Ashvegas Hot Sheet: Isaac Coleman, civil rights advocate in Asheville, dies

Share

More of what’s going around:

Isaac Coleman, a longtime advocate for civil rights and social justice in Buncombe County, has died, reports the Buncombe County Democratic Party. Coleman was second vice chairman of the party and recent candidate for Buncombe County Commissioner. “From his days as a Freedom Rider in the 1960s up to today he continued to be a tireless advocate for social justice and civil rights for all,” the party said in a statement.

Hotel occupancy numbers for Buncombe County in February 2016 showed a 6.3 percent increase (from 54.8 to 58.2) compared to February of last year, according to Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority statistics. The numbers back up what tourism officials have been saying: that Asheville saw a strong winter tourism. The average daily room rate for February 2016 was $112.49, compared to $103.15 the same month last year, a 9.1 percent increase, according to the numbers.

Filming of the Dirty Dancing remake has started this week at the High Hampton Inn in Cashiers.

-Aloft Asheville Downtown will kick off its 2016 Sundays Live@Aloft music series with a live performance by Hank West and the Smokin’ Hots from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on May 29, according to a press release. The event is open to the public and a suggested $5 donation will benefit Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. Here’s more:

Held on the hotel’s rooftop Air Level, the event offers spectacular mountain views surrounding downtown Asheville. Aloft’s W XYZ bar will feature local craft brews, cocktail favorites and light snacks.

The other dates are:
• June 26th featuring Jim Arrendell and the Cheap Suits and benefitting The Genesis Alliance

• August 28th featuring Juan Benavides Group and benefitting Friends of Connect Buncombe

• September 25th benefitting LEAF Foundation (entertainment TBD)

• October 30th benefitting Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue (entertainment TBD)
The 2016 Live@Aloft series will feature a raffle fundraiser, and $5 raffle tickets will be on sale at each event. The grand prize is a package donated by Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort that is valued at $600 and includes a one night stay at the resort, dinner for two at Chef’s Stage Buffet, and breakfast for two at Selu Garden Café. The winner will be announced at the last Live@Aloft event in October.