I’m really going to try to get into the habit of doing these Publisher’s Letters.

In case you’re interested, my excuses for why I haven’t are that 1, I work basically all of the time, it’s obscene. (It’s worth saying, though, that I love my job; otherwise I wouldn’t put in all that time.) 2, All of the work we’re doing is to push a solid 5 to 10 projects forward, each of which I’m stoked about (and each of which you’ll be hearing about in my upcoming letters). 3, I am a very thorough and thoughtful editor, especially of myself, and I can barely get through a sentence without refining some phrase or punctuation maybe two, three times if I’m lucky, four or five if I’m not. 4, I wasn’t sure if anyone would be very interested in what I do (the sales, marketing and development side of AltDaily). And talking about it seemed kind of vain.

But then I figured, people are always asking me about work and what we’re doing, so they must be somewhat interested. And then I realized that it would actually maximize my time to update as many people as I can at once. And I also realized that, you know what, I am kind of vain, so whatever.

Now that those excuses are out of the way, on to the crux of my second-ever Publisher’s Letter, which is to stoke you out on an event that we’ve been really proud to help put together: Ale, Art & Avett!

Cowboy hat, Ray Bans, AND a beard?! How could any hipster girl resist? (Photo by Lacy Turner)

I’d basically decided a long time ago that Scott Avett and I were meant to be together–and this was back even before they had come up to Hampton Roads for that first Discovery Music Series show at the Attucks. So when the folks over at The Ted invited us to help make their concert tonight even bigger and better, I was so all over it. Granted, Scott is married and has a baby girl, so I won’t be stalking him (too much) later. But like a lot of locals who’ve seen these small-town Carolina boys go from playing the Attucks to playing the Harrison Opera House to playing the Grammys with Mumford & Sons and Bob Dylan (for Chrissakes!)–it was certainly an opportunity that we did not want to miss.

Just as the Facebook event page says, Ale, Art & Avett brings together some of the best that Norfolk has to offer; including some killer live performances, some very cool local vendors and artisans, and of course great food and drink.

But to put it bluntly, we’ve worked to put together a really awesome pre-game party so that we can start carousing two hours earlier.

Doors are at 6. Your concert ticket gets you in. The party’s right on the plaza in front of The Ted (or moved into the lobby in case it starts to rain).

Here’s who’s in and what’s going on. On the main outdoor stage:

The Two Dollar Bill Band, kicking things off with a little badass bluegrass.

The Later Sun, with some luscious folk music from a collective of your local faves; including, in particular, one Mr. Jake Hull (of Momentary Prophets fame), to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for helping put together the whole event.

Rodeo Clown--hometown honky-tonk, with a little whisky and wry.

Rodeo Clown, another great and well-loved local band, known for their boot-stompin’ honky-tonk and raucous, rowdy style.

Performing around the plaza: Mike Federali, doing his acoustic singer-songwriter thing. And Chris Bailey, changing things up with some way decent beatboxing.

At the booths:

Vicki Bahr, Michelle Odom, and Soraia Gobin; or, to put it in terms that I think we can all understand and get behind, cute girls with crafts. They’ll have a triple booth with all the supplies one would need to make some sweet goodies and takeaways.

Charlie Restless/Shadowlawn Creepers, all their swag and their cornhole boards. I’ll be the one challenging everybody to play me for beers. And speaking of…

The food and bev situation:

Fish & chips. BBQ. Microbrews. (You know how we do.)

So come hang out! Live your life! Enjoy the last remnants of summer in the best way that AltDaily knows how! See you tonight!!!