Bangalore tweeples, this is your chance to come together for a cause at the Twestival 2010 and guzzle a free beer while you are at it
Bangalore tweeples, this is your chance to come together for a cause at the Twestival 2010 and guzzle a free beer while you are at it
Who knew that 140 characters are all you need sometimes to make a difference. The power of Twitter is for the world to see. Bangalore-based Cap Gemini IT consultant Hrish Thota decided to use this incredible online medium to bring Twestival (an offline festival) to India last year in February.
Twestival which literally means a twitter festival in twitter speak, is an event that was first started in 2008 when a group of Londoners decided to let their twitter handles rest for a bit and got together offline for a social cause instead. 
This culminated into the first ever global Twestival held in over 202 cities in February 2009 including Bangalore. The cause was clean and safe drinking water. More than 25,000 dollars were raised which made way for wells in Uganda, Ethiopia and India.
The second meet managed to raise a whopping 450,000 dollars globally in support of local causes the world over. This is the third time Bangalore will be playing host to the festival.
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Thota, a Twitter-addict himself says, "I first came across this festival on Twitter and thought of bringing this event to Bangalore. This is an opportunity for Bangaloreans to meet together offline, have some fun, enjoy performances and help a worthy cause."
The Twestival 2010 plans on bringing smiles to children's faces all over the world and especially kids in India this year. The collective has tied up with Concern Worldwide, a non-profit organisation that works towards making education a reality for children who have no means of going to school.
On March 25, several cities all around the globe will come together at fun events organised by volunteers and will celebrate the cause of education and its importance.
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Chennai, Goa, Mumbai, Kochi, Kolkata and Delhi are the other participating cities. Head to Opus on Palace Cross Road for performances by local rock band Galeej Gurus and cover band Repsychled. And that's not all. Illusionist Nakul Shenoy will be working his magic on the crowd too.
And if it still does not manage to get you into the groove, how about some free beer and dance tracks spun by DJ Elden? The event is completely volunteer-based and relies on sponsorships. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go straight to Concern Worldwide.
Thota believes that Twitter is a very strong medium to reach out to people. Through Twitter he got in touch with major liquor and telecom brands and got sponsorships for the festival.
"It is not only a great way to connect with like-minded people but also a great way to do your bit for issues that concern all of us," Thota says. In fact, the liquor brand, which has opened a Twitter page in lieu of the upcoming Twestival, already has a fan following of 2,611 tweeters.
u00a0It was Twitter that also saw the Bangalore attendance at the Twestival rise from a mere 15 in February 2009 (they raised Rs 5000) to about 200 in September (Rs 35,000 was raised) during the second installment and this year Thota expects the attendance to be many-times higher than previous figures.
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At: Opus, Palace Cross Road.
On: March 25, 7 pm
Tickets: Rs 250
Book: Online at www.bangalore.twestival.comu00a0or www.indianstage.com
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