After what seems like a very long break I am delighted to blog again about the fabulous experience we had running the Collaboration Cabaret at actKM’s 2008 Conference this week.

It was another great actKM conference of course, with Cory Banks blogging highlights (and others I suspect but not yet or not on my radar) and tweets found here.

On the evening of Day 1, with the help of quite a few friends (some of whom weren’t even coming to the conference), we staged a terrific and entertaining cabaret (if I do say so myself) that had audience and participants laughing, thinking, singing and even “dancing” (well arm waving anyway).

With a format similar to the popular Australian TV shows Spicks & Specks and Good News Week, we pitted the Wild Wombat Warriors (Cory Banks, Nerida Hart and Michelle Lambert) against the Cuddly Koala Kings and Queens (Matt Moore, Arthur Shelley and Catherine Rodgers). The teams put in a valiant effort to solve riddles and meet the challenges thrown down. The brave but ultimately hopeless attempts by Catherine and Cory to mime complex scenarios were a particular highlight – what great sports!

And the winners were ……. both teams in a tie! (Seriously this was not rigged.) The prize of $100 donation to the charity of choice will be split between Breast Cancer Research for the WWWs, and SANE and Kiva.org for the CKKQs.

It wasn’t all talk as we were lucky enough to have Ukuleles Canberra come along as our guest performers for the night – and they were fabulous! They opened with KM is Rising (Bad Moon Rising), did a great job with “Name that tune” and got everyone singing with the closing number KM Hocus Pocus (to the Hokey Pokey).

Special mention must go to KMer Keith De La Rue for his brilliant rendition of “Clancy of the Knowledge Flow”. Pointing out Australia’s long history of pioneering knowledge managers, Keith sang of the lament of an office-bound KMer who aspires to the creativity and freedom of the web 2.0 enabled Clancy who’s “Gone collaboratin’ “.

Being heavily involved with organising and hosting the Cabaret, I’m not a disinterested observer. But based on the laughs, the faces of the audience and teams, and the comments to me afterwards, the night was very well received and a whole lot of fun.

A HUGE thank you goes out to all who helped with organising and staging the Collaboration Cabaret – you made it happen.

Credits:
Keith De La Rue – early participant, collaborator on whole show, staging and PA, “Clancy”
Dave Williams – Conference Convenor and score keeper
Nerida Hart – Co-convenor, early participant, photos and member of Wild Wombat Warriors
Michelle Lambert – early participant and member of Wild Wombat Warriors
Cory Banks – early participant and team leader of Wild Wombat Warriors
Matt Moore – team leader of Cuddly Koala Kings and Queens
Arthur Shelley – poster contributor and member of Cuddly Koala Kings and Queens
Catherine Rodgers – innocent bystander who bravely agreed to join the Cuddly Koala Kings and Queens
Steve Matheson – Ukuleles Canberra organiser and enthusiastic participant
Tim Keeble – Ukuleles Canberra and master lyricist (KM Rising and KM Hocus Pocus)
Charlie Chan – Bass Guitar, sound and Ukuleles Canberra
Keith Ogborn – Ukuleles Canberra
Annette – Ukuleles Canberra
Serena Joyner – Act I Facilitator, Act II Host
Patrick Lambe – early support and Dr Vaine’s address
Andrew Mitchell – mug shot for KMer or serial killer?
Luke Naismith – mug shot for KMer or serial killer?
Peter DeHaan – particpant, collaborator on show
Chandni Kapur – early participant, score keeper, photos, video
Tania Soler – early participant, poster contributor and photos
Mark Schenk – early participant and technical assistance (powerpoint)
ActKM 2008 Conference delegates – The Audience
My family – for putting up with me stuck in my laptop for weeks on end (sounds like the Oscars doesn’t it?)
… and I hope I haven’t left anyone out. Remind me if I have.