Once again, I apologize for the diversion from the surfing and snowboarding posts… but I have to talk about my favourite book/movie series! Amy, Kim and I strike again with the Twilight – New Moon cast at Jackson Rathbone’s band’s (100 Monkeys) concert tonight! Big thanks again to Amy for the invite… you’re the best. We saw… Ashley Greene (Alice), Kellan Lutz (Emmett), Jackson Rathbone (Jasper), Peter Facinelli (Carlisle), Kristen Stewart (Bella), Taylor Lautner (Jacob), and Nikki Reed (Rosalie). Yay!

If any of the cast reads this and wants me to remove any photos of them, please let me know. I know it’s a privilege and not a right to get photos with you and I respect that!

We headed down to the Backstage Lounge at Granville Island, to check out 100 Monkeys. Jackson Rathbone sings, plays guitar, and the keyboard with his band. Let me first start out by saying… the band was amazing. The music was great and they put on a really good show. Also props to the management of the Backstage Lounge… they did a good job of keeping things calm.

I can’t even begin to tell you how nice the cast was. They asked for us to wait to take photos until mainly after the show because they didn’t want to take the spotlight from Jackson’s band, and they were incredibly kind, classy, and friendly. And they mostly hung out in the crowd all night, just enjoying the show like everyone else. Mindblowing! Kudos, Twilight cast. You really are a one-of-a-kind group. Thanks for putting up with us fans!

Let me go through the night in chronological order in as much detail as I can possibly remember (Amy and Kim, fill any in if I missed some!)…

*deep breath*

When we first arrived at the Backstage Lounge on Granville Island it was pretty empty. We had a few drinks and some food, and soon we spotted Jackson Rathbone and his band, just a few feet away from us in the corner milling about. We asked for photos and they kindly declined saying they would take some after the show. (They made good on their promise!)

We watched the opening band who were pretty good and kept an eye out for any activity. It was really neat to see Jackson for the first time. He seemed very casual and comfortable with his band.

After the opening band was done, we headed outside for some fresh air, and also walked up the street where we encountered some “paparazzi” who were waiting for the rest of the Twilight/New Moon cast members to arrive. I met the guy who takes all of LaineyGossip‘s photos and he seemed pretty cool and had a LOT of equipment. There were also a number of other men who had binders full of photos they wanted the cast to sign so they could sell the photos. Hmmm. One even claimed that Jackson had signed 28 photos for him the other day.

After about half an hour, we were lucky enough to see Peter, Kristin, Taylor, Kellan, and Ashley entering the club. Jackson was there to meet him, after texting them instructions (?) or timing. They were all incredibly stylish and even better looking in person. Not to mention very kind and friendly. Taylor (TEAM JACOB… Mmmm) showed up in his usual mysterious hoodie and jeans, Kristin wore a blue jean jacket and looked pretty casual.. Ashley looked super sexy in a tight black leather jacket, black purse and tight black pants and heels with bright red lipstick… Peter wore a burgundy leather jacket (wow!) with a nice pair of jeans, and he wore a baseball cap inside at times. Jackson was dressed in a suit and sneaks for his performance with the band, and Nikki had on a nice jacket with jeans and some boots. Kellan definitely looked handsome with a toque, scarf, black leather jacket, black V-neck t-shirt, and grey/black pants.

The group headed inside, but we managed to snag Peter for a photo. Unfortunately this photo turned out blurry which is a real shame, as Peter has just the most mesmerizing eyes and smile in person! He was a real class act and stayed outside to take some photos with fans while the rest went inside.

Inside the bar they had a small table in the back which was gated off. They had a bodyguard who was doing a pretty good job of keeping everyone away. I asked if I could buy Kellan or Jacob a drink, which was of course declined by the bodyguard, but he mentioned I could try if they decided to get on the dance floor.

So we took our places on the dance floor to watch Jackson’s band perform on the stage. They were AMAZING! Up tempo songs, great lyrics, and quite a variety in melodies. Very impressed!

And lo and behold, a few minutes later I turn to my left and I am shoulder to shoulder with Peter and Ashley. I dance a bit and don’t bother them so they can enjoy the show. Soon, Kristin and Taylor with Nikki make their way to the very front and set up right in the centre of the stage. They hang out there for the entire show.

I notice that Peter seems to be standing by himself, so I ask him if he’s got enough room or if he wants to move up closer to the stage. He says he’s got lots of room. I ask him if he’s enjoying Vancouver, to which he responds yes, very much. I thank him for his time and go back to watching the show.

The ENTIRE cast (well, aside from Rob) is basically standing a foot from me, so Amy, Kim and I watch the show and stealthily steal some looks at the cast. They all look happy to be there, and seem to be partying and enjoying the music. I’m so happy they were able to mingle and just party.

15 minutes later and I’m standing right beside Ashley Greene and her boyfriend? Not sure if it’s her boyfriend or a close friend. Pretty sure they are dating. I am later told it is Boone from LOST. I thought I recognized him somewhere! He’s wearing a cool bowler hat, and him and Ashley are dancing closely. It was amazing to see them so intimate and absorbed in each other in the midst of a huge crowd of Twilight fans.

They dance together all night, and look very happy and peaceful. Ashley looks over at me for a second and I take the opportunity to tell her she looks beautiful and that they look very cute together. She seems genuinely flattered and surprised, and says thank you a few times. I leave her alone, but another fan asks her for a photo, so I couldn’t resist. I blacked myself out here because I looked pretty goofy. Ashley really embodies what I would always imagine to be a classic Hollywood starlet… she’s got that timeless look, and she is incredibly charming.

Meanwhile, Jackson and the band rocks out. Check out the video. You can see Ashley in the black shirt to the left, and Jackson calls out his manager, the “Bananager” (VERY COOL band manager, we got to talk to him quite a bit).

Some time passes and I find myself in the middle of a bit of rowdy banter between Peter and Kellan. Although Jacob is my favourite character in the book, I may have to say Kellan is my favourite actor from the movie. I finally get a chance to talk to Kellan, and no one else seems to be talking to him or disturbing him. I talked to him for a good ten minutes about snowboarding, the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler, Mammoth, and Vancouver. He really has a killer smile, and he’s a great conversationalist. Very down to earth. And not afraid to party!

The show is winding down… I notice Jacob and Nikki have their arms around each other all night. Probably a friendly gesture, but it is nice to see the camaraderie between the cast.

Kristin and Nikki are talking pretty much the whole night. They seem so close!

Kristin and Jacob hang out a bit, and I definitely get some of my Team Jacob fill.

Eventually the show wraps up and we get a few more photos with the cast members. Thanks for taking photos with us!

The first group heads out to the patio, and then into cabs.

Meanwhile, Kellan hangs out with us and takes some photos, and does some really funny stuff. Wish I could have gotten a video of him. He’s pretty much exactly what I imagined Emmett to be. He’s silly, goofy… he used his scarf to make a ninja outfit and tried to scare different groups of girls. It was hilarious.

Eventually the second group heads out, and ended up having to hide behind dumpsters to escape the paparazzi when they realized there were no cabs left. Eventually they got into one and made it away safely. Phew!

We hung back a bit for photos with Jackson and the band, and the Bananager! Awesome! Thanks guys!

All in all a great night. We felt super lucky to see the cast there, and even happier that they were so friendly. I really enjoyed getting to see my favourite characters from the movies come to life, and getting to see some glimpses of the real people behind them. It was so dark that most of my photos didn’t turn out, or were grainy, but we still had an amazing time and lots of good memories. I think Kellan giving Amy a HUGE hug is my favourite one! Bulging biceps anyone?

Well, it’s 4 AM and I’m off to bed! I have an all-day work conference starting at 9 AM. Hope you enjoyed the story and the photos