Trading in his snowboard for turntables and a computer turned out to be a good decision for the Kelowna-raised producer/DJ known as Datsik.

The DJ, whose real name is Troy Beetles, used to enjoy himself riding the powder on his board in the Okanagan hills, thinking at one time that would be the lifestyle he’d pursue. But instead, as one of the leading proponents of the music known as dubstep, he’s been playing to enthusiastic fans at packed festivals and clubs all over the world.

After getting his start at home in Kelowna, mixing and creating music in his room, he soon found himself playing shows in the US and elsewhere and hasn’t looked back since. But the transition wasn’t necessarily that easy for Beetles.

“I’ve always been a bedroom producer, sitting in my boxers writing music,” he said. “And then all of a sudden I had to learn how to DJ in a bigger club setting.

“I had to learn pretty quickly.”

The day he was interviewed for this story, he was in the middle of house hunting in his adopted home of Los Angeles with his girlfriend, Sharra Duggan. She also hails from Kelowna and helps out running Firepower Records, the company Beetles started to release his and others’ various projects.

But although he speaks fondly of his hometown, the move to California some 18 months ago was as much out of necessity as any desire to be in a bigger centre.

“To get in and out of Kelowna airport, I’d have to do a lot of connections because I’d be playing three shows a weekend,” he said. “I’d end up traveling for 12 or 13 hours and play the shows. And then at the end of the weekend, I’d have to travel back as well.

“I just wanted to get away from that. It’s definitely been crazy, but I’m finally getting comfortable here.”

Since breaking on the international dance music scene, Datsik has been keeping up a continent-hopping schedule that will bring him to the celebrated Shambhala Festival in the Salmo area Aug. 6-11 for a headlining set. Which, despite having played shows in Ibiza, the US, Europe and South America already this summer, he’s genuinely excited to be a part of.

He’ll also be sharing the bill with a slew of other top DJs, including one he considers a major inspiration, fellow Kelownian Excision (aka Jeff Abel). It will be Beetles fourth time playing Shambhala and the seventh time he’s been to the festival.

Since it emerged in the late ’90s in London, England clubs, dubstep’s heavy sound has found plenty of followers at festivals and in clubs. With it’s mix of influences, from hip-hop to electronic dance music, garage sounds and drum and bass, dubstep and it’s proponents, like Excision and Datsik, have made it into a predominant style with it’s own distinct bass-heavy sound.

Born in Vancouver, Beetles moved to Kelowna with his family at the age of four and attended Glenmore Elementary, Dr. Knox and Kelowna Secondary Schools. It was during his time at KSS that he also began his first forays into the world of being a DJ and producer.

“I came from more the hip-hop side of things,” he said. “I have two older brothers and I used to sneak into their room and steal all their CDs and play by myself.

“I got a copy of (music mixing software) Fruity Loops when I was 13 or 14 years old and started just noodling around on the computer. I never thought it would turn into anything.”

Starting out playing live at private house parties, Beetles went on to study audio engineering at the Center for Arts and Technology here in Kelowna, with DJ Sticky Buds (aka Tyler Martens) as one of his instructors.

At 26, Beetles has already remixed and collaborated with a host of other artists, including the likes of The Crystal Method, Wu-Tang Clan, Noisia and Diplo. He has described his own style as “dark and robotic.” It was also that particular style that brought him the attention of vocalist Jonathan Davis of Korn and led to his collaborating on its Path of Totality album and led to him opening for the band on a US tour.

In 2012, Datsik released his debut full-length effort, the 12-song Vitamin D. It also featured appearances from luminaries like Downlink, Z-Trip, Infected Mushroom, Snak the Ripper, and Korn’s Davis.

But, while he spends a good amount of time playing shows to packed houses around the world, Beetles pointed out that traveling to get there, even from a hub like LA, takes as much, if not more time out of his schedule as the gigs themselves.

“It’s crazy to travel as much as I’ve been,” he said. “I try to take in as much as I can, but the reality is, sometimes I’ll be in Hungary, say, for a day, and then Belgium for just a day. But it’s just the lifestyle.”

For more information on Datsik, go to firepowerrecords.com/artists/datsik, or check him out on Facebook, Soundcloud and Songkick.

To find out more about Shambhala, go to shambhalamusicfestival.com.

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If you can’t go to Africa, it will come to you.

A fundraising event called African Safari is being held Saturday at the Grateful Fed on Bernard Avenue to raise money for children who live in Wakiso, Uganda.

The event is being organized by Emily Pletsch of Kelowna, who in 2012 volunteered with the International Volunteer Head Quarters (IVHQ) program and lived in Wakiso for three months

She stayed at a boarding school with 200 children called Wakiso Children’s School of Hope.

Pletsch’s work consisted of tending to children’s daily needs, bringing them to the hospital, testing children for malaria, helping with homework and organizing recreational activities.

Saturday’s fundraiser, which begins at 6 pm, includes a percussion, jazz and drumming show, and a face paint opportunity for everyone to “become a safari animal,” said Pletsch.

The $30 ticket, purchased at the door, also includes a full entree dinner.

Pletsch returns to Uganda in November and money raised Saturday will be used to help some of the children’s basic needs.

Pletsch recalls her last visit there.

“During my second week, we had a large malaria outbreak and about 20 kids got malaria,” she said. “Other common sicknesses were typhoid and parasites.

“Of the three months I lived out there, I spend one month of my trip sleeping in different clinics and hospitals with sick kids.”

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Conceptual design for what will be Canyon Falls Middle School in the Mission. Photo credit: Contributed

New Kelowna middle school named

It came down to Canyon Falls, Myra Canyon and Ki-Low-Na

After weeks of discussion and public forums and voting, the Central Board of Education quickly decided on a name for a planned, new Okanagan Mission middle school.

The board unanimously agreed on Canyon Falls with little debate, selecting it over Myra Canyon or Ki-Low-Na Mountain.

Trustee Deborah Butler said it appeared to be best fit for the school from a geographic perspective.

“I feel it was the best representative name for the area,” she said.

The new school is in the preliminary design phase with the funding in place and a design proposal that was introduced at a recent public forum to garner feedback.

Central Okanagan Public Schools superintendent/CEO Kevin Kaardal said it was important to establish the name of the new school as early as possible to help it build a sense of identity and a sense of community while it is under construction.

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The Royal Canadian Family Circus will be in Kelowna from July 7-10. (Photo: Shannon Yearwood)

Come one, come all: big top coming to Kelowna’s Orchard Park Mall

Royal Canadian Circus comes to town July 7-10

Four jam-packed nights of daredevil acts are coming to Orchard Park Mall.

The Royal Canadian International Circus will be in town from July 7-10, the sixth stop on its five-month tour across North America.

Joseph Dominik Bauer, a ninth generation daredevil with over three decades of experience, will serve as ringmaster. He will unveil acts like flying trapeze artist Claudia Alvarado of Mexico, America’s Got Talent’s Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team, and the Motorcycle Thrill Riders, who will be tackling the ‘Globe of Death’.

Giving a more modern swing to the traditional programming are acts such as a ‘Human Slinky’, and stand-up comedy.

Eight shows will be performed under the big top over the four days. For tickets, go to royalcanadiancircus.ca.

READ MORE: Bryan Adams to rock Kelowna’s Prospera Place on Remembrance Day

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The sixth annual Bumbershoot Children’s Theatre’s Young Performers Summer Productions takes to the stage tonight at the Mary Irwin Theatre.

Artistic director Tracy Ross announced Legally Blonde, The Musical, will be staged in evening performances, with a second production featuring junior performers called Crowning Lil’ Miss Cutie will be presented in three matinees.

The productions run tonight to Sunday.

Featured in Legally Blonde’ will be Kelowna performers Georgia Kemp as Elle Woods, Antony Knight as Emmet, Tyson Sigler as Warner Hungtington and Naomi Cormier as Vivienne with cameo appearances by Danny Tagle, Neville Bowman, Lucy Hazelwood and Ross.

Legally Blonde will be directed by Ross. Musical director is Neville Bowman and choreography will be by Tagle.

“We are so excited to have Danny as part of our team,” said Ross. “He brings wonderful energy and a ton of experience from shows all over the world.”

Ross said the fun, upbeat musical about self-discovery stays true to form with a peppy score and playful story as Elle Woods responds to being dumped by her boyfriend who is off to Harvard to study law. Determined to get him back, Elle uses her charm to get into Harvard Law School and goes on to prove herself to the world.

The new junior production of Crowning Lil Miss Cutie, which was written by Ross, will feature more than 21 junior performers taking the stage for a unique theatrical experience they will share with the audience.

The role of the annual Young Performers summer program is to provide aspiring Kelowna actors and singers aged six to 18 with an opportunity to develop their talents and skills and then test and exercise them on stage.

After benefiting from instruction and coaching, the young people will run the entire show by themselves once it hits the stage.

Legally Blonde will start at 7.30pm at the Mary Irwin Theatre.

Tickets are available through the Rotary Center for the Arts at 250-717-5304.

Miss Cutie will take over the same stage for matinee performances Friday to Sunday and admission will be by donation.

This is the sixth summer young performers program to be presented by Bumbershoot, which is a non-profit registered charitable theater company which was launched in Kelowna in 2009.

The young performers summer program complements the regular season of four productions.

Full details on Bumbershoot Children’s Theater is available on its website at bumbershoottheatre.com.

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Kelowna Airport experiencing delays and cancellations from winter storm

Travelers are encouraged to visit the Kelowna Airport website for updates

If you are flying out of the Kelowna International Airport Today you may want to check the status of your flight and give yourself a little extra time to get there.

YLW is experiencing major delays and cancellations due to large amounts of snow falling this morning. According to Environment Canada, a long period of snowfall with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm is expected.

YLW is experiencing major delays and cancellations due to large amounts of snow falling this morning. This comes after Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning as a long period of snowfall with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm is expected to hit the Okanagan. @KelownaCapNews pic.twitter.com/DKMcGu9z6c

— Daniel Taylor (@DanTaylorKCN) January 6, 2020

For arrivals, three flights have been cancelled, while seven others are currently delayed. Departures are also experiencing two cancellations and multiple delays.

Kelowna Airport communications officer Jessica Hewitt said travelers should do their due diligence and ensure they arrive safely.

“We are encouraging people to check the status of their flight before they head to the airport,” said Hewitt.

“People should give themselves lots of time to get here because it’s looking like the road conditions aren’t great at the moment.”

Travelers can also check the status of their flight at ylw.kelowna.ca

READ MORE: Winter storm warning issued for the Okanagan

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Contributed Kelowna Karate & Fitness Inc.’s (from left) Paul Atkin, Tyson Cragg and Maya Slauson are in Ireland to compete in the World JKA Karate Championships.

Kelowna trio at karate worlds

Paul Atkin, Tyson Cragg and Maya Slauson on Canada’s 67-member national team in Ireland.

Three members of Kelowna Karate & Fitness Inc. are in Limerick, Ireland this week preparing for the JKA World Karate Championships.

Head instructor Paul Atkin, along with Maya Slauson and Tyson Cragg are part of Canada’s 67-member national team which will compete at the worlds from Aug. 17 to 20.

Sensei Atkin will be competing in men’s black belt individual kumite, and men’s team kumite.

Maya Slauson will be competing in ladies 16-year-old black belt individual kumite.

Tyson Cragg will be competing in boys 12-year-old black belt individual kata and kumite.

The JKA World Championships host over 100 countries competing for the ultimate prize of being named the best in the world.

For more on the JKA World Championships, go to jkaworldchampionships2017.com

For more information on Kelowna Karate & Fitness Inc., go to kelownakarate.ca.

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A fire in the load of a garbage truck caught on fire March 21, 2018. – Image: Carli Berry

Kelowna garbage truck catches fire

Police and fire crews had a smelly situation on their hands Wednesday afternoon

Traffic is being re-directed around a large pile of garbage on Lakeshore Road in Kelowna.

Just after 12:30 pm this afternoon, the Kelowna Fire Department responded to an area near the 7-11 on Lakeshore after a garbage truck had pulled to the side of the road, with its load on fire.

Fire crews knocked the down the blaze but couldn’t get it completely out, so the contents had to be dumped onto the ground.

“The driver noticed smoke coming from the back so he called us right away,” said Tim Hill of the KFD. “We tried to cool it down but with something like this we have to dump it.”

The fire, and the garbage are now in mop up mode. Police was also called to the scene and a loader is being brought in to deal with the clean-up and help completely extinguish the blaze.

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A fire in the load of a garbage truck caught on fire March 21, 2018. – Image: Carli Berry

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You wouldn’t think it by looking at one, but those seemingly useless aluminum pull tabs that come from pop cans have become quite special in West Kelowna.

Particularly for a local five-year-old named Thompson Chadsey. who with the help from his family has started a collection.

It’s not for a hobby or art, but to show appreciation, to repay Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland where he was treated for the ailments he was born with on Valentine’s Day 2014.

At birth, Thompson was missing bones in his face, leg and foot. His mother Alicia Chadsey was told by doctors that amputation and a prosthetic was the best option for Thompson.

“He wasn’t even six weeks old, and we weren’t ready to accept that yet,” said Chadsey.

“We were suggested Shriners, and within 24 hours, they had arranged an appointment (with a specialist) for within a month.”

When the Chadseys met with the specialist, they made the decision to not amputate Thompson’s one shorter leg, and to focus on other means of treatment, such as smaller surgeries to lengthen and strengthen the leg.

“They said that by the time everything was said and done, there would be no issues for Thompson,” said Chadsey.

“In my mind, they saved his life, and after I asked well, ‘What can we do?’”

The Chadseys were then told about Shriners’ aluminum tabs program. The tabs from pop cans, tuna cans, cat food and more is the only 100 per cent aluminum part of the can, and can be sold to aluminum recyclers.

Shriners donates the money raised to support programs and treatments like the ones that helped Thompson, and there is no hindrance to the can’s original recycling.

The Chadseys knew almost immediately that this was something they could not only commit to, but their efforts would benefit the hospital that helped save Thompson’s future.

RELATED: Students give two thumbs up to no more BC student loan interest

Since the visit to Shriners five years ago, the Chadseys have stuck to their commitment to help the hospital’s aluminum tabs collection.

Alicia Chadsey estimates a 2,000 pound collection of tabs in the five years, good for roughly $2,000.

At almost 1,000 tabs per single pound, one only has to do the math to see how committed this West Kelowna family is to supporting a cause that has become a passion for the five-year-old Thompson.

“He knows what they are, and he wants to take them from stores, and wherever we go,” said Chadsey. “He sees them on the ground and he’ll take them. He loves his tabs.”

Thompson has also come along in his treatments. His shorter leg is helped by a larger shoe with a lift, to help make the difference almost unnoticeable.

Chadsey said that Nordstrom and Kelowna’s Orthoquest have made significant help in the purchasing and fixing-up of Thompson’s two different-sized shoes.

Feb. 14 was Thompson’s fifth birthday, and February has also unofficially become the month of the aluminum tabs in West Kelowna.

Through word of mouth and social media, the Chadseys have set up drop-off locations for would-be tab donors at the local Johnson Bentley Pool.

“Every tab counts. The amount (of tabs) that come to the pool is phenomenal. It has turned into something that everyone can do to help,” said Chadsey. “We’re going to continue to do it, it’s our way of saying thank you.”

Local restaurants have included themselves in the tab-pulling collection while donations also come in from Rutland Senior Secondary and Rutland Middle schools.

Support has also come from as far as Calgary and Prince George with people looking to donate. Chadsey then directs them to the best way to donate the tabs, usually via the Thompson’s Tabs FaceBook page.

Though the donations have come in all different sizes throughout the years, it hasn’t downsized the Chadsey family’s resolve.

“It’s a grand scheme thing. I asked how I could help, (Shriners) said tabs,” said Chadsey.

“So that’s what we do.”

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For the 40th year, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission will serve its annual free Christmas dinner Dec. 15

The meal is open to anyone in the community and is available, at no cost, between noon and 6 pm

“The issue of homelessness has been top of mind in our community in the past year,” said Randy Benson, executive director of the Mission.

“It’s a privilege for us to be able to serve our city’s most vulnerable in such a tangible way. Jesus asks us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Everyone here is our neighbor and, for some, we are the only family they have. It is our wish that all who take part in this meal will feel the love of Jesus and the care of our community.”

The dinner to be served will be the traditional turkey with stuffing, ham, mashed potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, rolls and pie topped with whipped cream.

The dinner is served by volunteers and funded by donations.

This year, as they have done in the past, local politicians such as Mayor Colin Basran, city councilors Loyal Wooldridge and Ryan Donn and Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick, will be among the volunteer servers.

To make a donation to the Gospel Mission, volunteer or give an in-kind gift, go to www.kelownagospelmission.ca

The Kelowna Gospel Mission is located at 251 Leon Avenue downtown.

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