Matthew Lillard hanging with pals at SXSW

Capped off the night with a Matthew Lillard sighting. As he walked past me I said, “Hey Matthew Lillard, what’s up?” He smiled.

When I got a tip that Jennifer Aniston was in town on day three, I got my butt in gear and my feet moving early Monday morning. Alas, it was a false alarm.

Instead, I went down to the Paramount Theater for the Girls premiere and saw Judd Apatow.

I then wandered around and checked out the Pure Volume Lounge before heading over to ACL Live for Amex’s Jay Z show. I met Stacey Dash out front. She’s my friend because we both know what it’s like to have people be jealous of you.

I was kinda bummed I couldn’t do the 21 red carpet, but I felt better when I met Bryan Greenberg and Justin Long. Following the show, I hit up the Austin Chronicle Film Bash where I swear I saw Melissa Leo (but her badge said otherwise).

Day four of celeb spotting at SXSW 2012 wasn’t quite as exciting as its three predecessors, but it did bring the party that my PIC (partner in crime) Holly called her favorite party ever!

Laura Prepon from That 70’s Show

The AMD Vision Party hosted by Robert Rodriguez went down at the Jack and Jim Gallery at ACL Live. Robert spoke about the TV Network he’s launching for second generation Hispanics called El Rey as well as the VISIONary Young Director’s contest he is launching with AMD.

The contest gives aspiring filmmakers have the chance to win a trip to Austin City Limits in October and a face-to-face meeting with Robert Rodriguez. Winners will also get a chance to get their hands on cutting edge film editing technology from Hewlett-Packard. Click here to enter the contest.

Bob Schneider was seen in the crowd once the music began. I conquered my fear and finally took a pics with him. You can see by my expression that I was still a bit scared.

Posing with Bob Schneider

In other parts of town, Jamie Chung from The Real World fame was spotted. She is apparently sticking around for the rest of the festival to have some fun and attend a premiere of her movie Eden on Thursday.

Austin Native Marshall Allman snapped pics with fans at his film’s premiere while Demi Lovato played the Austin Rodeo.

But my favorite sighting so far was Lionel Richie, who snapped a pic with one of my pals at a CVS in North Austin.

Wednesday’s celeb spotting began with a quick stop at Pure Volume where I was pleasantly surprised by a performance from Wild Belle. That was followed by a few stops on 6th Street and a tweet from a friend saying she sighted Maggie Gyllenhaal at Bar 96.

From there, I headed to the SXSW 2012 music kickoff event at the Jack and Jim Gallery at ACL where Electric Touch jammed out in 3D. My friend was so taken with the boys, she snapped a pic with each and every one of them.

Not long after that, I got a text that Pauly D is in Austin followed by a sighting of MC Hammer at the Belmont.  

Meanwhile, I was at the Austin Music Awards, where I ran into FOX 7′s Lauren Petrowski. The awards featured a performance by Christopher Cross of Sailing fame. But the big highlight of the night was when The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, took the stage with Alejandro Escovedo and Joe Ely.

Patti Griffin and Robert Plant were also at the awards while Metro Station showed up elsewhere in town. I don’t really give a toot about them, but apparently some people like that tatted up Trace Cyrus (brother of Miley).

The VH1 Rock Docs party was next.  I saw Billy Corgin again accompanied by Sean Parker and the other guy who invented Napster. No one knows who he is because Justin Timberlake didn’t play him in a movie.

When I got a text that Lionel Richie was playing next door and anyone was welcome, I took off running. I got there just before he took the stage and got a spot right up front. To say the concert was awesome would be an understatement. I refuse to call it epic, but it was.

He played all the old hits and the crowd went crazy. I went crazy. And when Kenny Rogers joined him on stage for Lady, it was wild. By the time the show ended, both Holly and I were tweeting that this is the Best. SXSW. Ever.

By 11 am, my day 6 of SXSW 2012 celeb spotting already rocked.

Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D

I woke up early to headed over to the KGSR live broadcast at the W. I got very lucky and snagged a third row seat while Blitzen Trapper was playing. When they finished, two special guests were escorted in and I almost screamed. It was Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D fame. They didn’t sing but they did chat for a bit about their new album. 

Once they left it was time for Ingrid Michaelson to perform, which was my entire reason for being there.

I hit the Hard Rock Hotel Sounds of Your Stay Lounge at the Cedar Door next. I was given a tour and learned about the program they have at the hotels where guests can have a fully interactive music experience in their hotel rooms. 

I also snapped a pic with Downtown Julie Brown before hitting the streets to pick up more creds.

After a brief break from the morning’s festivities, I went by the Motorola Cafe at Moonshine where Brad Womack and his crew were hanging out. I then met up with friends at the S.O.Terik party at Clive where Kimbra played.

Semi Precious Weapons

Hit the Hard Rock Hotels SXSW 2012 Music Lounge again after that and got to meet the band I always make a point to see, Semi Precious Weapons. I chatted with the guys and snapped a pic while The X Factor UK winner Cher Lloyd hung in the artist area.

Next, I made my way over to MTV’s Woodie Awards to catch a pre-show appearance from Fun. They were having all kinds of tech issues and were completely out of beer. So, I bolted without ever seeing the boys. 

In other celeb sighting news, Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde attended their premiere and apparently one of them was gracious and nice to fans. Heather Graham made a stop at Buffalo Billiards. Friday Night Lights’ Matt Lauria (Luke) and his wife, musician Michelle Armstrong, performed a morning show at the Traffic Records party at Whole Foods.

I ended the day at Haven where Austin’s own Riverboat Gamblers played before the greatest band ever. Jack Black and Kyle Gass hit the stage and played songs from their new Tenacious D album followed by fan faves Wonder Boy, Tribute and that one I can’t print the name of here.

On the way back to my pal’s place I passed Chris Masterson on the street. I really do seem to cross paths with everyone.

I missed the Bobby Bones Show on Friday, which featured an in house interview with Lacey Schwimmer from So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. I hear she’s not so nice. She talked about how she enjoys being at clubs where she can make fun of everyone. Wow, mean girl.

I hit the Motorola Cafe at Moonshine for lunch where I saw the Sunset Strip Documentary gang hanging out. The group includes Guns and Roses/Velvet Revolver member Matt Sorum, Kim Fowley and actor/ producer Donovan Leitch. Fowley was Doris Day’s publicist at the ripe old age of 19 and also managed The Runaways in the 70s.

The Spin party at Stubbs was next on the agenda. I watched The Big Pink and chatted with my friend Sarah who was on a hardcore search for Adam Duritz of The Counting Crows. I’ve always wondered how he bagged hotties like Courtney Cox and Jen Aniston. I guess Sarah understands.

When I got a tip about some action going on at the Choir of Young Believers show at the Mohawk, I took off. Rooney Mara of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was shooting what I assume to be the Terrence Malick flick that was also being shot at Fun Fun Fun Fest and ACL.

While watching the B.O.B. set at The Hard Rock Hotels SOYS Music Lounge, I was highly entertained by the girls of Open 24 Hours watching from the side stage. As the rapper exited the stage, he flew through the crowd backstage saying “swag, swag, swag.”

Earlier in the day, Pete Wentz got tattooed at the lounge. No word on what it was.

I attended the Sunset Strip screening and red carpet where some of the gang arrived on a double decker bus with Cisco Adler performing atop. Tommy Lee was a no show on the red carpet, but I did see Gerard Butler heading in to the film. Honestly, the flick is really good and I’m excited to spend some time on the strip when I return to LA LA land.

I spent the remainder of the night catching up with friends while NAS played at the Belmont and Eminem joined 50 Cent on stage at the Austin Music Hall.

I had every intention of going to the Rachel Ray Feedback Party at Stubbs on Saturday, but once I heard about the line I decided to skip it. Plus, they were doing free tattoos at the Hard Rock Hotels Music Lounge. SCORE!

While at the lounge, I also got to experience intimate performances from Policia, Kat Graham, The Givers and Miguel. Perez Hilton, sporting a bedazzled joutfit, stopped by to support his pal Kat and conduct interviews prior to his annual One Night in Austin party.

Jenna Bush-Hager also stopped by to take in The Givers set.

Later at Perez Hilton’s party, I spotted Jenna once again as well as Cisco Adler, Bachelor Brad Womack’s twin bro Chad, Austin man about town (and famed firestarter) Stephen Moser, FOX 7′s Lauren Petrowski and Nancy Zambrano, and Lunchbox and Carlos from The Bobby Bones Show. Top Chef Texas winner Paul Qui was also there.

Sunday was pretty low key, with a lot of people taking time to recuperate (myself included). Since everyone was saying to arrive to the airport early, I got there two hours ahead of time. It was unnecessary, but it did give me ample time to celeb spot.

I saw Gerard Butler first, looking a little less crazy in a tight knit cap. Damien Fahey and Cisco Adler were also heading out. 

The only person who I saw for the first time all week was Lucia Moniz, who I recognized from Love Actually. After a six year gap, the Portuguese actress/singer Moniz released her fourth album Fio de Luz in 2011.

\And that’s a wrap on SXSW 2012! 

Just writing this was exhausting. Can you imagine living it?