September 29-October 3, 2008 at Wildacres Retreat Little Switzerland, NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Featuring Rounder Recording Artist Carrie Newcomer as Instructor and Performer

SOLATIDO is a four-or five-day retreat for aspiring and seasoned songwriters. Here's a chance to get away from real life and make time for your work in the company of other writers. At SOLATIDO you will also learn from some of the best singer/songwriters working in the region.

PARTICIPANTS, whether beginning or accomplished writers, will have a chance to learn from each other in a new format--in Tuesday morning peer workshops and then our usual whole group showcase of works-in-progress on Tuesday night. We will also be at Wildacres with the Duke University Writers Workshop. Solatido participants will have a chance to sit in on some Duke faculty presentations and the Duke group will also join us for Carrie Newcomer's concert and late night jam sessions.

THE GOAL OF THE RETREAT is to provide a relaxing environment where we can share our music in a noncompetitive atmosphere of professional support and encouragement.

THIS YEAR singer/songwriter CARRIE NEWCOMER presents a two-hour workshop on the afternoon of October 1 and will perform in the Wildacres auditorium that evening. The workshop will address:

Writing Mindfully: Exploring the Sacred Ordinary

Using songwriting and discussion, this workshop explores the idea of writing with a spiritual current, and the different ways this current is expressed. Carrie facilitates this workshop acknowledging that there is great value in an ordinary life, lived extraordinarily well, that there is power and healing in the telling of a story, as well as encouraging the use of our unique voices. In a supportive and nurturing environment Carrie gives students new practical tools for creating more exciting and effective songs while encouraging them to "push their edges" and to reach inside themselves and into the world little further and a little deeper.

TUITION is $275 per person for double room accommodations for three nights, eight meals, the concert, and the workhop session. OR YOU CAN STAY UNTIL FRIDAY morning for an additional $65 which includes 3 meals and lodging for Thursday night and breakfast on Friday morning.

LOCAL COMMUTERS who wish to attend just for the day of Carrie Newcomer's workshop and performance on October 1 pay $75. Dinner on that day is included for commuters.

TUITION DISCOUNTS are available to past participants of SOLATIDO. See registration page for details.