I’m a recent Colorado transplant, like most of us that now call this place home. Austin’s close-knit music community wasn’t easy to leave, and I have been craving a recreation of that kind of connection since I got here. Therefore, I was really excited to discover that ARISE Festival is taking place in just a few weeks August 7-9, shortly after my move.
ARISE Festival appears to be everything I’ve been searching for since I got here: a close-knit community with a plethora of good music and just as much yoga. In fact, ARISE has a reputation for priding itself on being more than just a music festival, but a movement.
These are the reasons why I’m excited to call this place my first official festival in Colorado as a local.
The music lineup is what initially drew me in. I saw a flyer for the festival one of the times I was visiting, before I took the plunge and moved. Emancipator Ensemble and The Polish Ambassador get me every time, and I’m always excited to see both. Also, Rising Appalachia is on the lineup, and I have wanted to see those lovely ladies and their organic folk music live for years now! The eclectic lineup is more on the chill side and not so “EDMy” – it’s also loaded with plenty of local talent.
While the music side is crave-worthy, what truly made me determine that ARISE was one I could not miss was the festival’s extensive yoga lineup. The last thing I did before moving away from Austin was get my yoga instructor certificate, and I have been actively seeking out a yoga community here in Colorado.
To my sheer delight, there are already 22 yoga instructors with unique class themes scheduled for this year’s festival, and even more dedicated leaders in the yoga community have yet to be announced. ARISE’s diverse yoga offerings demonstrate just how far-reaching asana practice has evolved; class themes include playful vinyasa flow classes, authentic Kundalini classes and heart chakra opening classes.
Additionally, the festival offers a whole slew of educational workshops: from belly dance to healing foods and everything in between. The festival will also host a Permaculture action day with The Polish Ambassador, and a three-day permaculture design intensive during the days before the festival.
ARISE Festival is genuinely comprised of intentional action and I couldn’t be more excited to experience the growth that the annual event holds space for in a few weeks.
