Twestival Toronto 2011

7 p.m. - 1 a.m., Thursday, March 24th

The Fifth, 225 Richmond Street West

Supporting The Remix Project

The Remix Project was created in order to help level the playing field for young people from disadvantaged, marginalized and under served communities. Their programs and services serve youth who are trying to enter into the creative industries or further their formal education; The REMIX Project provides top-notch alternative, creative, educational programs, facilitators and facilities.

Goal: $25,000

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The TwestivalTO story: A community success showcasing the power of social media to fund-raise, engage and inspire

March 29th, 2011 Comment

Twestival Toronto: A Night to Remember

On March 24, 2011, Toronto once again joined Twestival, the largest “Twitter Festival” in the world connecting more than 150 cities and raising over $500,000 (and counting!) for local charities.

A quick look back at the #TwestivalTO stream and you’ll see that Torontonians know how to have a blast for a good cause. Toronto’s digital community once again showcased its generosity to the world: our city raised the most money out of the 12 participating Canadian cities, and ranked 5th (yes, #5!) out of all the cities around the world.

As a result of incredible support from sponsors, volunteers, performers, staff at The Fifth and a lively crowd of nearly 600 people, $18,000 was raised for The Remix Project, a local Toronto charity that utilizes mentorship, instruction and the power of the arts to inspire at-risk youth and help them achieve their dreams.

Funds raised will be used to expand the reach and impact of The Remix Project, including their six-month educational programs in subjects that include Media Arts, Creative Arts and Business/Entrepreneurship.

It all adds up to creating personal success stories and a building a stronger community on and offline.

"I don't know where I'd be right now without Remix," said Ruthie Titus, a Remix Project graduate now working as a professional photographer. “It’s changed my life in so many ways.”

"Our level of engagement with the Toronto community has been projected to a whole new level through the use of social media," said Gavin Sheppard, co-founder and executive director of The Remix Project. "TwestivalTO has helped expand our message to thousands of Torontonians, and together we made a profound difference on lives in our community."

For more details on what your support and money raised means to The Remix Project, click here.

Thank You for Making TwestivalTO a HUGE Success!

Thank you, sponsors!

@CreativeNiche @evokesalon @HK_Can @rogersbuzz @EdelmanTO @Marketwire @TurboTaxCanada @FifthSocialClub @NatandMarie @bnotions @IABCtoronto @DrakeIntl #bizmedia @ @FlightCentreCa @globalink_ca @popchips @mycitylives @gelaskins @MuchMusic @unmarketing @SeanMoffitt @CodeYourArtOut @JasonRolland @BootyCampFit @vitaminwater @canadahelps @InspiredStudios

This event would not have been possible without your generous support.

Thank you, volunteers!

@MichelleDias @nathanchong @erinnmacfarlane @PRmediagirl @msnizzy89 @laubrodie @CandiceKei @J_MarieB (and her sister!) @SarahOYoung @AngelaKhar @clairelarocca @janeerobinson

Everyone went over and above the call of duty. Your time, efforts and professional expertise were superb and crucial to a successful event.

Thank you, main stage hosts!

@laurentoyota @GavinSheppard

Dream team: Much Music host and co-founder of The Remix Project. Enough said. You were great!

Thank you, live stream/Twidol hosts and film crew!

@NatandMarie @atubanos @karmacakedotca @bnotions

Nat&Marie, your great hosting skills provided laughs and entertainment throughout the evening! You two were on fire! Special thanks to your film crew and BNOTIONS for their time and efforts. The Twitter voting system for Twidol was truly awesome.

Thank you, performers!

@djflash @djagile @davidakermanis @TheRemixProject

Your time and talents were much appreciated by everyone!

Thank you to event photographers!

@erinleydon @kmorr @jamesarthurs @TheRemixProject

How many photos did you take?? Crazy - we loved them all!

Thank you, Twidol contestants!

@fragileheart (aka #Twidol5) took home most tweets, but all contestants sang their hearts to the delight of a captive audience and on the global live stream!

Thank you Xbox Kinect dance-off hosts!

@InteropQueen @karimkanji @jennahoff

The dancing started with you and did not stop until 2 a.m.!

Thank you Xbox Kinect dance-off contestants!

@TyrahCampbellSpence took top spot with moves that could not be touched! Others also danced up a storm, taking their moves onto the dance floor well into the night!

Thank you, iPad & EightShit avatar sketchers!

@emaninTdot @TayChayathivong @Eightshit

You created smiles and more than one hundred awesome new Twitter avatars and Facebook profile pics for attendees! Amazing sketching skills.

Thank you, staff at The Fifth

You were all incredibly helpful and accommodating! Feel free to keep #smashtag, #SweetRetweet and #tigerblood on your featured drinks menu :)

THANK YOU, attendees!

We organized the entire event with you in mind. The more people in the door, the more money raised for charity. We hope you had a great time!

And last but not least, thank you to everyone for all the support on Twitter, plus great blog posts, photos and videos!

@gisuck YouTube Videos

@erinleydon Flickr photos

@chrisluckhardt Flickr photos

@ValTorontoGal photos

My City Lives videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5vhlQPaciA

@Canadian88 Twestival groupie :)

If we missed anyone, please let us know! We’ll include your name, link to your Twitter profile and ensure you receive the recognition you deserve! If you posted anything we did not capture above, please pass along!

Final thoughts

TwestivalTO 2011 was a huge success. We’re still amazed by the support from Toronto’s digital community!

After a thorough post-event wrap up, we’ll move our sights towards TwestivalTO 2012. If you thought this year was fun, brace yourself. In 2012, we’re going bigger, better and have our sights set on raising the most money of all Twestivals in the world.

Lastly, don’t forget you can still DONATE HERE to support The Remix Project until March 31. It only takes a few minutes and a few dollars to help make a difference.

See you next year!

Cheers,

Twestival Toronto 2011 Organizing Committee

@shawngriffiths @sderksen @FMA_Park59 @melissaretty @kimberly_mae @heatherpayne

Email us: team@TwestivalTO.com

Click here to view a complete Twestival 2011 global fundraising scoreboard

Get in the know for TwestivalTO!

March 24th, 2011 Comment

Hello TwestivalTO faithful!

The day has finally come. Here are 5 things you NEED TO KNOW for tonight:

1) DRESS CODE – There is none. Wear whatever you’re comfortable in (so long as it’s legal).

2) TICKETS – Online purchases close at 3 p.m. today, but you can purchase them at the door as well. It’s $20 a ticket, and ALL money goes to The Remix Project. There are limited tickets available, but we’ll get as many as legally possible through the doors!

3) TIMING – Doors open at 7, but there are plenty of attractions throughout the night. Come whenever you can!

4) CONTESTS – Many of you (myself included) are just hoping to meet friends and industry colleagues, snag some swag and have a good time! That’s fine.

For the rest of you adventure-seekers, we’ve got a LOAD of stuff going on.

Check out our ART ZONE for live art, a silent art auction, iPad Sketch artists (who will do your portrait) and more!
Nat&Marie's Twidol Karaoke Challenge is going down at 8:30 in Cabin 5. Your tweets determine the big winner!
Our QR Code Treasure Hunt has over 100 prizes up for grabs! Download an app (I use Scanlife) and get scanning.
Enter our Xbox/Kinect Dance-off competition for a chance to win both consoles! It kicks off at 10:30.

5) BUSINESS CARDS – We’re not trying to prompt you to network, but we do want you to win some of our amazing door prizes!

Thanks for all your support, Toronto! Looking forward to making #TwestivalTO a trending topic in Canada!

Cheers,

Stephen

@sderksen

TwestivalTO

You are the Judge! Tweet your Vote! Decide Who Wins! #TwestivalTO #Twidol

March 24th, 2011 Comment

If you've ever wanted to be a karaoke star and sing to win great prizes, tonight you can make it happen!

From 8:30-9:30 pm, Nat and Marie will host TwestivalTO's Twidol Karaoke Challenge! The show will be live streamed and the finale broadcast on Twestival's global live stream to the world!

Up for grabs: Twidol glory and an awesome Prize Package from @FlightCentreCa including $200 towards your next trip!

Don't miss out! Limited spots available to join the competition, so arrive early to sign up! Complete song list here

TWESTIVALTO TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE UNTIL 3 PM EST. GET YOURS HERE!

QR Code Treasure Hunt sponsored by Rogers starts March 24 at 7 p.m.!

March 23rd, 2011 Comment

Get ready Toronto!

TwestivalTO's QR Code Treasure Hunt sponsored by Rogers begins on Thursday, March 24 when doors open at 7 p.m.!

7 LUCKY STEPS TO FIND YOUR TREASURE:

Get your TwestivalTO ticket here
Install any "QR code scanning app" on your smartphone (most are free)
Practice your treasure hunting skills by scanning the TEST QR CODE below:
Join the hunt starting at 7 p.m. at The Fifth (225 Richmond St. West)
Find one of hundreds of QR codes plastered throughout the venue
Scan for a chance to win!
Present your winning QR Code to TwestivalTO's PRIZE ZONE and collect your prize!

More than 100 incredible prizes up for grabs, including:

Two kick a$$ devices from Rogers: a white BlackBerry Torch and a Nokia N8
Rogers $100 gift card
Free hair cuts and colour combos from Evoke Salon
Exclusive photography package from Inspired Studios
Gelaskin gift certificates and iPad 2 covers
Booty Camp Fitness 4-week pass
Tickets to Hockey Heroes Oldtimers’ Challenge in Toronto, donated by Canadian Diabetes Association
Tickets to Toronto Blue Jays baseball games
Copies of UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging
Copies of WIKIBRANDS: Reinventing Your Company in a Customer-Driven Marketplace
PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!

Walk TwestivalTO's red carpet early for your best chance to win! Plus first 100 people to arrive get awesome free t-shirts courtesy of @RIGHTSLEEVE!

So charge your phones, load up your favourite QR code scanner app, and let the hunt for amazing treasures begin! Most importantly, don't forget to buy your TwestivalTO ticket supporting The Remix Project! You can't hunt without one.

A HUGE thank you to all our sponsors for supporting this unique contest to help raise money for The Remix Project. It would not be possible without your generosity.

Finally, want to learn more about QR Codes? Check out this cool infographic from Mashable with more QR codes to test! Get your scan on! You'll be an expert in no time!