DeKALB | The walking isn’t the only thing backwards about freshman orientation.

On the guided tours of campus, the big spots get hit: residence halls, Founders Memorial Library, the Holmes Student Center, etc. Sadly, new students seem to be left adrift regarding many well-kept campus secrets. Art exhibits and musical performances are happening all the time, but one would never know it from orientation’s broad overview of life at NIU.

In the spirit of arts here at Northern, here is a rundown of some of the locations you need to know:

WHAT: Boutell Memorial Concert Hall

WHERE: Music Building

WHY: Live music is a huge part of life in DeKalb. Concerts happen every week downtown. But for a closer (and often less expensive) outing, check what’s going on at the Music Building on any given day. From opera to jazz to experimental electronica, Boutell Memorial Concert Hall somehow manages to put a little of everything on their calendar.

WHAT: NIU Art Museum

WHERE: Altgeld Hall

WHY: Not to be confused with the Jack Olson Gallery in the art building, the NIU Art Museum hosts artists and curators, both visiting and otherwise. All throughout the school year, there are at least three or four exhibits running simultaneously, and they’re often bound by a common theme. With no admission price and a convenient location, it is a must-see for anyone in the area.

WHAT: O’Connell, Players and Corner Theatres

WHERE: Stevens Building

WHY: NIU’s theatre program is managed and directed by some of the finest talent in the country. This often leads to quality, beautiful productions right here on campus. With three stages being put to use, the variety of work being done promises something for everyone. Tickets for larger shows in the O’Connell Theatre are discounted for students, children and seniors.

WHAT: Jack Olson Gallery

WHERE: Jack Arends Art Building

WHY: The products of an education in art are always on display at the Jack Olson Gallery. Located in the art building (which also displays class assignments throughout the halls), Olson runs full exhibits, much like the NIU Art Museum. But this gallery features students works at a higher frequency. See what your peers are up to as they progress through their degrees in the visual arts.