2026 Many Stars That Guide Us Online Retreat (48 people)
Jan 2-4, 2026 (with introductions Jan. 1st at 8 PM ET)
2026 IN-PERSON RETREATS (48 people)
Monday, July 6 - Friday, July 10, 2026 (Guest House, Chester, CT)
Monday, August 3 - Friday, August 7, 2026 (Guest House, Chester, CT)
Sunday, Nov 1 - Thursday, November 5, 2026 (Garrison Institute, Garrison, NY)
We are offering two stunning locations to songwriters for 2026. Over the summer, we will be at the lovely Guest House in Chester, Connecticut, a historic inn-turned-retreat-center just 2 hours from Boston and New York City by train/car and one hour from Hartford’s Bradley airport. (And don’t worry – we can pick you up at the train station!). In November, we will return to the Garrison Institute in Garrison, NY, a stunning former monastery-turned-retreat-center less than 1.5 hours by train from New York City and easily accessible by car.
Dar, our team of songwriters and special guest songwriters (TBA), will be on hand to guide and support your songwriting craft in a range of workshops and song circles. We’ll offer daily yoga, song prompts (optional), a daily deconstruction of one of Dar’s songs (by Dar, of course), vocal coaching, songwriting workshops, a one-on-one song consultation with Dar, evening song sharing with the whole group, collaborative songwriting opportunities (the now infamous “So-Fab Collab”) and coffee, tea and creativity flowing 24/7.
Guest House and Garrison Institute’s missions align well with ours and they are very good at ensuring we are comfortable so we can focus on what we love to do – all rooms are well-appointed, with AC (for summer retreats) and delicious meals served by a culinary staff that accommodates special dietary needs. Both retreat centers offer single, double and triple rooms (Guest House with private bath) at different price points and a friendly installment plan. Pricing is all-inclusive – all workshops, meals, lodging (and fun) are included. You won’t need your wallet the entire week.
Only you know what sort of retreat experience will benefit your songwriting. As a result, we have designed this retreat so you can structure your days as you see fit, making space for solo writing and reflecting time and a daily workshop or two, or hitting all the workshops you can in a day for feedback on a batch of semi-finished songs. We have lots of offerings, but no advance signups are necessary, so you can let the muse be your daily guide. Both novice and gigging songwriters sit side by side in our workshops, united by the desire to keep honing their craft and connecting with others. And with regards to your musical level, we will meet you wherever you’re at. Many songwriters have returned year after year to a place where they continue to grow, learn, find inspiration, and strengthen their ties to our community of kindred spirits.
