OBI Launches Inclusive Nightclub, THE FUSE, For All To Enjoy

A DJ mixing beats, packed dance floors, live bands, glow sticks, food and drink – THE FUSE may sound like a typical nightclub, but the new entertainment hub in Millersville is something distinctively special.

THE FUSE is an inclusive nightclub experience hosted on the first Saturday of each month by OBI, or Opportunity Builders Inc., where individuals with disabilities and those without can come together for a great time in a safe and thoughtfully curated environment.

OBI’s mission is “to support youth and adults with disabilities to experience full inclusion in their communities as they learn, work and pursue their paths to personal success.” The Millersville-based nonprofit carries out this mission by engaging individuals in new opportunities spanning sailing for the first time, to learning how to care for themselves, to obtaining employment – all toward the common goal of increased independence.

Marsha Legg, CEO of OBI, explained that THE FUSE was born out of a vision she had long held, stemming from her previous work with The League for People with Disabilities in Baltimore. A decade ago, The League launched a nightclub solely for people with disabilities, recognizing that those individuals did not have a lot of options when it came to nightlife entertainment. The program, Legg said, is “wildly successful to this day.”

She shared of THE FUSE, “My vision involved building something that was for everyone and would be inclusive of those without disabilities and attractive to those without disabilities while also accommodating those who do have disabilities, but providing that real integration – which we call a fusion – of people, and that’s where our name came from as THE FUSE.”

On April 5, 350 individuals fused together to have a great time at the first monthly nightclub gathering. The club is for anyone age 21 and over, as it offers a bar, and patrons can look forward to enjoying fare from two food trucks every month. The OBI venue is wheelchair accessible, and the events are earlier in the evening, running from 6:00pm-10:00pm.

Dozens of volunteers, specially trained staff, a security team, a registered nurse and a behavior specialist made the night possible. Legg said the latter two professionals will be on hand monthly at THE FUSE to make the event accessible and safe for people with disabilities or health conditions that might otherwise be a barrier for them to go to crowded places.

Fortunately, there wasn’t a great demand for either on the first night.

“Our nurse had very little work to do opening night – we had two people that she tended to,” Legg recalled of the April event. “They both – and I quote – ‘danced too hard.’”

The behavior specialist was present for anyone who might need help with navigating the crowd or with self-regulating behaviors. The biggest job they had opening night was helping a parent with a young man who did not want to leave, Legg said, highlighting the event’s popularity.

For attendees who need a break from the crowd or loud music, THE FUSE offers a sensory lounge where they can enjoy a more relaxed vibe in an interactive space that includes bubble tubes, LED lights, an aromatherapy machine and more.

“Opening night was received better than I could have imagined in my wildest dreams,” Legg said, sharing that many described the night as “electric” and that there was a palpable sense of unity.

Attendees shared in Google reviews and Facebook comments how much they enjoyed THE FUSE, with one individual stating that the night “showcased how much we are alike and just wanna have a good time with our friends, while meeting new people … THE FUSE not only (offered) that experience but a great deal more.”

The April event sold out, and tickets are selling quickly for THE FUSE in May. They are $10 in advance, or $15 at the door, and checking availability in advance is strongly encouraged.

The performance lineup for May through July is set, with Pasadena-based father-son trio band Mach 3 and DJ Dru Dearney playing May 3; local band Oracle and DJ DiGilio slated for June 7; and another local band, Side Hustle, and DJ Mad Max set to bring the vibes on July 5.

To learn more about Millersville’s newest nightclub, discover opportunities to volunteer at THE FUSE, or purchase tickets for an upcoming event, go to www.obiworks.org/the-fuse.