WHAT: Live@Aloft featuring HoveyKat
WHEN: Sunday, July 26, 4-8 p.m.
WHERE: Aloft Asheville Downtown’s rooftop
WHY: When you’re bathing in the sounds of a talented musical act, physical surroundings are rarely the dominant thought. That’s not the case, however, for attendees of the Live@Aloft summer concert series, which pairs local performing artists with scenic mountain views from above downtown’s bustle. The next iteration on Sunday, July 26, features electronically-inclined jazz duo HoveyKat (Ben Hovey with Kat Williams) and benefits the Asheville Humane Society.
“Part of the Aloft culture around the country is to bring live music into the hotels,” Aloft Asheville Downtown’s general manager David McCartney says, noting that the hotel also hosts performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. “We added the Sunday concerts by the rooftop pool, because that area is typically never open for outside local people, so it makes [the events] very special.”
Each monthly concert involves a local nonprofit partner organization that benefits from the donation-based cover. Aloft piloted the fundraising concept last fall and, finding great success, expanded the 2015 lineup to include six months of programming running through late October.
On average, shows draw around 200-300 guests per night and raise approximately $1,000 for each participating nonprofit, McCartney says, and although beneficiaries have no obligation to set up a presence at events, Asheville Humane Society may have some small, fuzzy surprises planned.
“We are going to have the little plastic kiddie swimming pools for the [AHS] dogs,” McCartney says, adding that the animals will be adoptable in the instance of a fortuitous bond. “I think it will be warm, and the dogs will probably appreciate putting their feet in some water.”
Unlike the pooches, patrons won’t be allowed to cool off in Aloft’s pools — kiddie- or full-sized. Instead, Aloft’s W XYZ bar will stock at least two local brews, wine, mixed drinks and small bites for patrons needing refreshment.
“The music and the scenery take it from there,” McCartney says, “and folks tend to hang around, enjoy and dance.”
Visit aloftashevilledowntown.com for more information.
