Kodak is happy to be participating in the third Rochester Twestival. The theme of "act local" is especially appealing in regards to Twitter and social media. There is a lot of attention around how good social media is at making the world a smaller place and bringing people together from around the globe. But the impact that a social tool like Twitter can have at a local level should not be overlooked. Not only in terms of helping local causes but how it brings people together in a community that might not have otherwise connected.

Members of the Kodak social media team have spoken at social media conferences around the world... 140Conf, LeWeb, BlogWorld... but we also make an effort to speak at local events... RIT Social Media and Communication Symposium, RAMA, Rochester Ad Council. As much as Kodak is a global company it is important to contribute, interact and connect at a local level. Twestival is a great opportunity for that.

There will be several Kodakers at the Twestival @KodakCB @KodakCL and @KodakCommunity and Kodak has provided cameras for the prize packages.

Kodak PlayTouch Pocket Video Camera - shoots 1080p HD video and 5 MP HD still pictures. Features include 3 inch touchscreen LCD, on camera editing, external microphone jack and creative film modes.

Kodak M530 Digital Camera - 12 MP, 3X optical zoom, small slim design.

For everyone as supplies last - coupons for free 4x6 prints at Kodak Picture Kiosk.

Look for us at Twestival and good luck winning a camera!

- Jenny Cisney @KodakCB

Today's the day! After two months of planning, countless meetings, emails, phone calls, photo shoots, and interviews, it's finally arrived. We're all so excited to get tweet, meet, and give with you all tonight, and are even more thrilled that we're supporting such a great organization as the YWCA.

We're nearing a hundred tickets sold online already and are expecting many more at the door. Need the details on this evening's festivities? Still on the fence about stopping by? Look no further, my friends. Here's the scoop:

Time: The party officially starts at 6:00. I know, I know, everyone likes to be fashionably late. Here's a great reason not to be: everyone in the door before 7:30 gets a free drink ticket (for a beer or well drink) from our friend @birdbathbuzz. The last raffle will be given away at 10:00, but our bands will be rocking out until the wee hours of the night.

Place: Easy on East (between Spot Coffee and Henry B's - directly across the street from News 10 NBC). Look for the bright yellow Twestival banner outside!

Parking: FREE after 5:30 in the East End Garage right next door.

Tickets: If you buy them online before 5:00 today, you can still snag the $15 price. Otherwise it's $20 (cash only, please) at the door. Online purchasers will need to show us the Amiando receipt at the door - either the paper printout, or pull it up on your smartphone.

Now for the fun stuff:

Bands: We've got four local bands helping us out tonight. First up will be Moho Collective, then Sinzibukwud, an a capella group from RIT, Eight Beat Measure, and then we'll close out the night with Something Else. These guys have graciously donated their time and talents, so stop out and give 'em some love!

Raffles (ooooooooh): We're raffling off some seriously awesome stuff. Over $1000 in gifts have been divided up into four super desirable gift baskets that we'll be drawing winners for every hour on the hour from 7-10. Wondering what's in them? Hmm.. I think I saw a Keurig machine, a few hundred dollars in restaurant gift certificates, some jewelry, 4-packs of Amerks and Knighthawks tickets, and there may or may not be a shiny new Kodak HD video camera tosssed in there, too. But that's just a sampling. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event. You MUST be present to win, but you'll know which basket is being raffled when, so you can plan accordingly.

Food: We've got two food sponsors tonight - light snacks and appetizers from Tasteful Connections, and pizza from Rochester's newest and coolest chain, Naked Pizza. Big thanks to them for supporting the event!

T-shirts: Your beloved Roc Twestival crew, YWCA staff, and our sponsors will be modeling them tonight, but you can own one, too! We'll have a table for taking orders - $10 a shirt and Crazy Dog has generously agreed to ship them for free. A portion of the sales will go directly to the YWCA.

Donation jars: Keep an eye out for donation jars around the bar. Anything tossed in here will go directly to the YWCA. We've got $5,000 to raise tonight! Let's do work.

Please check out our social media press release too, chocked full of information about our cause, and complete with links to all of the media coverage we've received thus far.

Have I convinced you yet? Take a look at the esteemed list of Rochesterians already signed up to come - who wouldn't want to be in the company of these fine folks. Join us!

And finally, if you can't attend, but want to help us reach that goal of $6,500, please visit our FirstGiving page, which will be accepting donations up to a week after the event. Every little bit helps!

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us put on such a great event, to our friends for spreading the word, and to all of YOU for showing Rochester that social media for social good ..is going to be a great success. See you tonight!

-Kaleigh/@kaleighsimmons
 

The Sinzibukwud Band (pronounced Sin-zee-buck-wood) needs no introduction to the Rochest Twestival community. Why? Because the band has not missed one Twestival out of the four that have been held in Rochester (two local events, and two Global Twestival events). And now in 2011, Sinzibukwud will be making its fifth Rochester Twestival appearance.

The band takes its unique name from the Native American word meaning, “drawn from the wood”. When the band first started, the two original members, Tom (TC) Chamberlain and Aaron Hunt played strictly acoustic instruments and decided to honor the fact that their instruments were made out of wood.

A little while later, the band decided to add two more members in Larry Kovnat and Jon Renault. Armed with a full sound and an impressive catalog of more than 100 covers and originals, Sinzibukwud began to make its way in becoming a classic act around Monroe and surrounding counties.

So, what can you expect from Sinzibukwud at the Twestival this year? More of the same great music and fun that they’ve provided in the past! And, if you haven’t heard them yet, prepare yourself for a cornucopia of classic rock songs from the likes of The Allman Brothers Band, Rolling Stones, Black Crows, Grateful Dead, The Beatles, and many more. Also, the band will inject some originals into the set list that contain the same amount of energy and fun vibes that their covers provide.

As a staple of the Rochester Twestival, the team would like to thank Sinzibukwud for being so dedicated to the cause and for being so eager, time after time, to help us make the event a success. If you’re interested in catching the band live after the Twestival, they’ll be playing Finn’s Inn Bar & Grill in Palmyra on April 2, and they’ll be playing Monty’s Krown, located on Monroe Ave., on April 9. You can connect with Sinzibukwud on Twitter, Facebook, and on YouTube.

Thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts, to Sinzibukwud, and to all of the bands this year, for participating in the Rochester Twestival and for being dedicated to helping out such a worthwhile cause.Something Else, Eight Beat Measure, and Moho Collective—thank you!

Tickets for Rochester Twestival are now $15 and are available online until Thursday afternoon. The price will be $20 at the door.

Peace, love, & rock ‘n’ roll –

Rich Pulvino / @rpulvino