When worlds collide: Keytar Bear and @BostonTweet team up

Two of Boston’s unsung heroes will come together Thursday to talk about their passions: tweeting and serenading crowds of MBTA commuters.

The embattled but beloved Keytar Bear will join @BostonTweet’s Tom O’Keefe during a rare double appearance Thursday night at General Assembly Boston.

Organizers described the event, called “Passion Projects: A Chat with Keytar Bear and @BostonTweet,” on The Boston Calendar: “Grab a beer and find out why the Bear is still busking despite a series of assaults and robberies. Hear how the Tweeter turned a hobby into a business with more than 140,000 followers.”

O’Keefe said he is a fan of Keytar Bear’s work. He has met the costumed performer at events around town, and frequently enjoys his street performances.

“It should be interesting because Keytar Bear is going to be in character,” said O’Keefe, who has gained nearly 150,000 Twitter followers thanks to his tweets on Boston city life. “The event has been getting a lot of attention. I’m just riding his coat tails.”

Shannon Keating, marketing manager for General Assembly Boston, said organizers wanted to put together a panel on a topic that would speak to a lot of people, and would be unique to Boston.

“Passion Projects seemed perfect; something you are excited or passionate about that starts as something fun and turns into something bigger than you thought it’d become,” said Keating. “We picked Keytar Bear and Tom because they are really out there in Boston, and a lot of people know of them but don’t know the motivation and inspiration of how they’ve started and why they keep doing it.”

Keytar Bear’s character isn’t very verbal – he tends to speak through his sweet, sweet music, so his involvement in a panel discussion should be interesting to say the least. One thing is for sure – he is bringing his keytar.

“Hopefully he gives us a performance,” said Keating.

Keytar Bear could not be reached for comment.

Interested Bostonians can sign up at Thewelcomingcommittee.com.