Yes, in classic style I'm biting off more than I can chew and sponsoring/running/participating in a side event for TAM Australia. Yes, shortly before the Amazing Meeting (aka #tamoz) kicks off, I'll be hosting a skeptical open mic night at a venue somewhere in the city. It'll most likely be a pub, because let's face it, I'll need a drink.
I'm hoping to attract some out-of-towners, and maybe some international guests. I'll be kicking things off myself with a five minute demonstration of how to speak 8bit binary using only beer glasses, coasters and a whiteboard marker. I have no idea how well it'll work, but that'll be for the audience to decide. I'll also have a talk on Skepticator in reserve, and maybe one or two other subjects too, just in case time needs to be filled.
There's a good chance I'll lose my voice by the end of the weekend though, so I need participants to step up to the plate and talk. All you need to do is five minutes on a skeptical or scientific subject, then there's a five minute Q & A with the audience, then you can have a drink! You can do a song, if you like, as long as you don't need a full band. Reading pre-prepared statements will be frowned upon, but you can bring notes. Off-topic subjects may be gonged off at audience discretion. You may do more than one talk, as long as the subject matter changes, and you may not do two consecutive talks.
I'm wondering whether I can manage spot prizes or an overall prize for best topic as determined by audience vote, but I'm trying to keep it as informal as I can.
Anyway, head over to Facebook to sign up for the event, or feel free to discuss it in the comments here.
UPDATE: for those without Facebook access, @HappySinger has summarised the event here: http://www.twitlonger.com/show/1q891j
UPDATE 2: It's now designated a "fringe" event, and it's going to happen at the Macquarie Hotel. Meetup.com also has a hub for fringe event planning here.
posted @ Friday, June 11, 2010 1:29 PM