Idols sing in the sunrise at Canada AM Block Party
Updated Fri. Sep. 15 2006 3:07 PM ET

Eye on Idol

In their last group performance before Canadian Idol's Sept. 17 finale, the Top 10 wowed a crowd of early-morning revelers Friday morning at the second annual Canada AM Block Party.

The outdoor event -- which began under still-dark skies at 6:30 a.m. -- featured individual performances by Top 2 competitors Eva Avila and Craig Sharpe, group performances by the Top 10 and Top 4 and a question and answer period with the audience.

Canada AM's senior entertainment producer Tina Daenzer said the party was a way for the show to celebrate it's viewers by inviting them to get in on the action.

"It's a way to give something back to our viewers who enjoy watching the show," she told Eye on Idol. "Giving them chance to come out, meet the Idols in person, get some autographs, meet the hosts of Canada AM. It's a great day and a lot of fun."

The entertainment didn't stop with the celebrities. The group of about 100 fans was entertained with trick bicycling, circus performers, balloon animals, free Idol swag, makeovers, and -- particularly popular with some yawning parents of energy-filled Idol fans -- free coffee and breakfast rolls.

Cynthia Rychlewski came to the event with her son's Grade 4/5 class and said she's never seen him so awake at that time of day.

"If you say 'time to go to school,' it takes them 10 or 15 minutes," she said. "If you say 'time to go to CTV Block Party, they're ready to go right away."

When asked if she minded the early morning wake-up, Rychlewski was quick to note the kids weren't the only ones interested in seeing the Idols live.

"Oh, God!" she exclaimed, gesturing toward the stage. "This is exciting for me. I'm reliving my youth."

Sisters Amber and Monica Walker-Bolton said they decided to come to the party after finding out Sunday's Canadian Idol finale was sold out.

"We'd been on Ticketmaster and were hardcore trying to get tickets for the finale but it was so hard and I guess everyone wants to go," said Amber.

"We really have been following it on the TV and it was our opportunity to see the Idols up close... and to support our good buddy Kati Durst," added Monica, taking a momentary break from gushing over Craig Sharpe's good looks.

With only two days left before the finale, the event was a great chance for the Top 10 to experience different aspects of performing than they might on their show, said Canadian Idol co-producer Jen Pratt.

"They haven't had to get up really, really early yet this whole summer," she said. "It's a great chance for them to experience... an early morning sound-check, performing outside, dealing with the elements. They all love performing together as the Top 10, so it's another chance before the show's over to do that."