GUIDES

Use these Guides for instructions and advice on Housing, Parking, Transportation, Venue Locations, Maps and Dining at the Festival.

Click on the following links to show the relevant Guide:

 

Tips for First Time Attendees

  • University of Washington Campus - The UW Campus is large, poorly signed and difficult to navigate. It is a good idea to review the maps provided in this Guide Section prior to the Festival.
  • Registration and Information - The registration desk, this year, will be located on the first floor of the IMA building.  It will be open from 11am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday and from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday.  Before taking any class, you must obtain a class name badge at the registration desk.  If you have pre-puchased a festival pass, a class pass or individual classes, they will be available to you at the registration desk.  If you have any questions or need festival information, it is always best to first go to the registration room.
  • Milongas - If you are not taking classes but just going to one or several milongas, you do not need to register and you can pay at the door at each milonga you attend. If you have purchased a festival pass or a milonga pass, it will be available for you at the registration desk. You must have your milonga pass with you at each milonga you attend to gain entrance.  If you pre-purchased a Grand Ball or Salmon Bake ticket, have it with you at these events to gain entrance. A milonga pass is good for entrance to both the Grand Ball and Salmon Bake.
  • Thursday and Monday Classes and Milongas - These events are not included in the passes and are pay at the door only.  We do this because many festival attendees do not arrive until Friday and leave on Monday.  This allows us to offer a better price on the passes.
  • Transportation - Most classes are on the UW Campus and are in easy walking distance from the UW Dorms and hotels in the University District.  This year we will provide complimentary bus service to the Friday and Saturday night milongas as well as the Sunday Salmon Bake.  We do not provide transportation to the late night milongas on Saturday and Sunday and the Thursday and Monday events at China Harbor. It is usually easy to find rides to these events with other tangueros or to use public transportation or taxis.  Use this Gudie for directions.

Housing Guide

On Campus Housing at the University of Washington

Housing at the UW Dorms is available through UW Conference Services. There are three packages offered; one for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, July 30th and 31st and August 1st, one for Friday and Saturday nights, July 30th and 31st and one for Saturday and Sunday nights,July 31st and August 1st. The packages are priced for either single or double occupancy. The room rates are approximately $40/night for double occupancy and $60/night for single occupancy. You may also choose to arrive a day early, Thursday, July 28th, and/or leave a day late, Tuesday, August 3rd. The extra nights are about $45/night for double occupancy and $65/night for single occupancy.  These extra nights are not a part of the packages. The package price includes a $20.00/day meal card which can be used at any designated UW Housing and Food Service location. The cost of the meal card is in addition to the room fee. The registration desk as well as the main food service location, 8 at McMahon's, are located in McMahon Hall. The food service is operated by local restaurants and is surprisingly good. 

None of the rooms have a private bathroom. All are equipped with ethernet access and free local phone service with voicemail. Television lounges, kitchenettes with microwave ovens, and laundry facilities are available for dormitory occupants. Although these are dorm rooms, almost everyone who has stayed there, enjoyed the experience. 

If you are on the fence, we suggest you give Campus Housing a try this year. The price and convenience can't be beat!

A link to the UW Conference Services for Reservations should be available in early April

  • Reservations must be made by July 15, 2010. Reservations made after this date will incur a $25.00 late fee and will be accepted on a space available basis.
  • 3 packages are offered. One for Fri, Sat and Sun nights, one for Fri and Sat nights, and one for Sat and Sun nights. 
  • Depending on when you plan to arrive or depart, an extra night for Thursday, July 28th, and/or Monday, August 2nd maybe added to any of these packages. 
  • Any questions you have about staying at the UW dorms should be directed to UW Conference Services at their website.  They are very professional and experienced in handling large conferences
  • The link for the UW Conference Services should be available around mid April.

University District Hotels

Hotel rooms in the University District in July range in price from $90 to $200.  Most are located within easy walking distance of the University Campus. We don't have any specific recommendations as to which hotels are better choices. Use the following links for locations and reviews: 

>> GoNorthwest

>> Yahoo Travel

Parking Guide

There is ample parking on the UW Campus.  Parking is not a part of the UW Housing packages. Monday through Friday the cost is $12.00/day.  On Friday night after 9pm parking is free.  On Saturday after 12pm and all day Sunday, parking is also free. Parking is available at the IMA building for classes and registration. Use the paid parking in front of the building or Lot E1.  : >> UW Parking

Free off hour public parking is readily available at most other Festival locations; China Harbor, Washington Dance Club and Marina Park in Kirkland. This is our first year at the The Naval Reserve Building (The Armory) so we are not sure how available parking will be.

Transportation Guide

To and from Sea-Tac Airport to the UW Campus >> Airport Transportation

Metro Buses to and from UW Campus >> King County Metro

Local Taxis  Orange Cab 206-522-8800, Yellow Cab 206-622-6500, Seattletowncar 206-860-2121

Bus service from the UW Campus in front of McMahon Hall will be provided to the Friday and Saturday night milongas at The Naval Reserve Building (The Armory) and to the Sunday Salmon Bake in Marina Park.

Driving directions >> UW Commuter Services

 

Festival Venue Locations

UW Intramural Activities Building (The IMA)  Registration, Fri, Sat and Sun classes

The Naval Reserve Building (The Armory), 860 Terry Ave. N., Fri night milonga, Sat night Grand Ball

Gould Hall, 1 Block Off Campus at Corner of 15th Ave. N.E. and N.E.40th St. Sat Alternative Milonga

China Harbor, 2040 Westlake Ave. N.  Thursday and Monday Night Classes and Milongas

Washington Dance Club, 1017 Stewart St.  Saturday and Sunday Late Night Milongas 

Marina Park Pavillon, 25 Lake Shore Plaza, Kirkland  Sunday Sunset Milonga and Salmon Bake

Maps

Venues >> Venue Locations

UW Campus >> Campus Map

Dining Guide

"8 at McMahons" located in the basement of McMahon Hall serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  An espresso cafe, Dawg Bites, located on the first floor of the IMA has coffee, smoothies, sandwiches and snacks. There are many restaurants located in the Universtity District, within easy walking distance from the UW Campus. Again, we don't have any specific recomendations as to which restaurants are good chioces. Use these links for locations and reviews of nearby restaurants:

>> Yahoo Travel

>> Seattle Weekly

>> UW Recomendations

Class Level Guide

To ensure that all festival-goers have an opportunity to learn with others at similar skill levels, we encourage you to read this class level guide.>> What Level Tango Dancer Am I?

Tips on Enjoying the Festival

We expect TangoMagic to be once again well attended. We expect the milongas to be crowded. Here are some valuable tips to make your festival experience more enjoyable.

>> Secrets to Enjoying Seattle TangoMagic Festival