The 32nd annual · Directed by John D. Lamb
Lamb’s Retreat
for Songwriters
Two four-day weeks on Lake Michigan, or all ten days as an artist-in-residence. Open to all songwriters.
Songwriting is an act of discovery — a chance to listen inward and create outward.
Write a song. Inspirational talks and presentations. Discussions on craft and creative process. Open mic and song swaps. One-on-one sessions. Good food. Great accommodations.
The 32nd annual Lamb’s Retreat for Songwriters runs October 29 – November 8, 2026, directed by John D. Lamb at Jolli-Lodge, 29 N. Manitou Trail, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653. Take one week or stay for all ten days as an artist-in-residence.
The retreat is open to all songwriters. To register for either week or all ten days, call Springfed on 248-224-9338.
Weekend schedules
A glimpse into your retreat days.
Both weeks run to the same shape: showcase on Thursday night, song assignments on Friday, one-on-one conferences and a staff concert on Saturday, and everyone performs on Sunday morning.
- 2:00pm – Midnight Check in & sign up for Song Showcase
- 8:00pm Wine & food reception
- 9:00pm – 11:00pm Songwriters Showcase (hosted by Kirby)
- 8:00am – 9:45am Breakfast (sign up for Song Showcase)
- 10:00am – 11:00am Lamb's Prelude
- 11:00am – 11:30am Will Sing for Food (Amy, Pierce, Shanna, Pat)
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch (bagged lunch pick-up 12:00–12:30pm)
- 1:00pm – 2:00pm Song Assignments — John D. Lamb
- 2:15pm – 3:00pm Keynote: On Doing Good Work — Pierce Pettis
- 6:00pm Italian Dinner (sponsored by Blissfest Music Organization)
- 8:00pm – 10:00pm Songwriters Showcase (hosted by Kirby)
- 7:59am Morning hike (recommended)
- 8:00am – 9:45am Breakfast (sign up for one-on-one conferences)
- 10:00am – 10:45am Girl to Country — Amy Rigby
- 11:00am – 11:45am From Interpreter to Inventor — Pat Byrne
- 12:00pm – 12:45pm Finding the Sweet Spot — Shanna in a Dress
- 1:00pm – 2:00pm Lunch
- 2:45pm Group photo
- 3:00pm – 4:30pm Conferences
- 5:00pm Free writing time
- 6:00pm – 7:00pm Dinner
- 8:00pm – 9:30pm Staff concert — Amy, Pierce, Shanna, Pat
- 9:30pm – 11:00pm More free time
- 9:00am – 10:00am Brunch
- 10:00am – 12:30pm Perform song assignments
- 3:00pm Check out
- 2:00pm – Midnight Check in & sign up for Song Showcase
- 8:00pm Wine & food reception
- 9:00pm – 11:00pm Songwriters Showcase (hosted by Kirby)
- 8:00am – 9:45am Breakfast (sign up for Song Showcase)
- 10:00am – 11:00am Lamb's Prelude
- 11:00am – 11:30am Will Sing for Food (Abigayle, Fairhazel, Audra, Caroline, Ed)
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch
- 1:00pm – 2:00pm Song Assignments — John D. Lamb
- 2:15pm – 3:00pm A Blissful Keynote — Caroline Barlow & Ed Dupas
- 6:00pm Italian Dinner (sponsored by Blissfest Music Organization)
- 8:00pm – 10:00pm Songwriters Showcase (hosted by Kirby)
- 7:59am Morning hike (recommended)
- 8:00am – 9:45am Breakfast (sign up for one-on-one conferences)
- 10:00am – 10:45am A Detroit House of Music — Audra Kubat
- 11:00am – 11:45am Fairhazel Schmazel — Fairhazel
- 12:00pm – 12:45pm All-Chair Turn — Abigayle Oakley
- 1:00pm – 2:00pm Lunch
- 2:45pm Group photo
- 3:00pm – 4:30pm Conferences
- 5:00pm Free writing time
- 6:00pm – 7:00pm Dinner
- 8:00pm – 9:30pm Staff concert — Abigayle, Fairhazel, Audra, Caroline, Ed
- 9:30pm – 11:00pm More free time
- 9:00am – 10:00am Brunch
- 10:00am – 12:30pm Perform song assignments
- 3:00pm Check out
Schedule as published for 2026. Times are subject to change.
This year’s presenters
Nine writers, two weeks.
Invited presenters lead the talks, the keynotes and the one-on-one conferences, and play the Saturday staff concert.
October 29 – November 1, 2026
Invited presenters are Amy Rigby, Pierce Pettis, Shanna in a Dress, and Pat Byrne.
Special guests: All of our songwriter attendees.
November 5–8, 2026
Invited presenters are Abigayle Oakley, Fairhazel, Audra Kubat, Ed Dupas, and Caroline Barlow.
Special guests: All of our songwriter attendees.
Open to the public
Lamb’s Leland
Songwriters Concert
2026 Leland concert poster
What it costs
Published 2026 rates.
Tier pricing is per registration and depends on the lodging unit. Several units are already reserved, so the week you want is confirmed on the phone.
| Option | One week (3 nights) | Ten days |
|---|---|---|
| Tier two — shared unit, lake view | $755 | $1,800 |
| Tier three — Main Lodge room, shared bath | $725 | $1,750 |
| No lodging — programme and meals only | $500 | Not published |
Weekend packages include the Thursday night reception, three breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, wine and beverages. Extra retreat days are $100 each. Cancellations 30 days before an event receive a full refund less a $50 administration fee; cancellations 7 days before receive 50% of the registration fee. Springfed members save $75 on this retreat. Prices are transcribed from the live store page and have not been confirmed as current for 2026 — blocker B2. Do not treat them as final until John confirms them.
Scholarships
Nobody should miss a retreat over the price of it.
Scholarship opportunities are offered through the Sal D’Agnillo Songwriter Endowment and the Blissfest Music Organization. Write to info@springfed.org with inquiries.
ScholarshipsBefore you book
Questions we are asked most.
What does a weekend package include?
What is the ten-day package?
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What is the cancellation policy?
Ready when you are
Two four-day weeks on Lake Michigan, or all ten days as an artist-in-residence.
Register Online