Hotel Information
Holiday Inn Metrodome: Spark rate = $109+tax
University Inn: $69/night (queen suite with kitchenette) + tax
Aloft (nice!): $99+tax/night (single) $109+tax (double)
Directions
Most events are held in or near the West Bank Arts Quarter, on the University of Minnesota West Bank campus.
By Car:
Getting to the West Bank Campus:
Going east on I-394: Follow I-94 east to I-35W north to the U of M west bank exit, 17C. Take a right onto Washington Avenue and curve right onto Cedar. Turn left on 3rd Street S.Going east on I-94: Follow I-94 east to I-35W north to the U of M west bank exit, 17C. Take a right onto Washington Avenue and curve right onto Cedar. Turn left on 3rd Street S.
Going north on I-35W: Follow I-35W north to the U of M west bank exit, 17C. Take a right onto Washington Avenue and curve right onto Cedar. Turn left on 3rd Street S.
Going south on I-35W: Follow I-35W south. Due to the recent bridge collapse, it will be easiest to follow detour signs directing to the University of Minnesota West Bank. The easiest path is:
Take exit 23A merging onto MN-280 S
Take the exit onto I-94W
Take the Riverside Avenue exit and turn right at the stoplight. Take a right onto 19th Avenue S.Going west on Highway 36: Take I-35W south to the U of M west bank exit, 17C. Take a left onto Washington Avenue and curve right onto Cedar. Turn left on 3rd Street S.
Going west on I-94: Take the Riverside Avenue exit and turn right at the stoplight. Take a right onto 19th Avenue S.
By Plane:
Fly into Minneapolis/St.Paul International Airport (MSP) (insert MSP joke here) The Holiday Inn Metrodome does not have a shuttle from the airport, however, they do have a shuttle from the light rail to the hotel.To use this free shuttle, get on the light rail in the MSP airport. The ticket charge will be $1.25. As soon as possible, call the Holiday Inn and tell them you are on the light rail. You will get off at the Metrodome Light Rail stop. Look for the Holiday Inn vehicle waiting for you. (They will only be waiting for you if you have called ahead)
For more information on the Light Rail, visit the Metro Transit website: www.metrotransit.org.
A cab ride from the airport will cost about $26.
Maps
For an event map with all event locations, Click here.
For a detailed campus map, Click Here.
For a detailed parking ramp map, Click Here.
Getting Aroung Campus:
It gets a bit chilly up in Minneapolis, so the majority of the campus is connected with underground tunnels. A map of the tunnel system can be found here.
Weather
For the past few years, the Spark Festival has been on the slightly more appealing side of global warming.
Minneapolis in February is typically quite cold. We have been lucky in the past to have had warm streaks during the festival.
However, It is advised that guests of the festival pack a warm jacket for traveling between events.
For specific weather information, please consult the forcast.
Festival Fees
There are no fees to attend the 2009 Spark Festival of Electronic Music and Art. Most events are free.
In lieu of conference and admissions fees, please take note of some of our sponsors on the right panel of this webpage.
(A few NightLife events have a small cover charge. These events will be clearly noted in the program.)
Questions & Help
Please direct general questions to the Spark Festival email address: sparkfst@umn.edu.
If you have a quick question, try AIM: sparkfst.
Specific inquaries can be made to the appropriate person by reviewing the Staff page.
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