Planetarium is a deep listening event series run by the creators and artists behind Nowadays, Mister Saturday Night, and Mister Sunday in New York City. We set up a hi-fidelity sound system in a special location, invite you to bring pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, and anything else you need to get comfortable, and present music to explore the inner cosmos.
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. Then, Dimitri will share a musical practice with vibrational instruments that he has developed over his 20 years as a psychedelic facilitator.
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.
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.
