The Chicago Retreat

Booking now open for this weekend event on September 14-15

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch since yesterday’s post where I shared the news of a tour of the northeastern United States (plus Toronto) this September. There will be a full announcement with dates as soon as we have a few more events confirmed – but in the meantime, this is a follow-up to share the invitation to the retreat in Chicago on the weekend of September 14–15.

This retreat will take place on the University of Chicago campus at Hyde Park, hosted by Dr Ashley Colby of Doomer Optimism. It starts with an optional reception and public event on the Friday night, followed by two full days together as a group.

The registration page for the event is now live – places are limited, so we’re sharing it first with you as paid subscribers to Writing Home:

Here’s what Ashley has written about the event:

In September 2024, Dougald will be making his first North American tour since he and Paul Kingsnorth founded the Dark Mountain Project, more than fifteen years ago. This is a rare opportunity to spend time in an in-depth, in-person gathering with an author whose thinking has influenced many of us deeply.

Join us in Chicago for a weekend retreat with Dougald, discussing the questions raised by his new book and body of work. This event will be co-created by attendees. 

The weekend will kickoff with an optional reception and book event at Pilsen Community Books on Chicago’s south side, which will be open to the public. This will include a talk, book signing, and reception.

The official private retreat will launch Saturday morning on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park. On Saturday, we will begin with a conversation with Dougald, laying out the lines of thought he traces in the book. Over two days, we will enjoy a series of talks, workshops, and panels proposed by you, the participants in this retreat. 

Saturday evening there will be an optional dinner for attendees. At the end of the day Sunday we will re-convene with Dougald to assess insights from the weekend. 

General admission is $300 per adult and grants you access to the retreat. This includes talks, workshops and panels on Saturday and Sunday, as well as the potential to participate as a speaker. Coffee, tea and refreshments provided. Accommodation and meals are not provided. Tickets are limited to 40.

Admission is per adult. Children 17 and under can attend for free. Please let us know via email if you will be attending with children ashley@rizomafieldschool.com. We have also reserved limited tickets for low income attendees. Please email ashley@rizomafieldschool.com to inquire and reserve your spot.

I look forward to meeting some of you in person that weekend.

DH