Paonia Unbound Fusion
This year in coordination with the Paonia Harvest Festival!!
Come celebrate the harvest, the dance, the muse!
September 25th - 28th!
Paonia, CO
Registration for 2025 is LIVE HERE!
EVENT FB PAGE IS HERE
This year in coordination with the Paonia Harvest Festival!!
Come celebrate the harvest, the dance, the muse!
September 25th - 28th!
Paonia, CO
Registration for 2025 is LIVE HERE!
EVENT FB PAGE IS HERE
an earthy, party, community, and arts-centered, fusion dance weekend in a small mountain community. and this year during the paonia harvest festival!
FB 2025 event page IS HERE
buy your tickets for 2025 here! Registration LIVE!
Vision
Paonia, Colorado's Willow Windgood is teaming up once again with Justin Riley to bring a throwback weekend in its 17th 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. in 2025 we are very excited to have the event coordinated with the Paonia Harvest Festival! This means lots of bands and festivities all around town to Fusion Bomb and enjoy throughout the weekend!
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. 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. 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 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 is included with event registration.
- Cabins/Glamping: TBA
- Rooms Available at Elsewhere Studios for rent: TBA
- 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.
event schedule
more details tba
Thursday
2pm: Arrival and camp set up at in Paonia, CO. Venue TBA
dinner: 6:30pm
8:30pm -3:30am Welcome Dance
Friday
10am Brunch
Skill Share Classes
Afternoon Classes
3:00pm- 4:00pm dance workshop
4:30pm - 5:30 dance workshop
6pm Dinner
Main Dance: Location TBA
7:15pm - 8:30pm dance workshop
8:30 - Midnight: Party
Late Night Dance, 12am - 4:30am
Saturday
10:30am Brunch
Afternoon Skill Share Classes
6:30pm Dinner
8:30pm - 1am Saturday, Main Dance
1am - 5am Saturday Late Night
Sunday
10:30am Brunch
Daytime Skill Shares
6:30pm Dinner
Sunday Main Dance
Late Night Party
Monday morning breakfast is set out as a grab-and-go. Load-up, pack-up, clean-up and goodbye!
2pm: Arrival and camp set up at in Paonia, CO. Venue TBA
dinner: 6:30pm
8:30pm -3:30am Welcome Dance
Friday
10am Brunch
Skill Share Classes
Afternoon Classes
3:00pm- 4:00pm dance workshop
4:30pm - 5:30 dance workshop
6pm Dinner
Main Dance: Location TBA
7:15pm - 8:30pm dance workshop
8:30 - Midnight: Party
Late Night Dance, 12am - 4:30am
Saturday
10:30am Brunch
Afternoon Skill Share Classes
6:30pm Dinner
8:30pm - 1am Saturday, Main Dance
1am - 5am Saturday Late Night
Sunday
10:30am Brunch
Daytime Skill Shares
6:30pm Dinner
Sunday Main Dance
Late Night Party
Monday morning breakfast is set out as a grab-and-go. Load-up, pack-up, clean-up and goodbye!
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 warm days, and cool to cold nights. Bring warm dance clothes!
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 warm days, and cool to cold nights. Bring warm dance clothes!
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
Post on the FB event page to coordinate ride-share opportunities.
Angel the Bus will be going to the Green River Float Trip Nevada City, CA, following the event. Angel Bus Ride spots are for sale during online checkout.
Angel the Bus will be going to the Green River Float Trip 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.