Twestivals are community gatherings to meet those who use the microblogging social network Twitter and raise money and awareness for charity. The buzz around the Twestival for Washington, DC was hightened on Twitter a couple weeks prior to the event. 
There were other Twestivals happening at the same time as ours, including ones in London, Las Vegas and Honolulu. The event at Local 16 brought together a couple hundred professionals, bloggers and journalists meeting up and sharing stories about Twitter. The icebreaker question all night seemed to be “So, when did you start Twittering?”
Lindsey Mastis, Patrick O'Brien, and Nakeva Corothers
The event was coordinated by Peter LaMotte, and over $1000 was raised through donations and a silent auction. Proceeds from this event benefited charity:water. Lindsey even had some face time on camera talking about the event and why she Twitters (follow Lindsey here, and follow me here). It was cool to see so many people meet, shake hands, then go to their Blackberrys and iPhones and start following each other online immediately. My most memorable person I met was Steven Asher, whom I now follow on Twitter. And, of course, it was great seeing Nakeva Corothers again.
(photos courtesy of Shannon Evans. More photos from Twestival)
