Twestival. Offline social networking, sort of

I wrote a long post the other day about how Twitter can be a great way to get an 'in' to Birmingham — and it can, but everyone's Birmingham on Twitter is a bit different: follow the arty types and the city is a non-stop round of openings in beautifully distressed urban spaces, follow the internet gurus and it's a hop from coffee shop to coffee shop and critical reviews of the speed of the wifi. And if you follow the PR pros then it's both — with healthy lashings of how busy they are thrown in. Follow me and you mainly get acerbic comment on how early the cat wakes me up every morning, and off-colour witticisms.

The worlds do collide though, and tonight is one of those times – Twestival is a charity event that attempts to link the Twitter users around the globe while raising money for a nominated charity. Birmingham's event is in Poppy Red in the Arcadian from 7:30pm, and the charity is Concern, who are dedicated to reducing suffering and ending extreme poverty.

It should be a great way to meet some of Brum's creative scene in an environment where they'll all be wandering around staring at each other's chests (for the name badges, they're not rude) and happy to chat to new people. There's also a magician, some great DJs and a huge raffle — prizes include flights, meals out, a week's holiday in Portugal, a cover version of your choice recorded by Friends of the Stars, and a box of marrows. So if you like folk, holidays, being frisked by security guards, or just need some vegetables there's something there for everyone.

The city's businesses have been strong-armed by the Twestival organisers to sponsor free drinks (for the first 50 in) and provide entertainment. The upshot of which is that your roving reporter might, just might, have to have his chest waxed in public. I'm a very hairy man, and I must have been feeling very charitable (as a newt) when asked.

For more details, or to get your ticket (£2 cheaper online) head over to the Birmingham Twestival website.