The YouTube phenomenon is moving from the virtual world to the real world, with YouTube users meeting face-to-face at informal gatherings across the country.
On Saturday, the DCTubeGathering will take place in at Floyd’s Bar and Grill in Alexandria, and event organizers are promising it will be a step above the rest, complete with entertainment, food, charity fundraisers, politics, and tourism promotion.
The event doesn’t have a single driving purpose, other than just to “have fun and support two local charities,” Houghton said.
The charities, Shaping America’s Health, an organization that seeks to reduce obesity, and Kids in Trouble, which targets at-risk children, will take donations.
Local entertainment acts, including bands, singers, comedians and salsa dance instructors, will headline the event, and YouTube “celebrities,” individuals whose videos have been viewed by many are invited.
YouTube gatherings have been held in San Francisco and New York City, and other events are being organized in Houston and Atlanta. The DCTubeGathering will be much larger in scope, according to Houghton, with as many as 2,000 attendees.
Metro-area native John Schneider is spearheading the festival.
He’s meeting with the Alexandria City Council and the Fun Side of the Potomac tourism group, to discuss ways to promote the city through the event, including the possibility of a video contest featuring the best sights from the city.
DCTubeGathering is not officially sanctioned by YouTube, although Houghton has been in conversations with the company, which has no objections.
Politics will also have a role, with a presidential straw poll that will be conducted and videotaping of questions to ask presidential candidates. Houghton said they will put the questions online, and perhaps YouTube will select them for the upcoming Republican debate being co-sponsored with CNN, similar to the Democratic debate held earlier.
The facility will be wired for Internet access, so YouTubers can stream video directly from the event.
They also can exchange tips and ideas about filming the videos, and organizers hope to line up some camera equipment vendors.
