First off, what the heck is a Testival? According to The Twestival Web site, “Twestival™ (or Twitter Festival) uses social media for social good.” On Thursday, March 25, Twitter.com users (and their friends) from around the world will gather in hundreds of locally-based parties and rallies to benefit an important cause: Education.
The Asheville event raises “money and awareness for Concern Worldwide, an international humanitarian organization dedicated to spreading education and ending extreme poverty,” says a press release.
Concern is a humanitarian organization “dedicated to reducing suffering and ending extreme poverty.” It was started more than 40 years ago in Ireland by Kay and John O’Loughlin Kennedy, who wanted to help war torn Biafra back in 1968. “Since then, Concern has gone on to work in over 50 countries, responding to major emergencies as well as working in long term development programmes,” says the organization’s Web site.
If you want to get inspired, watch this video that Pogues front man Shane MacGowan — with friends like Nick Cave, Johnny Depp and Chrissie Hynde — made for Concern:
Want more sonic inspiration? Asheville’s Twestival — to be held at Club 828 (64 N. Carter St., Asheville, 252-2001) features local bands Taylor Martin’s Engine (Americana), boogie woogie collective The Screaming Js and rockers The Enemy Lovers. That’s the entertainment for the “adult portion of the evening,” which also includes a selection of local craft brews.
There is a family-friendly portion to the evening as well: from 5-7 p.m. bring the kids for “free food, non-alcoholic beverages and surprise guests.” And, in the spirit of the whole virtual global community, “Twestival Global Asheville will be live streaming, so Twestival supporters can connect with their global contemporaries in real time.”
Finally, there’s also a Facebook Silent Auction: to access it, go to the Twestival Asheville Fanpage.
The details:
Thursday, March 25, 5-11 p.m. at Club 828. $15 donation (tickets here); all proceeds go to Concern Worldwide. Info here.
—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
What fun–and effective–event. Last year’s Twestival to benefit Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) really impressed me so I’m glad the Twestival’s back, with another good cause.