By Andrea McVeigh.

Combine the best elements of a one-night festival with the power of Twitter and what have you got? A Twestival of course!

It's coming to Belfast this Thursday and it's all in a good cause - raising money for the charity Concern Worldwide.

Twestival is a global celebration of technology's power to unite people and achieve social good.

And Belfast will be joining in with 300 other cities across the globe on the day, with music from local acts the Cutaways, Ram's Pocket Radio and Seven Summits.

The Belfast bash was organised on Twitter, right down to finding the ideal venue - Slide, at 10a Ann Street, in Belfast city centre - through to sourcing bands and raffle prizes and organising board games for the venue (so think fun and games with Operation, Connect 4 and Battleships).

Its two organisers even met through tweets - how's that for social networking!

It all offers a night with a difference, for the pocket-friendly price of £5 - tickets are available through the blog at www.belfast.twestival.com .

Capturing the benefits of Twitter, local companies and twitters have generously donated some fantastic raffle prizes.

There are mouth-watering cupcakes from Marshmallow Grove, a ticket for four for Coasteering from Adventure Team Ireland, gig tickets courtesy of the Black Box and deadonmusic, plus meal vouchers from Little Wing Pizzeria, Oodles loves Noodles and cinema vouchers from QFT Belfast - and more!

While the Belfast Twestival promises to be an evening of fun, the organisers are keen to stress the reason why Twestival is taking place.

Concern was chosen as the Twestival charity for 2010 because of its comprehensive approach to education and its dedication to ensuring that 100 per cent of the money raised goes directly into projects, which can have an immediate and profound impact on the lives of people around the world.

"Twestival is such a fantastic example of the difference that can be made when individuals join together to volunteer and take action," says Karen Gallagher from Concern Northern Ireland (www.concern.net ).

"School helps children develop the skills they need to make themselves heard in the world, to make positive changes in their own lives and ultimately break free from poverty.

"Yet at least 72 million children across the world, many of whom are girls, are not enrolled in school.

"Thanks to the support of Twestival we will be able to do so much more.

"Our education programmes will bring real, long-term improvements to local communities, helping thousands of children to get access to a primary education and the chance of a brighter future."

The Belfast even is organised by volunteers and all the money from ticket sales and donations goes directly into Concern's projects.

For more info, visit www.twestival.com .