9th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest Returns Bigger & Better Than Ever Next
    Week!

    AUGUST 21-24, 2008 throughout Toronto's St. Lawrence Market districtTORONTO, Aug. 15 /CNW/ - 18 year-old native Torontonian and Canadian Idol
Top 5 Finalist Mookie Morris has been confirmed to perform a concert at the
9th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest!
    A dazzling display of awesome busker talent from all over the world,
Toronto's international busker festival in support of Epilepsy Toronto opens
next week, running Thursday August 21 through Sunday August 24 throughout the
St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood.
    Mookie is the youngest of the Top 5 all-male group of finalists on CTV's
hit show Canadian Idol, and is the first Toronto native to advance to the
Top 5 phase of the competition. Whether he makes it to the next round or not,
Mookie will give a very special concert at BuskerFest that will rock his fans
socks off, set for Friday, August 22 at 6pm at the CTV Stage at Front and
Market Streets.
    In true busker style, Mookie will "pass the hat" after his performance,
and in true charitable spirit, will donate the proceeds to Epilepsy Toronto.
    To make his Toronto appearance all the more exciting, Scotiabank
BuskerFest is calling on Toronto fans to tune in to Canadian Idol on Monday,
August 18 at 9 p.m. ET, and vote to keep him in the running!
    Mookie joins a stellar array of more than 80 top buskers already
announced from countries ranging from Canada, the United States, Hungary,
Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, England and more, who will provide an
awesome spectacle of jaw-dropping entertainment, including:-   From Los Angeles, B-boy Pop 'n' Lock dancer Robert Muraine, recently
        featured on So You Think You Can Dance? and Ikea's new commercial,
        performs as part of dance duo Pulp!

    -   From Halifax, the high-energy drum and percussion troupe Squid adds
        visually stunning choreography to their unique, unconventional show!

    -   From the U.S., Rob Williams, holder of The Guinness Book World Record
        for fastest baloney sandwich made using only his feet, performs foot
        tricks, whip tricks and more!

    -   From Australia/England, Dream State Circus with FLIP-STATIC, mixing
        Acrobalance and juggling with wit and charm; and FAIRY FIRE, an
        entrancing fire performance incorporating traditions from many
        countries, amalgamating them with modern trance music to make you go
        "WOW!"

    -   From America, the Pogo Dudes take things to a new level with their
        air-powered pogos, laugh-till-it-hurts comedy and high-flying antics!

    -   Especially for kids, BuskerPlay has free activities and workshops in
        balloon-twisting, break dancing, juggling and clown! Toronto Aerial
        Dance also offers aerial workshops!

    -   After dark, the streets blaze with fire and the already off-beat
        comedy gets a little more twisted so don't miss out! The 3rd Annual
        Fire in the Sky, hosted by FireGuy, showcases the 'hottest' fire
        performers at the festival in a special performance on August 22 at
        9:30pm while the Grand Finale on August promises to be just as
        'sizzling"!Between sets, sample a bevy of gastronomic delights or stroll the avenue
of artisans and take in the sights and sounds of roving musicians, stilt
walkers, human statues, chalk artists and much, much more.9th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest - Thursday August 21 to Sunday
                               August 24, 2008
       throughout Toronto's historic St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood
      Along Front Street from Jarvis to Yonge and adjacent side streets
       Thursday noon-10pm, Friday noon-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday
                                   11am-8pm
        Admission is FREE with a voluntary donation to benefit Epilepsy
           Toronto. For information visit www.torontobuskerfest.com