On set with “A Biltmore Christmas”

Everything we know about “A Biltmore Christmas”

Behind the scenes at "A Biltmore Christmas."

Morning snow flurries dusted the film site of “A Biltmore Christmas.” | Photo by AVLtoday

Though Biltmore Estate has hosted plenty of film crews, its partnership with the Hallmark Channel is a first.

Biltmore’s first-ever holiday movie “A Biltmore Christmas” wraps on filming this week. But before the elves pack everything away, the AVLtoday team had the chance for a behind the scenes visit at the snowy film set.

Here’s everything we know about the film so far.

The gorgeous holiday decor in the Conservatory is truly show-stopping.

Where they filmed

According to producer Andrew Gernhard, the film’s screenwriter Marcy Holland worked with Biltmore to craft an intimate understanding of the Estate and wrote the script with certain locations in mind.

“Because it’s winter and everything is so gorgeous here you can almost shoot anywhere. Every place has something magical to it, whether it’s the Conservatory, the inside, the main hall, even the front grounds,” said Gernhard.

Of the 15-day film schedule, 13 days have been allocated to Biltmore, with about a week inside Biltmore House and the rest of the time in the gardens, along the Estate’s exterior, and on the outskirts of the property.

Travis Tatham, Biltmore’s Director of Destination Entertainment and Events, shared that George Vanderbilt’s library, the Tapestry Gallery, Winter Garden, Conservatory, and Banquet Hall also saw the limelight.

A Biltmore Christmas lead actors — Actors Bethany Joy Lenz, left, and Kristoffer Polaha, right.

The story

The movie stars Bethany Joy Lenz as modern-day screenwriter Lucy Collins, who’s been hired to rewrite the script of a holiday movie that was originally filmed at Biltmore House in 1947. When touring the house for research, she suddenly finds herself transported back to 1946 when the original “His Merry Bride!” was preparing to film.

Without giving too much away, it’s here that Lucy meets the 1940s-era lead actor Jack Huston (played by Kristoffer Polaha) who may very well be her soulmate. What unfolds next is a journey through time that challenges the boundaries of love and Christmas spirit.

WHERE AND WHEN TO WATCH

Which movie was not filmed at Biltmore?

A. Cinderella
B. Richie Rich
C. The Odd Life of Timothy Green
D. Hannibal

CAMERA, ROLL (THE DICE)

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Wednesday, Jan. 25

Mikasa Pop-up Dinner | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 6 p.m. | The Times Bar & Coffee Shop, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville | Free entry | Chef Santiago Vargas is serving up Nikkei-style dishes paired with Japanese-inspired cocktails from The Times Bar & Coffee Shop and Beam Suntory spirits.
Decent People In Conversation | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 6 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Center for Fiction First Novel Prize-winning author De’Shawn Charles Winslow discusses his new novel “Decent People” with Jonathan Parks-Ramage.

Thursday, Jan. 26

Property Value Appeal Clinic | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Ingles, 575 New Leicester Hwy., Asheville | Free | Join Land of the Sky Association of Realtors to better understand the market value of your property and how it affects your property assessment + property taxes.
The Naughty New Year Showcase | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 6-9 p.m. | Rhubarb, 7 SW Pack Sq., Asheville | $35 | This 21-and-up event features a range of seductive experiences, including a product display from VaVaVooom, sensual burlesque performances, and live caricature drawings from Paul Choi of Bad Drawings.

Friday, Jan. 27

Creative Mornings: Jocelyn Mosser on Sanctuary | Friday, Jan. 27 | 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O’Henry Ave., Asheville | Free | This month’s creative networking event features a discussion about sanctuary with area artist + psychotherapist Jocelyn Mosser— register ahead of time to secure your ticket.
GENSMAK! Game Demo | Friday, Jan. 27 | 5-8 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe, 162 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free | Come learn to play new party trivia game GENSMAK and get a discount code on your own copy.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Color Machine Music | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 4-6 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge- South Slope Lounge, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | Free | This singer-songwriter plays tunes inspired by artists like Nathaniel Rateliff, The Avett Brothers, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Sunday, Jan. 29

Dumplings From Around the World | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Asheville Mountain Kitchen, 332 E. Sondley Dr., Asheville | $85 | Learn how to make various Asian dumplings, steamed buns, and pierogi.
Sunday Brunch | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Jettie Rae’s Oyster House, 143 Charlotte St., Asheville | $75 | Chef Will Cisa has curated a special, one-off brunch menu featuring savory seafood dishes and sweet treats, including buttermilk biscuits with caviar butter, crabcake Benedict, and olive oil cake.

Monday, Jan. 30

ASHEVILLAINS - Local Comedy Showcase & Fundraiser | Monday, Jan. 30 | 7-9 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 28 Broadway St., Asheville | $17-$22 | This local comedy showcase is produced by Modelface Comedy and features Mario Trevizo, Ryan Cox, and host Marlene Thompson.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

What is Tai Chi and Is it Right for Me? | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | 1561 Alexander Rd., Leicester | Free | This introductory class focuses on the health benefits of Tai Chi and the history of the practice as an art form.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

55º | Showers | 100% chance of rain

Number

$2.5 million. That’s how much money Buncombe County has been allotted from the federal government for community-based public health responses to violence. The county is now accepting proposals from providers who are interested in using these funds for community healing initiatives, mental health support, and coalition building. See application details.

Try This

This weekend, the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts will transform into a comedy club as part of a multi-month series with The Comedy Zone. Headliner Shaun Jones and Jason Allen King will kick off the festivities — and new headliners will arrive in February and May. Get tickets. 🎙️

Outdoors

We’ve got an update on the Ecusta Trail. A six-mile portion that connect Hendersonville to Brevard is expected to begin construction this summer, pending construction permits. 🛣️ (Asheville Citizen-Times)
We missed an important group in Monday’s article on the Year of the Trail: Carolina Mountain Club. This 100-year-old group leads free weekly hikes and will have a special celebration for its centennial on Sunday, July 16. 🥾

Biz

All Souls Pizza has brought on local chef Trevor Payne (owner of Tall John’s) as a new owner. Payne is partnering with co-owner Brendan Reusing to update the restaurant’s menu and refine its pizza dough recipe. See the new menu, which includes soft serve ice cream and specials like duck leg confit and farinata. 🍕

Trending

Local meadery and cidery TreeRock Social has shared that it may have to close in March due to financial issues. Support the Veteran-owned business by stopping by for a drink (or three).

Ashevillian

Dr. Blake Fagan, a family physician who specializes in opioid treatment, represented MAHEC at the White House yesterday, Jan. 24 for an event celebrating the passage of the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act. Stream the event. 🏥

Asked

OK, campers, rise and shine. Groundhog Day is right around the corner, and it’s got us thinking about what day in Asheville history we’d like to do over and over. Let us know yours and you may appear in a future newsletter.

The Word

Altura. Meaning height, altitude, a high place; It’s a tribute to the mountains surrounding AVL and symbolizes the newly renamed Altura Architects’ (formerly Samsel Architects) commitment to a high level of service + design excellence. See their recent work.*

Health

Walk-in, check-in, phone-in, or video-in? Mercy Urgent Care makes getting “urgent” care easy. (And with eight locations, healthcare is never too far away.)*

Eat

Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: AVLtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. 🍽️ *

Wellness

If one of your 2023 goals is to create more time for self care and relaxation, an acupressure mat is a must. The mats are designed to stimulate pressure points to relieve tension, decrease stress levels, and increase circulation. This ProsourceFit full body mat includes neck support.*

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This designer toy expo isn’t playing around

The Asheville Designer Toy Expo returns to action this February

These toys from local artist Daniel Suter will be at the expo. | Photo via @thewindigo

Move over, Rubik’s cubes and bouncy balls. *Assembly Required is bringing a fleet of innovative, off-the-wall, indie toys to the 828 at this year’s designer toy expo. The event, organized by local toy maker collective Unboxing Asheville, will take place at The Grey Eagle from Saturday, Feb. 4-Sunday, Feb. 5.

This annual expo made its Asheville debut in 2019, with the goal of exclusively highlighting avant-garde toys made by local and independent artists. The difference between these toys, as opposed to more mainstream ones, is that they’re intended for display rather than play.

Often, designer toy artists draw inspiration from “underground and subcultural elements.” Think: bubblegum horror, Black Sabbath action figures, and steampunk superheroes.

Intrigued? Here’s what to know before you go:

The event runs 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5.
Location: The Grey Eagle (185 Clingman Ave.).
Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids and include entry for both days.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Laura.

Editor’s pick: If you guessed “Cinderella” in the quiz above, you’re correct. The live action movie did not film at Biltmore, though it probably would’ve been a great site.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Play a game of “Would you Rather,” Asheville style.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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