Participation in the MAD Convention workshops is open from the age of 10, but young acrobats will definitely benefit from supervision. In our training hall, around 250 enthusiastic circus fans are present for a whole lot of workshops at a whole lot of different locations, which can feel overwhelming for the younger crowd.

If you'd like to accompany your young acrobat but aren't particularly athletic yourself, you don’t need to buy a separate Convention ticket for yourself. Simply register together in the morning at our information desk in SPRK.

Please note: if you want to watch the evening performances together, you will need to purchase your own ticket(s) for those. Catering is also only provided for those participating in the workshops.

Flying and static trapeze, unicycle, Cyr wheel, aerial straps, Chinese pole, aerial hoop, teeterboard, trampoline, slackline, aerial tissue, floor acrobatics, German wheel, juggling, physical theater, magic, acro-porté collective, hair hanging, acro dance, diabolo, mini trampoline, handstand, clowning,…

The workshop timetables per day will soon be available here.

• "I haven't been doing circus for that long yet and don't really know this technique"
  -> Then check out our workshops for beginners
• "I've been taking circus classes or physical training for quite some time"
  -> Then check out our workshops for immersers
• "My partner and I mainly want to train acro-porté and have quite some experience already"
  -> Sign up for our specialist track: two workshops in acro-porté + one workshop of your choice per day
  (please note: you can only register for this program with (a) regular porté partner(s) - we would like to ensure a good flyer/base balance)

The workshops are spread across various locations in and around Park Spoor Noord. All participants first gather at SPRK to receive a wristband for MAD Convention. There, you will also get the latest updates on the workshop schedule and start the training with a nice joint warm-up.

• SPRK - Damplein 35 (entrance via Park Spoor Noord)
• Nova+ - Hardenvoort 41
• Kunstkaai - Cadixstraat 2
• Villa Stuivenberg - Stuivenbergplein 37
• Wisper - Dambruggestraat 336

When you buy your weekend ticket, you have the option to also book three nights of accommodation - while supplies last. Check-in is on Thursday, April 10, and after three days and nights of circus madness, you'll check out on Sunday, April 13, tired but satisfied. For your well-deserved rest, you can choose from these three options:

• A bed in a dormitory at HOPPER – Youth lodging Het Scoutshuis - Wilrijkstraat 45, 2140 Antwerp (+ €110 for three nights, breakfast incl.)
• A place to roll out your own mat and sleeping bag in a dormitory at HOPPER – Youth lodging Het Scoutshuis - Wilrijkstraat 45, 2140 Antwerp (+ €50 for three nights, breakfast incl.)
• A bed in a dormitory in The Ash - Italiëlei 237 - 239, 2000 Antwerp 
  (+ €110 for three nights, breakfast incl.)

To make optimal use of your muscles during the workshops, we also provide transportation from HOPPER to MAD Convention. The MAD Shuttle Bus runs in the morning (08:00) from HOPPER to the training venue and in the evening (21:00 and 22:15) from the festival site back to HOPPER. On Thursday, April 10, there is only an evening ride, and on Sunday, April 13, only in the morning.

If you go for the Complete Madness or Acro-Porté Madness, you'll not only get three days of workshops but also two tickets for performances from the MAD program. The first ticket is reserved for MAD Generation (Fri 11.04 of Sat 12.04), and you can choose from the following shows for the second ticket:

• Alice Rende - 'Fora'
  - Thu 10.04
• MOVEDBYMATTER & Muziektheater Transparant - 'Mystica'
  - Thu 10.04, Fri 11.04 or Sat 12.04
• Cirque Exalté - 'Foutoir Céleste'
  - Thu 10.04, Fri 11.04 or Sat 12.04
• Company Alud - 'Maelstrom'
  - Sun 13.04

When booking your weekend ticket, you can choose the performances and the time - as long as supplies last.

A vegetarian (and mainly vegan) lunch and dinner are provided for all participants. These meals are included in the price of a day ticket or a weekend ticket.

Our caterers provide clear labels for allergens, so you don't have to worry about specific allergies or intolerances. If you have very specific meal preferences, please send an email to info@ecdf.be in advance.