow
Afternoon Classes, @The Blue Sage in Downtown Paonia
3:00pm- 4:00pm dance workshop: Carter Nelson (from Portland OR)
4:30pm - 5:30 dance workshop: Justin Riley (From California)
6pm Dinner at Elsewhere Studios
Main Dance, Blue Sage
7:15pm - 8:30pm dance workshop: Laura Hutchinson (from Denver)
8:30 - Midnight: Party at Blue Sage
Late Night Dance, 12am - 4:30am Elsewhere Studios
Saturday
10:30am Brunch at Big-B's Orchard
Afternoon Skill Share Classes at Big Bs
6:30pm Dinner at Big Bs
8:30pm - 1am Saturday, Main Dance at The Hearth in downtown Paonia
1am - 5am Saturday Late Night: Party at Elsewhere Studios
Sunday
10:30am Brunch at Big-B's Orchard
Daytime Skill Shares at Big Bs
6:30pm Dinner: Big B's
Sunday Main Dance: Big B's Main Front Stage
Late Night Party at Elsewhere Studios
Monday morning breakfast is set out as a grab-and-go. Load-up, pack-up, clean-up and goodbye! see you next year or in California at Gold Country!
2pm: Arrival and camp set up at Big-B's Orchard
dinner: 6:30pm at Big Bs
8:30pm -3:30am Welcome Dance at Elsewhere Studios!
Friday
10am Brunch at Big-B's Orchard
Skill Share Classes at Big Bs to follow
Afternoon Classes, @The Blue Sage in Downtown Paonia
3:00pm- 4:00pm dance workshop: Carter Nelson (from Portland OR)
4:30pm - 5:30 dance workshop: Justin Riley (From California)
6pm Dinner at Elsewhere Studios
Main Dance, Blue Sage
7:15pm - 8:30pm dance workshop: Laura Hutchinson (from Denver)
8:30 - Midnight: Party at Blue Sage
Late Night Dance, 12am - 4:30am Elsewhere Studios
Saturday
10:30am Brunch at Big-B's Orchard
Afternoon Skill Share Classes at Big Bs
6:30pm Dinner at Big Bs
8:30pm - 1am Saturday, Main Dance at The Hearth in downtown Paonia
1am - 5am Saturday Late Night: Party at Elsewhere Studios
Sunday
10:30am Brunch at Big-B's Orchard
Daytime Skill Shares at Big Bs
6:30pm Dinner: Big B's
Sunday Main Dance: Big B's Main Front Stage
Late Night Party at Elsewhere Studios
Monday morning breakfast is set out as a grab-and-go. Load-up, pack-up, clean-up and goodbye! see you next year or in California at Gold Country!
Vision
Paonia, Colorado's Willow Mannon is teaming up once again with Justin Riley and Ely Fair to bring a throwback weekend in its 15th year of Aspen Recess! It is a homage to the early days of Fusion dancing, partying all night around town and cute magical outdoor parties. This is a direct continuation of Aspen Blues Recess, founded by Justin Riley in 2007, and was one of the true birthplace events of the contemporary Fusion Dance community and dancing.
This is an extended weekend event. Arrival starts at 4pm on Thursday with a pre-party Thursday night. There will be dancing late into the night all weekend long with workshops, special events, and dancing throughout the day. We'll kick you out Noon on Monday.
The event ticket includes camping at Big B's Apple Orchard in Paonia, CO. There will be dancing outdoors and Recess Unbound will provide all of its sound systems, kitchen, dance bus, lights, and foam dance mats for the event. Come prepared to dance on all sorts of surfaces. The event will provide meals for those who buy a food ticket, and we ask that everyone volunteer for one shift to help the event happen.
This is a camping, community-led dance event in the Colorado mountains. Do not expect to be taken care of and come prepared to participate, contribute and be aspirational.
Angel, the Recess bus will be driving from Nevada City, CA, out to Paonia, and is able to pick people up at the Salt Lake City airport if you would like a ride. Pricing and schedules are below in the Transport section.
This is an extended weekend event. Arrival starts at 4pm on Thursday with a pre-party Thursday night. There will be dancing late into the night all weekend long with workshops, special events, and dancing throughout the day. We'll kick you out Noon on Monday.
The event ticket includes camping at Big B's Apple Orchard in Paonia, CO. There will be dancing outdoors and Recess Unbound will provide all of its sound systems, kitchen, dance bus, lights, and foam dance mats for the event. Come prepared to dance on all sorts of surfaces. The event will provide meals for those who buy a food ticket, and we ask that everyone volunteer for one shift to help the event happen.
This is a camping, community-led dance event in the Colorado mountains. Do not expect to be taken care of and come prepared to participate, contribute and be aspirational.
Angel, the Recess bus will be driving from Nevada City, CA, out to Paonia, and is able to pick people up at the Salt Lake City airport if you would like a ride. Pricing and schedules are below in the Transport section.
Details
- Cost: Full event ticket pricing is a sliding scale, starting at $135 for low income tickets, food tickets are $55 for the duration of the event, as well as limited cabin and glamping site rental options on-site at Big B's Orchard are all available through the online registration form. AS A NEW POLICY TICKET TIERS WILL SELL OUT STARTING THIS YEAR
- Scholarship tickets: Scholarship Tickets are available. Go through the normal online registration to fill out our scholarship application for a discounted ticket.
- COVID PROTOCOL: There are currently no covid related requirements.
- Camping: A tent campsite at Big B's Orchard is included with event registration.
- Cabins/Glamping: SOLD OUT
- Rooms Available at Elsewhere Studios for rent: Text Willow (970) 201-1294 for room details. Rooms range between $80 and $120/night and are at the same location where the late night dances are. Expect music until late, but a room at the party!
- Dogs: well behaved dogs that are good being off-leash with people, children, and other dogs are welcome. Owners are 100% responsible for the behavior of their dogs.
Food
All food will be provided for all registrants that purchase a food ticket during registration ($55). All meals will be gluten free and have vegan options. During registration you will be asked for additional food restrictions and we will do the best to accommodate you. We suggest that the more food restrictions you have, the more "backup" personal food you bring. Cuz, why not be the one taking responsibility?
In The Know
more info on the following coming soon
What is the camping space like?:
We will be camping in an apple orchard with plenty of shade and space. You will be able to drive to your camp site and enjoy flush toilets, an outdoor kitchen, a beautiful pond for swimming, and showers that are paid for with quarters. Bring quarters!
Weather to expect
Expect sunny and hot days, and cool and dry nights.
Driving, Bus Rides, Designated Driver's planning
Our late night venues will always be off site of where we are camping. Plan ahead with your rides and plan a designated driver. We will also shuttle people to the party at the start and afterwards with Angel the Recess Unbound Bus.
Daytime Skill Shares
After Brunch there is space for community skill shares to be offered. Offerings range from sponsored adventures in the area to workshops and classes. Sign up on the Skillshare board and announce them during breakfast announcements.
Being plugged in by being present at meal time announcements
These events run and operate through the fact that we gather and eat together. At the end of each meal we will have short announcements to plug everyone into the happenings of the day. Be present for meals, or prepare to feel a little "out of the loop."
We will be camping in an apple orchard with plenty of shade and space. You will be able to drive to your camp site and enjoy flush toilets, an outdoor kitchen, a beautiful pond for swimming, and showers that are paid for with quarters. Bring quarters!
Weather to expect
Expect sunny and hot days, and cool and dry nights.
Driving, Bus Rides, Designated Driver's planning
Our late night venues will always be off site of where we are camping. Plan ahead with your rides and plan a designated driver. We will also shuttle people to the party at the start and afterwards with Angel the Recess Unbound Bus.
Daytime Skill Shares
After Brunch there is space for community skill shares to be offered. Offerings range from sponsored adventures in the area to workshops and classes. Sign up on the Skillshare board and announce them during breakfast announcements.
Being plugged in by being present at meal time announcements
These events run and operate through the fact that we gather and eat together. At the end of each meal we will have short announcements to plug everyone into the happenings of the day. Be present for meals, or prepare to feel a little "out of the loop."
Transport To & From other places and other dance events
Shared rental cars from Salt Lake City, UT, or Las Vegas, NV, for those flying in. Also post on the FB event page to coordinate ride-share opportunities.
Angel the Bus will also be coming from the Green River Float Trip as well as going to Gold Country Fusion in Nevada City, CA, following the event. Angel Bus Ride spots are for sale during online checkout.
Angel the Bus will also be coming from the Green River Float Trip as well as going to Gold Country Fusion in Nevada City, CA, following the event. Angel Bus Ride spots are for sale during online checkout.
- Nevada City, CA: Tuesday, June 25th, 2pm. - going to Green River Fusion ($55)
- Salt Lake City, Airport: Wednesday, June 26th, 2pm. - going to Green River Fusion ($35)
- Ruby Ranch Put-in: Tuesday, July 2nd, 11am. - going to Paonia, CO, for Western Slope Getdown ($35)
- Paonia, CO, Western Slope Getdown: Monday, July 8th, 4pm - going to Gold Country Fusion and Trixie Little's Cabaret Camp, Nevada City, CA. ($55) Arriving in Nevada City by Wednesday night, July 10th.
- Housing available in Nevada City, CA, at event venue if you are staying for Gold Country Fusion.
Community Guideline
Recess Unbound events are by design aspirational and challenging
We have a high expectation for everyone to be responsible for themselves and the people they care about in the space. If you need support, turn to your friends and the people around you.
The event will have a loose structure to help you access support networks and resources.
If you think you might have higher needs at this event, we suggest you find an event buddy or anchor person to attend and provide physical, social and emotional support during the event.
We encourage you to choose an anchor person for yourselves in every community space – it’s always a good idea!
Every event will have an accessibility statement in the website description that will detail the physical limitations of the space. If you have specific questions, reach out to Justin Riley.
We acknowledge that our events are not accessible to all bodies.
We have a high expectation for everyone to be responsible for themselves and the people they care about in the space. If you need support, turn to your friends and the people around you.
The event will have a loose structure to help you access support networks and resources.
If you think you might have higher needs at this event, we suggest you find an event buddy or anchor person to attend and provide physical, social and emotional support during the event.
We encourage you to choose an anchor person for yourselves in every community space – it’s always a good idea!
Every event will have an accessibility statement in the website description that will detail the physical limitations of the space. If you have specific questions, reach out to Justin Riley.
We acknowledge that our events are not accessible to all bodies.
Refund Policy
Refunds will be available for a $50 administrative fee up until the Thursday, one week before, the event. Tickets can be transferred to a different name at no cost. To transfer a ticket, you only need to arrive at on-site registration with an email sent from the original ticket buyer stating that the their ticket has been transferred to the new name.
Accessibility Statement
This event has a medium to low requirement for self responsibility, self care, and physical ability. If you are camping, basic familiarity with camping skills are necessary such as setting-up and striking your personal tent. On Site Glamping and Cabin spaces as well as local AirBnb and Hotel Options are available otherwise. Some event sponsored party spaces may require short hikes by headlamp. There is no Verizon cell service in Paonia, other cell providers seem to work well. Power hook ups, running water, flush toilets and shower rooms are available at the camping space. This event requires the ability to say "yes" to the unexpected. As well as the ability to take self responsibility for one's well being and actions.
More Info
This More Info linked page has the following information.
- Ticket Pricing Structure
- Refund Policy
- Ticket Transfers
- Volunteerism
- Community Guidelines
- About Recess Unbound
- Skillshares!
- Daily Meal Times:
- Using The Event FB Page to connect
- Photography at these events
- The History of Recess can be found here.