The 2011 Twestival is coming to Belfast, Galway and Dublin tonight, connecting Twitter users in real life on a single day while raising money for non-profit organisations.
The Twestival (or Twitter Festival) is the largest global grassroots social media fundraising initiative and since 2009, volunteers have raised almost US$1.2m for 137 non-profit organisations.
It encourages people to use social media to raise awareness of the charities. It also wants people to volunteer or host an event and encourages donations for the non-profits.
While the initiative is independent of Twitter, the social networking company still strongly supports it.
Dublin
This year, the Dublin event, sponsored by Eircom, will be held at the Village on Wexford Street.
Acts playing include Paddy Cullivan, The Shoos and Blood. There will also be a ‘Songs of Praise’ Karaoke event on the night, spot prizes and a raffle.
Tickets cost €5 and all proceeds go to Irish athletes attending the Special Olympic Games in Greece.
Belfast
The Belfast Twestival will be held at Ulster Hall, with entertainment from Skip Gibson and jazz pianist Scott Flanigan.
UTV is sponsoring the event, and there will also be prizes on offer.
All the proceeds will go to Aware in Northern Ireland, who supports people with depression or bipolar disorder.
Galway
The Galway Twestival is also includes prizes and a raffle.
The event will be raising money for the Galway Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Tickets cost €10 and the event will be hosted at House Hotel from 7pm.
