This weekend retreat at Omega Institute, our first-ever long-form excursion, will begin on Friday night with a performance from 7038634357, aka Neo Gibson, an artist whose 2023 album, Neo Seven, has been hailed as a masterpiece of modern electronic and ambient music. In the words of Pitchfork, Neo “makes music that feels simple on the surface—wistfully nostalgic, with imagistic titles and childlike themes—yet harbors more ambiguous emotions in its hidden depths.”

On Saturday morning, we start the day in conversation with Dimitri Mugianis, who speaks on the binding, healing powers of music, creativity, community, and care.

We reconvene in the late afternoon for an 8-hour deep listening session led by Justin Carter, the cofounder of Planetarium. Justin will play full albums and sides, allowing for silence between songs and records, revealing intimacy in the music and the space.

As part of the 8-hour session, Dimitri will perform live with browndevin, sharing a musical practice with vibrational instruments that Dimitri has developed over his 20 years as a psychedelic facilitator and that browndevin has developed through his own sound healing practices as well as work on stage with artists such as Pharrell Williams and The Roots.

After the extended session, we walk together to the Sanctuary at the summit of Omega to experience a sound bath held by Rena Anakwe. Rena’s practice incorporates traditional vibrational instruments with modern electronic equipment, as well as scent, activating the olfactory in ways that heighten the sonic experience. After Rena’s sound bath, we head outside and close the night with stargazing.

On Sunday morning, before we depart, new age pioneer Laraaji sends us off with a meditative opening to inner laughter through guided chanting and laughter exercises, a final opportunity to deeply listen to ourselves and each other.

All amplified sound for the weekend will be on a combination of contemporary and vintage audio equipment that is either an example of, or in the tradition of, the great hi-fidelity technology of the 1920s through the 1950s – Western Electric and RCA theater systems and playback equipment designed by EMT. The hi-fidelity audio equipment includes giant horns and big, glowing tubes that reproduce music in the most beautiful way.

Throughout the weekend, there is ample time to enjoy the nature and facilities at Omega, such as canoeing and kayaking on the lake, perusing the Ram Dass library, walking the labyrinth, exploring hiking trails, or booking a treatment at the Wellness Center. All meals at the Omega Dining Hall are included in the price of the all-inclusive-stay.

Please bring whatever you need to be comfortable in the listening space: blankets, sleeping bags, bean bags, pillows, etc. Omega has yoga mats and yoga blankets on site to borrow. The space at Omega is larger than the loft where Planetarium happens in NYC, and the capacity will be lower, so there will be room to spread out.

Please note this course has a special schedule:

FRIDAY

4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Check In (Rooms available after 5:00 p.m.)

8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Live Performance by 7038634357

SATURDAY

10:00 a.m.–Noon
Conversation and Performance by Dimitri Mugianis

2:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Extended Planetarium Deep Listening Session with Justin Carter

10:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
Nighttime Walk to a Sound Bath by Rena Anakwe in the Sanctuary

SUNDAY

10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Laughter Workshop and Farewell with Laraaji

1:00 p.m.
Check Out

The above schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the faculty.