Unbound: Western Slopes Fusion Festival
July 9th - 13th
Paonia, CO or Carbondale, CO
Registration for 2026 will open in January!
July 9th - 13th
Paonia, CO or Carbondale, CO
Registration for 2026 will open in January!
An earthy, party, community, and arts-centered, fusion dance weekend in a small mountain community.
FB 2026 event page IS HERE
buy your tickets for 2026 here! Registration LIVE!
Vision
Unbound is once again bringing a throwback weekend in its 18th 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 birthplaces of the contemporary Fusion Dance community and dance.
This is an extended weekend event. Arrival starts at 4 pm on Thursday, with a pre-party scheduled for that evening. There will be dancing all weekend long, late into the night, with workshops, special events, and dancing throughout the day. We'll kick you out at 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 4 pm on Thursday, with a pre-party scheduled for that evening. There will be dancing all weekend long, late into the night, with workshops, special events, and dancing throughout the day. We'll kick you out at 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.
2025 event schedule
2026 coming soon!
Thursday
2pm: Arrival and camp set up at Old Moon Tipi Haven: 37601 CO-133, Hotchkiss, CO 81419
dinner at Old Moon Tipi Haven: 6:30 pm
9:30 pm -2:30 am Welcome Dance at TBA
Friday
10 am Brunch at Old Moon Tipi Haven
Afternoon Classes at The Blue Sage Center For The Arts
1:15 pm- 2:15 pm: Rachel Leigh Farley: Gooey Pathways to Fusion Dance
2:30 pm - 3:30 Justin's Class: A History of Fusion Dance Connection
6 pm to 7 pm: Main Street Dance. Harvest Fest in Downtown Paonia!
7 pm: Dinner in the back patio of The Blue Sage
Main Dance: Blue Sage Center For The Arts
8 to 9 pm - 8:30pm: Dance Workshop: David Accurso: Fusion Dance
9pm - 1am: Main Dance
1:30am - 4am Late Night Dance at TBA
Saturday
10:30am Brunch
Skill Share Classes at Old Moon Tipi Haven
6:30pm Picnic Dinner at Paonia Town Park Music!!
10:30pm - 4:30am Saturday, Dance at The Hearth TLC Kitchen, 138 Grand Ave, Paonia
Sunday
11am Brunch at Old Moon Tipi Haven
Daytime Skill Shares at Old Moon Tipi Haven
6:30pm Dinner at Old Moon Tipi Haven
8pm - 11pm Main Dance at Old Moon Tipi Haven
11:30pm - 4am Late Night Party at the Farmhouse at Rain Crow Farms!!
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 Old Moon Tipi Haven: 37601 CO-133, Hotchkiss, CO 81419
dinner at Old Moon Tipi Haven: 6:30 pm
9:30 pm -2:30 am Welcome Dance at TBA
Friday
10 am Brunch at Old Moon Tipi Haven
Afternoon Classes at The Blue Sage Center For The Arts
1:15 pm- 2:15 pm: Rachel Leigh Farley: Gooey Pathways to Fusion Dance
2:30 pm - 3:30 Justin's Class: A History of Fusion Dance Connection
6 pm to 7 pm: Main Street Dance. Harvest Fest in Downtown Paonia!
7 pm: Dinner in the back patio of The Blue Sage
Main Dance: Blue Sage Center For The Arts
8 to 9 pm - 8:30pm: Dance Workshop: David Accurso: Fusion Dance
9pm - 1am: Main Dance
1:30am - 4am Late Night Dance at TBA
Saturday
10:30am Brunch
Skill Share Classes at Old Moon Tipi Haven
6:30pm Picnic Dinner at Paonia Town Park Music!!
10:30pm - 4:30am Saturday, Dance at The Hearth TLC Kitchen, 138 Grand Ave, Paonia
Sunday
11am Brunch at Old Moon Tipi Haven
Daytime Skill Shares at Old Moon Tipi Haven
6:30pm Dinner at Old Moon Tipi Haven
8pm - 11pm Main Dance at Old Moon Tipi Haven
11:30pm - 4am Late Night Party at the Farmhouse at Rain Crow Farms!!
Monday morning breakfast is set out as a grab-and-go. Load-up, pack-up, clean-up, and goodbye!
Details
- Cost: Full event ticket pricing is a sliding scale, starting at $155 for low-income tickets. Food tickets are $75 for the duration of the event, and limited cabin and glamping site rental options are available through the online registration form. TICKET TIERS WILL SELL OUT.
- 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 and Event Main Location: A tent campsite is included with event registration. Location TBA.
- Cabins/Glamping: TBA: Camping and other lodging options will be announced along with more specific venue details soon!
- Dogs: Well-behaved dogs that are good at 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 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. Cuz, why not be the one taking responsibility?
In The Know
What is the camping space like?:
TBA
Weather to expect
Expect sunny and warm days, and cooler but pleasant nights. Bring warm dance clothes!
Driving, Bus Rides, Designated Drivers' 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."
The Event's Hot-Mess WhatsApp thread
Get connected to the Hot Mess thread and post anything and everything (link provided after registration!). Fun side-adventures to swim, questions about real things, questions about stupid things, missed connections, all the stuff!
TBA
Weather to expect
Expect sunny and warm days, and cooler but pleasant nights. Bring warm dance clothes!
Driving, Bus Rides, Designated Drivers' 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."
The Event's Hot-Mess WhatsApp thread
Get connected to the Hot Mess thread and post anything and everything (link provided after registration!). Fun side-adventures to swim, questions about real things, questions about stupid things, missed connections, all the stuff!
2026 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 traveling from Gold Country Fusion in Nevada City, CA, to the event and offering rides. Below are the gas contributions amounts we ask for each leg of the trip.
Angel the Bus will be traveling from Gold Country Fusion in Nevada City, CA, to the event and offering rides. Below are the gas contributions amounts we ask for each leg of the trip.
- Nevada City, CA: Tuesday, July 7th, 2pm. - going to Paonia, CO, for Western Slope Getdown ($55)
- Salt Lake City, Airport: Wednesday, July 8th, 2pm. - going to Western Slope Getdown ($35)
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.