FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below we have tried to answer the questions we hear most often. If you need more information about something that isn't listed on the web site, please write info@darkodyssey.com and we will do our best to get right back to you.

Q: Why did you move the date from New Year's Eve to Easter weekend? Don't you know we have families and other obligations?

A: Actually, we will be moving again next year to our final ... and best date ... Valentines Weekend. We are always at the mercy of hotel availability and we have had to be flexible in order to finally get what we want. Hopefully next year will be our last move and Valentines Weekend will be Dark Odyssey weekend from here on out.

Q: Where is the Host Hotel Located?

A: Our hotel is in Downtown Washington DC. It is a major, name-brand, conference hotel located on Capital Hill right by Union Station, the Smithsonian and within spitting distance of the Capital Building ... not that we recommend spitting on congress.

Q: Is the Hotel scene friendly?

A: Yes, the hotel is very scene friendly and hosted The Master/slave Conference this past summer as well as Black Rose's Tuesday night meeting and convention. The management is fully supportive of our event and wants to make sure we are comfortable and have a great time.

Q: Do we have the whole hotel?

A: Yes ... and No. We have rented out virtually every ballroom, meeting room and function space the hotel has to offer. Our playspace will be the entire lower ballroom level. Classes and vending will be in the many other great ballroom and classrooms around the hotel. The hotel has over 800 sleeping rooms, and its unrealistic to think we will sell the place out our first year. However they do not get a lot of tourist or business travelers this particular weekend and we will be doubly careful to book rooms on a floor by floor basis so there will not be any "families" complaining about screams and loud noises coming from your room in the middle of the night.

Q: What is the dress code?

A: You must be street legal when walking the hallways, in the lobby, elevators, restaurants, etc of the hotel. Most people dress casually during the day for workshops. At night we expect to see you in your fetish finest. There will NOT be any bizarre dress code restrictions like last year. Cross dressing is perfectly acceptable. T-shirts with cute sayings are great. Men in kilts turn us on. Outlandish costumes will be applauded. But you MUST be street legal at all times in the public areas of the hotel.

Q: How much is the event?

A: A full weekend pass to the event varies in price from $115 - $185 depending on when you register and if you are a member of a participating group. The weekend pass gets you into all of our classes, workshops, special events and parties with the only exception being the Saturday Night Banquet and Burlesque Show (additional $50). Marketplace Passes (Vendor Only) will be available for $10/day. At this point no other day passes or workshop only passes are being offered. Frankly, very few people ever take us up on them and they create an inordinate amount of work for the registration and security team.

Q: How do I book a room? What if I don't want a room?

A: You do not have to book a hotel room to attend Spring Fire. You absolutely can commute from home, stay with a friend, or even get a room in another hotel. We think staying in the hotel is your best choice especially with the amazing room rate special the hotel has offered us of $139/night if you book a minimum of 2 nights in the hotel.

To book a room you must check off your room preference during online registration. You will be asked if you want a King or Double Double, Smoking or Non, Arrival Day and How Many Nights you plan on staying. If you do not want a room or will be staying with someone who has already requested a room, simply answer "none". To extend your stay before or after the convention at the same rates, simply let Lonnie know when she emails you to confirm your room request.

Room prices are based on double occupancy, which means you can have up to 2 people in the room at that price. If you want to put up to 4 people in the room there is an additional charge of $20 per night (not per person per night ... just per night).

Q: I'm flying into DC. What airport should I choose?

A: There are 3 airports in the Washington DC area. Personally, we would pick the one with the cheapest rates that fit your schedule.

Reagan National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport to the district. You can jump on the Metro to Union Station which is 3 blocks from the hotel.

Baltimore Washington International (BWI) is located about 40 minutes north of the district and is typically the "bargain" airport of the region. You can get on a Marc or Amtrak train at BWI which will take you straight to Union Station ... about 3 blocks from the hotel.

Dulles International Airport (IAD) is about 30 minutes west of the district. It is not served by the metro or light rail and you would have to take a taxi, shuttle or have someone pick you up. It is however, a very nice airport with these bizarre people movers that look like something out of a sci-fi movie that take you from terminal to terminal. A lot of Spring Fire attendees live in Virginia around the airport and might be able to give you a lift.

Q: When do I get directions to the event?

A: About the second week of March we will email you directions to the event along with more information about all our special events and workshops that you may participate in. Please make sure we have your current email address so you get all event notices timely. We do NOT send out a snail mail confirmation package. You can update your email address and other personal information in the Attendees Only Area by clicking on your "Virtual Badge".

Q: How much will it cost to park my car?

A: The main drawback of doing the convention in downtown DC at a first class hotel is the cost of parking. The hotel has valet parking only and it costs $30 a day. Now before you have a heart attack we have a few options. The good news is that the area around the hotel will be pretty empty all weekend, on street parking is plentiful and free starting Friday night at 6:30 all the way through Monday morning. Union Station is 2 blocks from the hotel and has a 1000 car garage open 24/7 and only charges about $15/day. I imagine that will be the primary lot. We will send out directions to the Union Station lot with your final confirmation email.

Q: I just want to hook up. Are there any loose women there?

A: Sadly, we were actually asked this question.

Well my politically incorrect "friend" the answer is ... there may be ... but probably not for you. Spring Fire is primarily an educational and social event. We attract an amazing cross section of people and are very proud of our diversity and the comfortable environment we create for those who are often made to feel "out of place" elsewhere. We are doctors and lawyers, artists and activists, husbands and wives, you and me. We are a truly a pansexual community; heterosexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgendered and more.

Many of us are already deeply involved in one or more aspects of alternative sexuality and want to explore other areas or share our knowledge with those on the journey. Most of our attendees have an interest in one or more or the following: BDSM/leathersex, polyamory, open relationships and swinging, Eastern Philosophies, Earth-based spirituality, and Tantra.

If you really must know, our event stats are typically about a 52% to 48% male/female. Approx 35% are not coupled (single) and many couples do play with others. We have mostly heterosexuals but a large and growing contingent of bisexuals, lesbians, and transgenered.

Q: Ok, I am not an insensitive dolt, but I am new ... is this convention for me?

A: Absolutely, Spring Fire was designed as an entry point to the alternative lifestyle community. It's purpose is to give you a taste of the many different flavors of human sexuality. Where other events simply focus on a singular aspect like BDSM or the Lifestyle, we are the sampler version ... a taste of sexuality ... if we may. Many of our classes are introductory level so you can start at the beginning and walk away armed with new skills and ideas. We ask everyone to attend a short Spring Fire 101 class where we talk about etiquette and how to make the most of your weekend. If you are curious about alternate sexuality, have an open mind, and a good attitude this is the right place for you. Singles of any gender are welcome ... assholes and wankers are not and we reserve the right to ask anyone who makes other attendees uncomfortable to leave.

Q: I can't bring my camera?

A: We are sorry, but to ensure everyone's privacy we ask that you leave your camera at home. Also, now that everyone seems to have a cell phone with a camera, we can't allow you to use your cell phone in the playspaces, workshop rooms or classrooms and would really appreciate if you must use your cell phone that you go into the lobby or better still outside the hotel away from other attendees.

The incomparable Barbara Nitke will be on hand to capture those special moments. If you are willing to have your picture taken we will ask you to sign a model release during registration and you will then be identifiable to our staff photographers by the color wrist band you are given.

Q: What happened to the pictures from last year's Winter Fire.

A: Due to some very onerous federal record keeping requirements we were unable to post last year's pictures. We have a new system in place this year. It takes a bit longer but ensures that we are fully compliant ... and you know how we enjoy being compliant.

Q: I have more questions ... I need more answers?

A: Then send us an email to info@darkodyssey.com and we will do our best to get you an answer as soon as possible. If you have a burning question that can't wait for email ... or you type really poorly ... call Greg at 703-906-2832.