05.03.2023

Today’s Forecast

59º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 6:36 a.m. | Sunset 8:18 p.m.

🎬 Roll camera, Asheville

10 new film projects in the Asheville area

Where the “bad guys” hang out in new sci-fi series The Peripheral. | Photo from the Madison County Chamber of Commerce

From reports of Diane Keaton roaming around town to Asheville’s first-ever Hallmark Movie, “A Biltmore Christmas” — our city has been buzzing with cinemagic over the last few years.

Here are seven film projects that are newly available or currently in production.

Available now

The Peripheral | This time-bending science fiction thriller series goes between London and the Blue Ridge Mountains and filmed a ton of its scenes in Marshall. It debuted at the end of 2022 — watch season one on Amazon Prime.

Black in Asheville | This film explores the Black experience of Asheville, from the Antebellum period to the Civil War to modern-day. See a screening at Black Wall Street on Friday, May 26 at 6 p.m. as part of GrindFest.

Joyland | While not filmed in WNC, this 2022 Cannes Film Festival winner was written by Asheville screenwriter Maggie Briggs. Based in Pakistan, the movie explores the many sides of love and desire in a patriarchal society. See it at Grail Moviehouse starting Friday, May 5.

Behind the scenes at "A Biltmore Christmas." — Morning snow flurries dusted the film site of “A Biltmore Christmas.”
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Photo by AVLtoday

In production

Summer Camp | Starring Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Eugene Levy and Beverly D’Angelo, this feature film follows the story of three childhood best friends who return for an adult summer camp reunion. It’s currently filming in Hendersonville.

A Biltmore Christmas | This holiday movie stars a modern-day screenwriter who is transported back to a 1946 film set at Biltmore, with plenty of ensuing romance. It’s expected to debut in November 2023.

Shadow of a Wheel | This documentary from Bonesteel Films chronicles the story of the 31 kids who biked across the country in 1982. It premieres on PBS on Thursday, July 6.

Bloom! | This animated short from Asheville director Zachary Gladwin follows the story of a young teen who awakes from a hypnotic trance in a strange land and seeks to escape his lonely existence.

Events

Wednesday, May 3

Lucinda Williams | Wednesday, May 3 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville | $39.50-$45 | This pioneering, Louisiana-born artist returns to her gritty blues foundation in her 20th anniversary tour.
Music to Your Ears: Special Guest Jody Carroll | Wednesday, May 3 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $10-$20 | Listen to a conversation between Bill Kopp and blues musician Jody Carroll, followed by a concert the following evening — email for tickets.

Thursday, May 4

Storewide and Backstock Sale | Thursday, May 4-Friday, May 5 | Times vary | North Carolina Glass Center, 140 Roberts St. Ste. C, Asheville | Free | Find exquisite, original works of glass at this spring cleaning sale.
Re-wild your Space | Thursday, May 4 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Weaverville Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville | Free | Learn practical tips on how to re-wild your land (or balcony) to support a healthy habitat for butterflies, birds, native plants — there will also be tips on yard foraging + recipes for spring greens.
May the Fourth Be With You | Thursday, May 4 | 5 p.m. | The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd. Ste. 10, Asheville | Free | Dress in your finest Star Wars apparel for this Beer City Comic Con ribbon cutting and networking event.

Friday, May 5

Pack Square Artisan Market | Friday, May 5-Friday, Oct. 27 | 1-8 p.m. | N. Pack Square, N. Pack Sq., Asheville | Free | This family-friendly, juried market features handmade goods from local + independent artists.
Chamber Challenge 5k Race | Friday, May 5 | 4-6 p.m. | Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave., Asheville | $45 | Run a 5K through hilly Montford at this friendly competition between businesses in the Asheville area.
Full Moon Forest Bathing | Friday, May 5 | 7:45-10:45 p.m. | Olivette Riverside Community & Farm, 1069 Olivette Rd., Asheville | $45 | Enjoy a gentle, mindful stroll along the French Broad River as the sun sets and the full moon rises.

Saturday, May 6

BeLoved Asheville Raise Another Home Auction | Saturday, May 6 | 5-10 p.m. | AB Tech Mission Event Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr., Asheville | $50-$100 | Bid on auction items, eat food prepared by Joe Scully of Chestnut and Tori from Sage & Spice Catering, and enjoy tunes from DJ Nex Millen — all while raising money for deeply affordable housing.
BLISS or Biltmore Lake Imaginative Studio Stroll | Saturday, May 6 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Biltmore Lake community, 80 Lake Dr., Candler | Free | Meet outstanding resident + guest artists who will show and sell their works in a full variety of mediums, enjoy an art tour, then walk or drive to home studios showing a variety of art and craft.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

The City of Asheville has commissioned a missing middle housing study. The study will consider which regulations are hindering efforts to build more housing, as well as strategies to incentivize the development of more middle housing. The study is expected to take one year. (WLOS)

Open

The Golden Goat Gallery, a new boutique hemp + smoke shop, has opened in Swannanoa at 2338 US 70 Hwy. The store features hemp-derived cannabis products, local glass, and snacks and drinks from around the world.

Traffic

Montford’s Hill Street will close nightly from Sunday, May 7 through Saturday, May 13 for a stormwater culvert replacement + paving project. Closures will take place from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. each evening.

Active

Care for some kickball? On Saturday, May 13, Pisgah Brewing Company and Asheville Sport & Social Club are teaming up to present the Cup In Hand Kickball Tournament. Sign up as a team or free agent for this daylong tournament. Registration is $15 and includes a complimentary cocktail (or mocktail), plus an after-party.

Ranked

Buxton Hall BBQ has been ranked the No. 5 most popular BBQ spot in the state by BetCarolina.com. The ranking was determined by search volume from May 1, 2022-Sept. 6, 2022. The nearby Little Switzerland-based Switzerland Cafe also came in at No. 3. We’ll have to take a pit stop at these places soon.

Shop

In a planty mood? Check out the Black Mountain Beautification Committee’s garden sale on Friday, May 19-Saturday, May 20. The 18th annual sale will feature everything from annuals and carnivorous plants to trees and vegetable starts. There will also be garden décor and a bake sale.

Featured

The Asheville Ideas Fest got a nod from The Washington Post for the vision behind the intellectual festival. Hosted by UNC Asheville, the four-day event happening June 13-17 gathers some of the country’s top thinkers and doers (paired with music, food, craft beer, and more). Get details + register.*

Featured Home

This move-in ready 3 BD, 3 BA home offers main-level living with a screened-in back deck, fenced-in yard + detached two-car garage. Recently updated with a new roof, heat pump, and hardwood floors, this home marries the comforts of a quiet neighborhood with the convenience of being 10 minutes from AVL.*

Finance

The average retirement savings by age may be shocking, but it’s not too late to seek advice. A financial advisor could help increase your returns and alleviate stress. Try this free tool to get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area.*

Fun Fact

National Beverage Day is this Saturday, May 6. In celebration, we’re featuring some of our Six & Main beverage brands across our markets including Blanchard’s Coffee, a|dash, Sarilla, Matcha Nude, and more. Start sipping now.

Kids

The perfect family-friendly activity does exist, and you can even do it all spring and summer long, rain or shine. We’re talking about Kids Bowl Free — a national program that connects you with local bowling alleys where kids can receive two free games of bowling each day. Learn more + sign up.

Eat

Food

Celebrate Mexican culture at Luis Martinez’s OaxaPunk Pop-up

Luis in Oaxaca, Mexico. | Photo provided

At his upcoming OaxaPunk Pop-up, Asheville chef Luis Martinez wants to poke fun at Cinco de Mayo.

To him, a Mexican-born immigrant, US celebrations of the holiday often feel like a “caricature of Mexican culture” — so he’s decided to put a fresh spin on the festivities with a party of his own. OaxaPunk will be at Citizen Vinyl on Friday, May 5 from 6 to 9 p.m.

It will feature punk rock Latin American music, Oaxacan food, and desserts from pastry all-star Camille Cogswell. The event will also be educational, highlighting Luis’ fair-trade initiative Tequio Foods, along with other organizations working to improve healthcare and quality of life for WNC’s Latino population.

As for the menu: expect smoked beef tacos, mole tamales, tostadas, and Luis’ signature pozole. And for dessert, rice milk custard pie and chile-spiced carrot cake. Ay dios mio, we cannot wait.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Laura

From the editor

Want to get more connected with the local film scene? Give AVL Film a follow — the page shares weekly updates on events, workshops, screenings, and other happenings in the film community, such as WCU’s upcoming Controlled Chaos Film Festival. And check out this recent Mountain Xpress feature on youth filmmaking classes.

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