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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Mike Faist (from left), Zendaya and Josh OConnor sit in a scene from Challengers. This new Luca Guadagnino film released on April 26. (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures via AP)

‘Challengers’ hangs beauty out to dry

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | April 28, 2024

The newest Luca Guadagnino film, “Challengers,” released Friday.  With an all-star cast – Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor are all in lead roles – and a soundtrack by two of the best film composers in the game, “Challengers” was...

Members of NIUs School of Theatre and Dance pose across a stage. The Spring Dance Concert is the last show of the SOTDs 2023-2024 production season. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Spring Dance Concert leaps into action

By Brynn Krug, Chief Copy Editor | April 25, 2024

As audience members flipped through their playbills, soft orchestral music played while a crimson curtain shielded the dancers awaiting behind it. Thursday was the first night of the School of Theatre and Dance’s Spring Dance Concert, the last production...

A poster for the Spring Dance Concert hangs in the Stevens Building. This will be the School of Theatre and Dance’s last show of the 2023-2024 production season. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Spring Dance Concert begins Thursday

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | April 23, 2024

The annual Spring Dance Concert is taking place this weekend, starting at 7:30 p.m. on April 25 in the O'Connell Theatre in the Stevens Building.  This year’s program, “The Continuum of Change,” will feature four distinct works, “Cog/nition,”...

Annual NIU student film festival returns

Annual NIU student film festival returns

By Lindsay Curtis, Lifestyle Writer | April 7, 2024

The 2024 Reality Bytes Independent Student Film Festival is just days away from its annual screenings of student-made films on Tuesday and Wednesay. Tuesday’s screenings will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Cole Hall while Wednesday’s screenings...

Kendrick Lamar performs in Mexico City on March 23 at a music festival. Lamar is one of the most praised rappers of all time. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

COLUMN: Kendrick Lamar is the best rapper of all time

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | March 31, 2024

After the release of the album “WE DON’T TRUST YOU” by rapper Future and producer Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar has been a hot topic in the rap community. After throwing direct shots at hip-hop stars J. Cole and Drake on Future’s song “Like That,”...

Olivia Rodrigo stands on stage in a silver outfit during her March 12 performance in St. Louis. Rodrigo has released five new songs on Friday. (Gabby Crabtree | Northern Star)

Olivia Rodrigo spills 5 new ‘GUTS’ songs

By Sarah Rose, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | March 24, 2024

Around 9 p.m. on a chilly, March 19 evening, Olivia Rodrigo announced five new songs during her show in Chicago.  With a little over six months since the release of her sophomore album, “GUTS,” Rodrigo surprised fans with the new songs and announced...

Many gold trophies sit in a line. The 96th Academy Awards will occur Sunday, and the Northern Star is hosting a contest to see who can predict the winner of six of the biggest categories. (Prayitno | CCA2.0)

The Northern Star to host film awards contest

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | March 4, 2024

At 6 p.m. Sunday, the 96th Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, will occur. In commemoration of film lovers’ biggest night of the year, the Northern Star will host a contest to see who can predict the closest ballot of winners for the six...

Taylor Tomlinson stands in front of the sign for her show After Midnight. Tomlinson is the first woman to take over a pre-existing late-night show. (Robert Voets | Paramount Press Express)

Comedian Taylor Tomlinson makes history with ‘After Midnight’

By Isabel Cambray, Lifestyle Writer | March 3, 2024

A comedian who addresses her own flaws yet finds humor in herself and the not-so-pretty parts of life, Taylor Tomlinson attracts an audience where those involved find humor in trauma dumping, sucky parts of dating and being in your twenties. Having...

A graphic depicts a blue and purple space background with 12 constellations spread out in a circle. The horoscopes this week suggest a sudden shift from negative to positive energy. (Northern Star File Photo)

March begins with a ‘bang’

By Hannah Soukup, Assistant News Editor | February 25, 2024

The full moon in Virgo on Saturday might have left all signs with an important revelation. While the revelation is for the best, exhaustion is in the air. For the start of the week, signs might find themselves taking a much-needed break.  Mars will...

NIU English professor Dr. Lara Crowley stands in front of an outdoor background. Dr. Crowley is currently working on her second novel which is inspired by the late writer John Donne. (Courtesy of Lara Crowley)

NIU professor works on second book

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | February 19, 2024

The study of the written word is a noble and timeless pursuit, especially so for one professor in the NIU English Department, Lara Crowley.  Currently working on her second novel, with a working title of "Dubiously Donne: Attribution and Literary...

The door of the Sally Stevens Players Theatre sits closed after a weekend full of performances. NIU’s most recent play “Anxious People!” opened this week. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

‘Anxious People!’ gives exposure therapy for anxiety

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | February 18, 2024

Anxiety, at its core, is a deeply human condition. As social creatures, people are prone to intense feelings when outside pressures hinder and interrupt their own experiences.   Audiences were treated to stories and experiences of people dealing...

Taylor Swift holds a Grammy award as she accepts the award for “Album of the Year.” The 66th Grammy awards took place in Los Angeles on Sunday. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Taylor Swift makes history at 66th Grammys

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Editor-in-Chief | February 5, 2024

The 66th annual Grammys brought jaw dropping moments, stunning fashion and breathtaking performances.   Dua Lipa opened the award show at 7 p.m. Sunday with her song “Training Season.”  After the opening performance, host Trevor Noah walked...