After decades of stillness, the historic site of Rabbit’s Motel and Cafe has been resurrected in a major way, thanks to the efforts of local musicians Claude Coleman Jr. ( the drummer of rock band Ween) and bassist Brett Spivey. In 2020, the duo launched SoundSpace @ Rabbit’s, an affordable music rehearsal studio.
The increased attention and plaudits paid to high-profile Black chefs in America in recent years simultaneously sheds ambient light on their overall scarcity.
What was very old gets new life, in the form of Asheville’s first music rehearsal facility. The grand opening of SoundSpace@Rabbit’s was celebrated Saturday, Dec. 5 — the site of what was once the Rabbit’s Motel and soul food cafe. Caption: SoundSpace, Asheville’s first public multi-use artist space, celebrates grand opening.
A three year revitalization project taking place inside of Asheville, North Carolina’s historic Southside neighborhood has come to fruition with the opening of SoundSpace @ Rabbit’s, the city’s first public access music rehearsal facility.
Claude Coleman Jr. (pictured) and partner Brett Spivey see future promise in Asheville’s historic Rabbit’s Motel building. As Asheville’s tourism economy continues to boom, so does its real estate market-making it harder for many musicians to find rehearsal space. But where most saw only a conundrum, Claude Coleman Jr.
A three year revitalization project taking place inside of Asheville, North Carolina’s historic Southside neighborhood has come to fruition with the opening of SoundSpace @ Rabbit’s, the city’s first public access music rehearsal facility.
Since 2004, a property on McDowell Street in Asheville has been a drive-by source of curiosity. Judging from the appearance of the building, it might be hard to imagine what the Rabbit’s Motel meant to folks — especially, the Black community. Caption: WLOS.
An internationally beloved musician, Claude Coleman, Jr. would often find himself in Asheville while on tour drumming with his band, iconic rock juggernaut Ween. Each time wandering through, he would become more enamored with this region. So much so, Coleman relocated here from New Jersey in 2012.&n…
