Vancouver has always been labeled as Hollywood North and you never know who you’re going to see on your morning run or sitting at your Starbucks. There have been LOADS of sightings in the past week of celebrities around Vancouver. Here’s the lowdown:

Owen Wilson and John Cusack were both spotted at the Cactus Club in Yaletown last Saturday night. I have this knowledge from a first hand source. Apparently, Mr. Cusack was outside playing with his bike, while Mr. Wilson was inside drinking. Owen Wilson is no stranger to this particular Cactus Club location. I heard from another source that he was on the patio on another occasion with friends. He was also spotted at Opus Bar last Thursday (I was supposed to go there that night but didn’t… urg). Unfortunately, Owen’s movie, Night at the Museum 2, wraps up filming today. Perhaps he’ll give Vancouver nightlife one last go before he leaves?… Here’s hoping. John Cusack is scheduled to be in Vancouver until December 12th filming Farewell Atlantis (aka 2012) with Amanda Peet. After dining near John in May at the Wolseley in London, I’m hoping I’ll catch him again in Vancouver…

Last Saturday was a busy night for celebrities out in Vancouver, The Rock, aka Dwayne Johnson, was spied partying in the VIP area at Republic. He’s here filming Tooth Fairy with Ashley Judd until November 21st. I also hear he is working out at the Steve Nash Sports Club… hmm…. time for me to get back on the gym train.

Ready for another celebrity spotting? Thought so… Jesse Metcalfe of Desperate Housewives fame has been frequenting the basketball courts at the David Lam Park in Yaletown. I have seen the pictures to prove it… unfortunately, I can’t post them here. Sorry, kids. But let me tell you, he’s not looking in tip top shape these days - there’s a bit of a tire around his waist. Jesse was accompanied once or twice by his co-star, Erika Christensen. Also, I hear Jesse recently had a run in with the bouncers at Bar None. They wouldn’t let him in when he started mouthing off. Apparently he dropped the “don’t you know who I am” line and the bouncers weren’t impressed. Awesome.

Here’s a list of what’s currently filming in Vancouver:

Farewell Atlantis (2012) - filming until December 12th
Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover

Side note:
Want a Vancouver story about Woody Harrelson? A few years ago, a friend of a friend was resting on her bike on the sea wall between Science World and Granville Island when a stranger approached and asked her if he could borrow her bike. It was Woody, running the sea wall. Guess he wanted to switch it up and go for a bike ride, perhaps training for a triathalon. She lent him the bike and he returned it later. Weird.

Want another story? A few years ago, John Cusack was in town filming and started dating a local girl (this time a friend of a friend of a friend - got that?). My source says that he actually made her a mix tape. Not a CD, a tape. Love it.

Who knows how true these two stories are, or how much they’ve been embellished, but still great to hear to some gossip…

Cats & Dogs 2 - filming until December 7th
Starring: Chris O’Donnell

Night at the Museum 2 - sorry guys, this one is scheduled to finish today… fingers crossed they are behind schedule.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Ricky Gervais (I spied him on Granville Island), Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria, Dick van Dyke, Eugene Levy

Tooth Fairy - filming until November 21st
Starring: Dwayne Johnson (The Rock), Ashley Judd, Billy Crystal, Julie Andrews (yes, it’s true, both Mary Poppins and Bert the Chimney Sweep are in town)

Tortured - filming until October 2nd
Starring: Jesse Metcalfe, Erika Christensen

With all of these celebrities in town, the hottest parties this weekend will be for the Vancouver International Film Festival. Rumour has it that John Cusack and Woody Harrelson will be in attendance, and Julianne Moore and Danny Glover will be at the premiere for their film, Blindness. Also, Anne Hathaway will be making an appearance promoting her film, Rachel Gets Married. I may have to brush up on my party crashing skills…

Have any of you had a brush with a celebrity recently?