Liverpool Twitterati looking for tweets at city Twestival

by Pierce King. Published Thu 29 Jan 2009 11:41

Followers of fastest-growing social media site Twitter are joining forces to raise money for charity at Liverpool's first-ever 'Twestival.'

Twitter is a micro-blogging tool which allows people to post regular updates, known as tweets, about what they are doing. Similar to Facebook status updates.

Its celebrity users include Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross, but the site is increasingly being used as a business tool and a way for people to make new contacts and share information.

On Thursday, February 12, more than 100 cities throughout the world will be holding Twestival events where people who have met online through Twitter can meet face-to-face.

All the events will raise money for the charity Water, which aims to bring clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries.

The Liverpool event, which will be held in Leaf Tea Shop and Bar, in Parliament Street, includes live music from The Lapis and Sparkwood & 21.

There will also be a charity auction with lots including a signed book by a celebrity Twitter user.

Organiser Andy Goodwin said: "Liverpool has a very active Twitter community that cuts across sectors.

"It's not just the usual techie people, but there's also a lot of creative people and others from all sorts of industries.

"The beauty of Twitter is that some people use it for instant messaging, some people use it for marketing, it's whatever people want it to be.

"But what binds people together is that if you find somebody local you tend to have a conversation with them. The natural extension of that is that you meet them.

"Twestival is a good excuse to meet people, enjoy some entertainment and raise money for a good cause."