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Les Stroud and The Pikes to Launch Album at Deerhurst Resort
MUSKOKA, ON., April 3, 2007 – Hot off filming in the Kalahari Desert and from an appearance on The View, “Survivorman” Les Stroud has returned to Deerhurst Resort to share his expeditions and to introduce his recording “Les Stroud and The Pikes." From May 4-6, the OLN and Discovery channel star will host his second annual Survivorman Rocks getaway at this lakeside retreat two hours from Toronto.
What spurs an expert outdoorsman who travels with only video gear, harmonica and multi-tool in tow to join forces with an upscale golf and spa resort – even one that packs paintball, hiking trails and a climbing course into its 800 acres? Stroud, who lives off the grid near Huntsville, has his production office tucked away in Deerhurst’s Lodge, also home to the resort’s long-running stage shows.
“Doing this at Deerhurst means I can give survival advice and behind-the-scenes secrets,” says Stroud. “Everyone can get outdoors. Then at the end of the day, we all enjoy great food, music and a good night’s sleep.”
THE WEEKEND
In this spin-off fromDeerhurst’s 2006 Survivorman weekend, Stroud will host a Friday night gathering and a Saturday presentation covering everything from urban disaster preparedness to innovations in green living and what it’s really like to shoot those one-man videos.
One of Stroud’s mentors, David Arama, of the WSC Wilderness Survival School, will take guests on a hands-on hike that includes shelter construction, signaling and other practical summer outdoors know-how. Attendees can also watch the Sault College and Frontier Adventure Challenge races taking place on-site.
But the weekend’s high note promises to be the debut of Stroud’s latest venture, an album of “rockin’ blues” recorded with Saskatoon-born band the Northern Pikes.
THE MUSIC
Before a canoe trip on the Temagami River sparked a career change, Stroud was a producer for MuchMusic, helped direct videos for Rush and Corey Hart and signed with BMG Records. In 2005, the harmonica player, whose lonely notes underscore Survivorman episodes, took his music beyond festival appearances, embarking on a collaboration with the Pikes, creators of Top 40 hits like “Girl With A Problem.”
“Les Stroud and the Pikes” represents an exciting departure for both sides, electrifying Stroud’s folk-tinged roots while simplifying the “bigger is better” Pikes’ sound. Having opened for Duran Duran and David Bowie, the band’s Deerhurst album release will be a far more intimate affair. To draw “cottage country” residents, a limited number of event-only tickets to both their May 5 concert and a pre-show Savour Muskoka dinner are available through Deerhurst’s activities desk from CDN $20 to $59 per person.
THE SHOW
For those who haven’t seen Stroud in action yet, Survivourman is a genuine reality show stripped to the essentials. In each episode he gets dropped off alone for a week in a different wilderness environment with only clothes, camera cases and a couple of supplies like a credit card or chewing gum. Seeing how Stroud starts a fire, comes up with food and tries to find his way back to civilization makes for real “must see TV.” Even armchair travellers can learn from the “Five Ws” of survival.
For the uninitiated, Stroud confirms that’s, “Weather, wood, wigglies, widow makers and water – join me at Deerhurst in May to see why they matter.”
READY TO GO
Deerhurst’s Survivorman Rocks package including 2-nights shared accommodation, welcome reception, 2 breakfasts, lunch, dinner, hike and concert admission is CDN $399 per person. For reservations or a la carte concert and dinner tickets call 1-800-461-4393 or 705-789-6411, or visit http://www.deerhurstresort.com/survivorman
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