Recognize this handsome face? While Canadian’s await the forthcoming Season of CBC‘s Republic of Doyle, its Star Allan Hawco is keeping sharp starring in the Company Theatre‘s Production of BELLEVILLE! The Drama examines a Generation struggling with the pressures of success and entitlement and plays at the Berkeley Theatre, with a Gala Performance on April 16, 2014!

We caught-up with Hawco earlier lunching and he was amazing to stop for a quick Snap, extending a handshake!

More details on BELLEVILLE here!

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/CBC)

Some days I’m literally convinced that I was born to meet Celebrities.  Today at my Day Job, I head down to the Gym to get a nice, nourishing breakfast, when I had to do a triple-take.  Why in the World would Sportscaster Brian Williams be at my office working out?  Well he was.

Although I’m not much of a Sports Nut, watching the Olympics as a Kid was unavoidable and you all know how much I love Horse Racing, for which he was a regular Commentator on major Race Telecasts. Brian Williams was always on CBC with a highly-distinctive manner about him which came to define much of my younger years.

We missed Williams’ familiar voice and face on CTV‘s (which he transitioned over to) coverage of the Winter Olympics in Sochi this year, but the Man certainly has left behind a legacy which several after him could only aspire for.

The Officer of the Order of Canada was awesome to stop and pose for a Photo by the Cash Register with me today, extending a handshake. Made. My. Life!

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/The Sweeney Agency)

As TIFF ’13 Festivities are nearing an end, I had the incredible honour of being invited to what is regarded as the most sought-after Gifting Lounge of the entire Festival, George Stromboulopoulous’ Made in Canada Lounge. Now in its fifth year, the Lounge situated in the CBC Building this year decidedly has taken-on an all-Canadian theme. Not only was I floored by the Goodies in store, attending Celebrities loved them some of these locally-made products. As I was guided through the Lounge, my jaw was in an endless state of dropped as name after name was rattled-off to me, processing what these Stars took a liking to.

Celebrity Guests this year at the Made in Canada Lounge included the likes of Ryan Kwanten, Taylor Schilling, Idris Elba, Tom Wilkinson, Taylor Kitsch, Paul Dano, Jesse Eisenberg, Zoe Kazan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Joel Edgerton, Alan Cumming and many others. Several even partook in signing their Autographs on Hockey Sticks, proudly placed on display and later to generate funds for Charity.

Among the biggest Winners at the Lounge this year were: AWAKE‘s delicious and super-caffeinated Chocolates, the uber-refreshing Limonana Beverage, Neals Brothers Foods‘ Bacon Maple Chips (which I am consuming at a rapid rate as I type this post), OMG’s (like Clodhoppers, if not more scintillating), the Montreal Canadiens‘ (Stromboulopoulous‘ favourite NHL Team) exclusive “TIFF“-inscribed Jersey, Smells Like Canada‘s Saskatoon Wheat-scented Candle, Sweets from the Earth‘s Cashew Cookies (personal favourite), Pehr‘s Tea Towels, Leaves of Trees’ super-moisturizing Argan Oil, Cococo Chocolatiers’ Habanero Rosemary Infusion Chocolate Bar (meant to be paired with Dinner), Oliberte Shoes, Daneson’s Toothpicks and several, several, more.

It also is said that “STROMBO” T-Shirts by Lancaster are becoming a bit of a Celebrity-obsession south of the Border also with Game of Thrones Star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau recently being papped in one.

I went, I visited and I didn’t want to leave.

For a complete list of the Canadian Businesses which were featured at George Stromboulopoulos’ Made in Canada Lounge, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

If there was one Person I absolutely had to meet this year, without question I would say it is Robin Thicke! For years I’ve enjoyed his Music but no one can deny that this is his year, breaking Airplay records (242.6 million Listeners to be exact) with his Single Blurred Lines, the Song which would define singlehandedly the Summer of 2013.

The R&B Star’s Canadian connections are deeply-rooted. Like his Father, Actor/Singer/Songwriter Alan Thicke, he also holds dual American-Canadian citizenship and the Proud Pop actually accompanied him on his Toronto Press Tour today. Thicke‘s sixth Studio Disc, Blurred Lines released just last week, went on to become his first ever release to reach the summit of the Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart.  And he is going all out in terms of promotion to ensure we all know how great an Album it is (it really is amazing – read my Review here)!

In addition to visiting CHUM-FM earlier today, Thicke arrived fashionably late with a three-vehicle Entourage to his KISS 92.5 Interview on The Roz & Mocha Show, where both Rogers Media Staffers and Fans awaited with eagerness for his arrival. Looking devastatingly handsome in his Aviators and Blazer, he was absolutely amazing – promising to spend a moment with his Fans on his way out.  And he delivered of course – cool, calm and collected!  Even his Father was generous to stop and pose for Fans, while younger Brother Carter got a glimpse of what greatness his future could hold, being a part a Family with a firmly-planted place in the World of Entertainment.  Did you know that the Father and Son Duo partnered in writing the Track Ain’t No Hat 4 That on the Disc?

In case you missed Thicke, do not fret. His two-day visit to Toronto includes several stop-offs including appearances on CITY‘s Breakfast Television tomorrow, Global Television‘s The Morning Show, an appearance also on CBC‘s Q Radio with Jian Ghomeshi later this week, plus also an intimate performance tonight at an undisclosed location.  Basically, he’s running the City this week and we know we want it (!).

Thicke was super-thoughtful to sign a Photo for my Readers.  If you want it (I know you want it!), head on over to Mr. Will Wong on Facebook and click “like” on this Post to enter!  All are welcome to enter.  Double ballots if you share the Post on Facebook!  Good luck.

See our Snap below:

Order Blurred Lines on iTunes here!

Thicke headlines the KISS 92.5 WHAM BAM on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Molson Amphitheatre.  More details here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Already a star-studded day in Toronto, Canadian-born Crooner Paul Anka was out and about today cross-promoting his Memoir My Way and latest Disc Classic Songs, My Way. He may 71-years-of-age, but he’s definitely still got the energy, aggressively in promotion mode doing an entire day of Press which saw him on Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition) and at CBC for most of the afternoon for tapings including Q Radio and George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.

The former Teen Icon and overall brilliant Singer/Songwriter is known best for his own Hits Lonely Boy and My Home Town, but has also penned some Classics in the American Songbook including Frank Sinatra‘s My Way and Tom Jones’ She’s a Lady.

The support was overwhelming for Anka as he exited the CBC Building today swarmed by Autograph Seekers and starstruck Passersby.  Being the example of grace he is, none were left disappointed as she signed his signature generously despite the intense vibe.

See our Snap below:

Comedian, Singer, Writer, Actor and Entrepreneur Dan Aykroyd truly is a National Treasure, so who more fitting to present a Diamond Jubilee Medal tonight at Roy Thomson Hall than him?  The Funnyman earlier taped an Interview at CBC for George Stromboulopoulos Tonight, only to be joined by that popular TV Personality at the Gala, which honoured Members of the Order of Canada who reside in Ontario.  The Medals recognize outstanding contributions and achievements from all sectors of Society. Other Presenters tonight included Jian Ghomeshi, Tom Cochrane,  Craig Kielburger, Peter Mansbridge, David Mirvish and Brian Williams.

All dappered-up, Aykroyd was awesome enough to stop for a quick Snap and other Fans-in-waiting had nothing but praise for him being a great sport. Noticing my Camera Strap in the way, he did a quick adjustment to ensure we got a winning Shot!

The Primetime EMMY Winner and Oscar-nominated Actor is attached to the long-overdue Ghostbusters III (Ivan Reitman rumoured to direct) and this year will be featured in Dorothy of Oz which features the Voice Work of Hugh Dancy, Lea Michele, Patrick Stewart, Kelsey Grammer, Meg Hilty, Jim Belushi and Martin Short. The Actor was last seen in 2012’s Box Office Hit The Campaign and coincidentally, we spotted his Co-Star Katherine LaNasa here the other day!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Crystal Head Vodka)