Unbound: Gold Country Fusion Festival 2026
A private, big-banger, workshop-filled fusion dance weekend!
July 2nd - 5th, Grass Valley, California
!!REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!
**rideshare board 2026**
A private, big-banger, workshop-filled fusion dance weekend!
July 2nd - 5th, Grass Valley, California
!!REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!
**rideshare board 2026**
Vision
Gold Country Fusion is etched from the deep belief that celebration is art: packed parties that never end, great lighting in inspiring spaces, spacious days for local adventures, the right people in the right mood, relaxing on the breathtaking Yuba River, good, easy-going vibes with hedonistic and wild all-nighters. We will have several very special events, specially curated dance workshops from world-renowned instructors, and community skillshares during the day.
An event ticket includes a camping spot on site for the entire event. Three meals a day meal plans served at the main event venue are available for an extra $75. Like always, parking will be tight, and there will be a shit-ton of magic.
This is a private, open event. Please share with your friends and community members who you know will love and appreciate this one-of-a-kind event.
An event ticket includes a camping spot on site for the entire event. Three meals a day meal plans served at the main event venue are available for an extra $75. Like always, parking will be tight, and there will be a shit-ton of magic.
This is a private, open event. Please share with your friends and community members who you know will love and appreciate this one-of-a-kind event.
Event schedule
Thursday: 2 pm: general gate arrival, camp setup, venue setup at the main venue.
7:30 pm: dinner
9 pm - 4 am: Welcoming Party
Friday/Saturday/Sunday Event Schedule: TBA
Monday, 11 am breakfast
2 pm, thanks for all the good times, it's time to head home!
7:30 pm: dinner
9 pm - 4 am: Welcoming Party
Friday/Saturday/Sunday Event Schedule: TBA
Monday, 11 am breakfast
2 pm, thanks for all the good times, it's time to head home!
Prices
Low Income Ticket SOLD OUT $230
General Admission Ticket $270
Mid-Income Ticket $325
Community Supporter / Upper Income Ticket $370
Food Ticket: $75 meals for your entire time at the event
Parking Pass: $50 (all vehicles parked at the venue must have one!)
**Can't Afford A Low-Income Ticket? Submit a scholarship form during registration.**
General Admission Ticket $270
Mid-Income Ticket $325
Community Supporter / Upper Income Ticket $370
Food Ticket: $75 meals for your entire time at the event
Parking Pass: $50 (all vehicles parked at the venue must have one!)
**Can't Afford A Low-Income Ticket? Submit a scholarship form during registration.**
Our biggest event of the year!
the most dancers, the most classes, the latest parties!
all in a beautiful mountain setting
REGISTRATION Opens on JaNUARY 21st!
Registration and costs
TICKET TIERS WILL SELL OUT
- Cost: Full event ticket pricing is a sliding scale, starting at $230 and includes all workshops, parties, and on-site camping. Food tickets are $75 for three meals per day, Thursday dinner through Monday breakfast. This year car passes are required by the venue at $50/car. Scholarship Tickets are available and limited and can be accessed through the online registration form.
- Low Income: $230 (limited number, will sell out)
Mid Income Ticket: $270 (limited number, will sell out)
General Admission: $325
Community Supporters Ticket: $370
Food Ticket: 2 meals/day: Thursday dinner - Monday breakfast $75, plus late-night snacks
- Scholarship tickets: Scholarship Tickets are available. Go through the online registration to fill out our scholarship application.
- Three meals a day will be provided for all registrants who purchase a food ticket during registration ($75). All meals will be gluten-free and have vegan options. During registration, you will be asked for additional food restrictions, and we will do our best to accommodate you. We suggest that the more food restrictions you have, the more "backup" personal food you bring.
- Parking Passes: Due to limited space, the venue now requires parking passes for all vehicles staying on-site for the weekend. To help offset this, we’ve lowered ticket prices and will offer parking passes during registration. Please carpool whenever possible—or if you’re driving, fill the car and split the cost with friends. A rideshare document and WhatsApp “Hot Mess” thread will be posted early to help coordinate rides.
- You're on our Guest List: Upon registering, you will receive an email confirmation including all of your ticket purchases: Event Ticket, Food, Reserved Campsite, etc. We will have your name and all of your purchased tickets on our guest list.
- Volunteerism: We ask that all attendees work at least one volunteer shift during most events; some events require more from attendees. If you are on a Scholarship ticket, we may ask for a second volunteer shift as needed. Shifts may include set up, break down, kitchen, event registration, sound, building an enchanted ambience for dances, and being a clown playing the violin. All the necessary parts of a dance village.
Housing
- Camping is included with the event ticket. Please let us know if you plan to stay elsewhere. We hope this change will help the event feel more like a residential event where we are all staying together for the weekend!
- Housing with a local dancer is available. Please contact our housing coordinator, Nancy Shanteau, at [email protected]
- Additionally, there are many AirBnbs and Bed and Breakfasts in the Nevada City and Grass Valley area.
our new referral program
I see you. You’ve been bringing your people, spreading the word, and making these events what they are. Now, I want to thank you for it.
If you bring someone who has never attended a "Justin Riley event," you’ll receive a $35 referral bonus. Here’s how it works:
- When they register online, they’ll have a space to enter your name as their referrer.
- After the event, you’ll get your $35 back as a ticket refund or credit for a future event—your choice.
- The only exception? If they’re attending through our Scholarship Ticket program, the bonus doesn’t apply (but still, props to you for bringing more good humans into this space).
In The Know
- Heath Policy: There are currently no COVID or other health-related requirements.
- Phone/Wifi Service: There is no phone service at the main venue. The wifi password is “hammertime.” Use it as you need, put wifi calling on your phone for the weekend. know that we are all using the wifi, so no big downloads or streaming, please.
- Cups: Bring your own.
- Amenities: The main venue has a communal kitchen and shower for anyone to use throughout the event, whether you are eating provided meals or not.
- The Yuba River is spectacular and close. Make sure to plan daytime river time.
- Dance Surfaces: We will be on polished concrete, hardwood floors, and rigid foam dance mats. Bring dance shoes to fit all the bills!
- Carpooling: Parking is tight at the main venue. Please carpool as much as possible. There are other tenants at the main venue. Please make sure you don't park in "Tenant Only" Parking spaces.
- Rideshare: People are looking for rides here
- What Else To Pack: swimsuits, sunscreen, and towels for public swimming at the Yuba River. Camping stuff if you're camping on site. Clothes for hot days and cool nights. We often have poison oak out here, know what it looks like. Snacks, drinks, substances you may want or need. Also, great food co-ops, grocery stores, and restaurants are all nearby.
- Announcements: Important event announcements will be made each day before the first class at the main venue (11 am), as well as during dinner (7:30 pm). If you are not present during announcements, we will post all pertinent information in a post on the event WhatsApp thread. Stay plugged in, and you will not miss the magic.
- Dogs: Well-behaved dogs that are comfortable off-leash with people, children, and other dogs are welcome. Owners are 100% responsible for the behavior of their dogs. Multiple dogs are living on the main event space property.
- Refunds: Refunds will be available for a $50 administrative fee up until 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 their ticket has been transferred to the new name.
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 on 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 and abilities.
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 is necessary, such as setting up and striking your personal tent. In-town housing options are also available and a short drive from the main venue. Some event-sponsored party spaces may require short hikes by headlamp. There will be no cell service, but fast wifi at the main camping, workshop, and late-night venue. Power hookups, running water, flush toilets, and showers 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 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.