Friday, Aug. 28, 5:00 PM – Sunday, Aug. 30, 2:00 PM • NK STUDIOS, Bingen, WA
Registration closed for 2026.
Adult Irish Dance Summer Camp
Welcome to Camp!
Welcome to Camp!
Need to Know
Location : NK STUDIOS / Bingen, Washington
Studio Address:
NK STUDIOS
417 W Steuben St.
Bingen, WA 98605
The studio has some parking, and there is free street parking as well as a free parking lot across the street.
Quick Schedule
FRIDAY
4:45 - 5:00 | Studio Open
5:00 - 5:30 | Camp Starts
5:30 - 7:30 | Ceili
SATURDAY
9:00 - 9:30 | Studio Open
9:30 - 12 | Choreography
12 - 1:00 | Break
1:00 | Pilates
2:00 - 3:30 | Choreography
4:30 | Optional Happy Hour Starts
SUNDAY
10:30 | Studio Open
10:45 | Active Flexibility
11:45 - 1:30 | Setting and Filming
1:30 - 2:00 | Say goodbye!
Packing ListIn Studio:
- Refillable water bottle - we don't have cups!
- Softshoes, or whatever you like to dance softshoe in
- Hardshoes (note: the studio floor can't be danced on in hardshoes. I have marley to roll out, but please keep your hardshoes on the marley)
- Clean tennis shoes or dance sneakers to wear on the studio floor if you are a hardshoe dancer (TBH I will spend the vast majority of my time in my dance sneakers, and you are absolutely welcome to do the same!)
- dance clothes for hot weather - the studio has some air conditioning, but it's working over time on hot days. We will be optimizing to keep the studio as cool as possible, but expect to be sweaty.
- yoga mat (we have a few at the studio, but if you want your own feel free to bring)
- Snacks! I'll have a few for the studio, but if you have snacks you like...
Other Stuff:
- Swimsuit (if you want to get in the water)
- Towel for the water (again, if you want to swim)
- Water shoes
- Sun protection (sun glasses, hat, sun screen, etc)
Detailed Schedule
FRIDAY
4:45 - 5:00 | Studio Open
I will be at the studio from 4:45 in case anyone wants to arrive early and get settled before we start.
5:00 - 5:30 | Welcome
We'll do some introductions and a short welcome. Nothing too painful before the ceili :)
5:30 - 7:30 | Ceili
Get to know each other in the best possible way! This community ceili is open to the public, so there will be other dancers from my classes here, folks in the community who want to dance, and families. If you're a local dancer taking camp, you can absolutely have friends and family join us for the ceili. If you have family/friends you want to bring, they can sign up just for the ceili here. Just a note, there won't be food or drinks at the ceili, as it's in the studio. If you need a snack before dinner, make sure to bring something.
7:30 Onward | Free time + dinner on your own
Friday night is yours to explore town, get settled and rest up for Saturday, or hang out with each other. If you're looking for dinner post ceili, I recommend pFriem. They are located on the Hood River waterfront, and open until 9. They have iconic beer and great food. If you want to stay on the Washington side, Everybody's Brewing is open until 10, and they also serve great food and beer. If you're looking for a fantastic cocktail, Gander and Goose is the best in the gorge (in my humble opinion) and they have excellent small bites for dinner too.
SATURDAY
9:00 - 9:30 | Studio Open
The studio will be open for you starting at 9AM. You're welcome to come and use the space, stretch, warm up, foam roll, meditate, etc at this time.
9:30 - Noon | Choreography
We will start dancing right at 9:30. I will lead a full warm up as part of this session. We'll all be in the same space learning the first choreography sections until noon.
Noon - 1 | Lunch Break
There are a few quick lunch options in Bingen and White Salmon:
In Bingen (closer to the studio 7 - 12 min walk from studio)
Sunrise Juice has excellent smoothies, acai bowls, and juices
Society Hotel has a cafe with sandwiches, coffee, soup
In White Salmon (5 - 7 min drive from the studio)
White Salmon Bakery has excellent food options - sandwiches, salads, and delightful baked goods
Nativ Cafe has salads, bowls, smoothies and some say the best coffee in the gorge
The studio doesn't have a refrigerator, so if you bring your own lunch or snack, just bear in mind that there isn't a fridge to put them in.
1:00 - 2:00 | Pilates for Irish Dance
Please be ready to move again at 1 PM. Renata will be leading this session.
2:00 - 3:30 | Choreography time
We will spend the rest of the afternoon finishing the choreography.
4:30 - 6:30 | Happy Hour at the River | Exact location TBD!
*** Note that this is a totally optional hang out that is not a part of camp. If you want to join us, please do, but it's by no means required
Anyone who wants to join for a little river time is welcome. I'll bring snacks and some local wine for a fun spread, and we can spend the afternoon swimming (or not) and relaxing by the water. The water is cold, but you'll absolutely be able to swim or splash around if you want to. We will either be at river spot in Washington or Oregon, neither drive is longer than 20 minutes from the studio.
6:30 onward | Dinner + Explore on your own
After happy hour, feel free to explore town or rest up for Sunday. The town of Hood River is probably your best option for a wide selection of food and drinks Saturday night. I like Sushi Okalani (though it does get busy on the weekends, so you might have a wait), Double Mountain is a Hood River staple for pizza (some would say no visit to the gorge is complete without it and it is heirloom tomato pizza season so...), Kings and Daughters has basic but excellent food and outstanding beer, and Love and Hominy does unique tacos and frozen bevs and is a bit more casual. What I would personally do after a dance day is go to Spinning Wheels brewery to hang out and have a beer, and order amazing mexican food from Lake Taco to eat while listening to records and enjoying said beer.
SUNDAY
9:30 - 10:30 | Dance Fitness with Nika (DFN) | Optional
DFN is an empowering follow along dance cardio class that tones, sculpts, and inspires. It's nothing like Irish dance, which is why it might be a fun option for those who are up for it. The cost of this class is $18. You can book your spot here. I strongly recommend booking early, this class sells out.
If you aren't doing dance fitness, you have the morning to explore, rest, enjoy some slow coffee, or go for a hike! If you want to stay close to town, The Hood River Waterfront Trail or Indian Creek Trail are both great options for a nice morning walk. If you are very ambitious (as I know some of your are) you could get up very early and hike Beacon Rock or do Dry Creek Falls.
10:45 - 11:45 | Active Flexibility
Remember to fill out the questionnaire from Renata so she can make this especially useful for you.
11:30 - 1:00 | Choreography Review
We won't learn any new material on Sunday, we'll just review everything from Saturday, refine anything that needs it, and give people spots.
1:00- 1:45 | Dancing + Filming
We will do many takes of the piece, and you'll have a chance to dance a lot. This is a no-pressure filming situation, just something nice to have to commemorate the weekend. Plus, you'll have videos of the steps and choreography in case you want to revisit any of it in the future. I will share videos with everyone after the workshop.
1:45 - 2:00 | Say Goodbye
Tragic I know, but the weekend will come to a close.
Note that on Sunday, I didn't schedule in a break for lunch. After camp ends at 2, y'all could totally keep hanging out over some food. If you're up for that, I recommend Everybody's Brewing (right in White Salmon) or Walking Man Brewing on the way out of town in Stevenson.
This is the very first time I've offered this, and it's certainly an experiment! It's priced to reflect the expected learning curve, and I hope that if you join us you'll be open to sharing your feedback about this first year. I'm expecting a small group, and anticipate a really special experience. If you’re thinking about it, please reach out with questions at carlyecunniff (@) gmail.comCome dance where the river meets the mountains.
For one weekend, we're taking over NK STUDIOS in Bingen, Washington — right in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge — for an intensive built for intermediate to advanced adult Irish dancers.
We'll work in skill-level tracks and learn performance-focused choreography rooted in Irish dance, with influences from contemporary movement and other percussive dance forms. By Sunday, we'll bring it all together into a full group piece and film it. The choreography is yours to take, perform, build on, or make your own.
More Details
Is this the right level for me?
I'll be running two tracks:
Advanced beginner to intermediate: you can move forward/backward/sideways confidently to the music, and you can pick up soft shoe steps with basic movements.
Advanced: you're confident with fast hard shoe rhythms (think traditional set dances and treble reel steps) as well as more advanced soft shoe choreography.
These are broad categories and I'll adjust as I see who signs up.
Retired competitive dancer wondering if you're "still good enough?”
Yes. It doesn't matter how many years it's been — this is a great level for you. If you're a true beginner, though, this one's going to be too hard to enjoy, and I'd rather point you toward something that actually fits.
What about housing?
You will have to find accommodations for the weekend if you’re coming from out of town (more details on that below). If you’re ready to sign up but want to room with someone, or go in on a group house, please reach out and I’ll connect you with others wishing to do the same.
Do I need shoes?
You don’t need to have hardshoes, dance sneakers or clean tennis shoes that you like dancing in are just fine. Whatever you like to dance softshoe in is fine (I personally prefer socks or barefeet for softshoe).
Is this CLRG open approved?
I’m not part of any Irish dance organization AND this is fully focused on performance choreography, so it meets the CLRG rules for open events. If you’re part of a CLRG dance school, and would like to talk more about this, I’m happy to help navigate!
What does it cost?
The cost of the workshop is $200 for the weekend, but housing and meals are not included. But, cost shouldn't be the thing that stops you. If money is tight, tell me. I can split up payments, there's some scholarship funding available, and we can get creative with housing too.
Getting here
Bingen sits on the Washington side of the Gorge, just across the river from Hood River, Oregon — about an hour east of Portland.
Flying in? Portland International Airport (PDX) is your best bet, roughly 60 miles / 1 hour west of Bingen.
Taking the train from Portland? Easy — Amtrak's Empire Builder stops directly in Bingen at the Bingen–White Salmon station, right in town, no transfers needed.
Taking the train from Seattle? You'll need one connection: take Amtrak Cascades from Seattle to Portland, then transfer to the Empire Builder (Portland-bound section) to reach Bingen. Not a direct shot, but still a fully car-free option if you'd rather not drive.
Taking the bus? The Columbia Gorge Express (CAT) runs daily between Portland's Gateway Transit Center and Hood River, with stops at Multnomah Falls and Cascade Locks along the way. Schedules and tickets at ridecatbus.org. I take this bus all the time, it’s super easy and quiet.
Driving? From Portland, take I-84 East along the Oregon side, then cross the Hood River Bridge into Washington (or take WA-14 the whole way if you're coming from the Vancouver/Camas side). Easy, scenic drive — leave yourself extra time to stop for the views.
I can help with pick-ups/drop-offs from either the train station in Bingen or the CAT station in Hood River. Let me know what you need!
Where to stay
Where to Stay
Bingen is a tiny town, so depending on your budget and vibe, here are a few directions to go — and remember, if housing is a barrier, please ask! There are others who want to split up housing I can connect you with.
In Bingen itself:
The Society Hotel Bingen — a converted schoolhouse with hotel rooms, cabins, and even hostel bunks, plus a spa and bathhouse on-site. Walkable to the studio.
Just across the bridge in Hood River, OR (10–15 min):
Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River or Best Western Plus Hood River Inn — reliable, comfortable
Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa — if you want to make it a proper getaway, cliffside views and a full spa
Plenty of Airbnbs downtown, walkable to restaurants
***note that you can’t walk or bike across the bridge from Hood River to Bingen, you have to drive. We can figure out carpools from this side of the river easily, just something to keep in mind.
Camping / budget-friendly:
Gorge Base Camp RV Park in White Salmon — RV sites and tent camping, 5–10 minutes from the studio
Farther out:
The Dalles or Cascade Locks, roughly 20–30 minutes away, have more budget motel and KOA-style options
Carson Hot Springs Resort or Bonneville Hot Springs
Questions? Cost or housing a concern? Just reach out.
Recommendations in The Gorge
Here are some of my other local recommendations for coffee, shopping, things to do in case you find yourself looking for more to do in the area. I'm also happy to share more specific recommendations if you want them - just let me know!
Coffee + Cafes
Oregon Side
Golden Goods - plant based cafe. THE BEST cookies and really good vegan sandwitches.
Ground Coffee - great coffee and quick breakfast items, open early!
Edeske - ridiculously delicious pasteries
Hood River Farmers Market - theoretically you could hit up the Farmers Market on Saturday at 9 AM and still make it on time to start class at 9:30. You'd have to be quick and efficient but it's possible.
Washington Side
Confluence - great coffee, incredible location, if anyone is staying east of bingen, this is a great spot
Food
Washington Side
Oregon Side
Grasslands BBQ - if you're into BBQ this is worth coming to town early for. You could probably make it happen Friday before class starts, or try your luck Sunday afternoon. Be sure to check their calendar though!
Beer + Bars
The gorge is a beer and wine mecca, this is an abbreviated list.
Oregon Side
Kings and Daughters - also has cocktails!
64 Tap House - big selection of different beers, also has cocktails!
Common House - small but very curated selection of beers and wine
Washington Side
Wineries
Annalemma - my favorite wine in the gorge, also has incredible local food
Cor Cellars - great wine, great spot for a wine afternoon
Phelp's Creek - tasty wine and this one is pretty close to town
Hikes
The Hood River Waterfront Trail
Multnomah Falls - the waterfall in every picture of the gorge. You will pass this on the way to town if you take I-84 from Portland. It's certainly worth a stop, but you need a permit to vist during the summer. Be sure to plan in advance for the drive to/from if you want to stop. You can also experiene this waterfall without doing the hike up to the top, just from the visitor area off the highway (still need a permit though).
Tamanawas Falls (currently closed due to the Grasshopper fire, but may reopen by the time camp happens. Be sure to check!)
Umbrella Falls (currently closed due to the Grasshopper fire, but may reopen by the time camp happens. Be sure to check!)
Ramona Falls Trail - this is my favorite long hike. It's pretty far away, but if you're going back to Portland around Mt. Hood or are staying an extra day or two, it's worth checking out.
Swimming + Waterfalls
Punchbowl Falls - swimming! There are many punchbowl falls around, if you want a short walk to a swimming hole, this is the one you're looking for.
Tucker Park - swimming! It's cold though.
Hood River Water Front - there are few places to get in the water right on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. It's a busy beach front, but if you just want to get in the water, you can! I also find the water in the Columbia is slightly warmer than the water in the other spots I've linked.
*** if you have an extra day and are really looking for swimming holes, I have other secret ones I can share that I won't put online :)