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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media 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

The NIU Jazz Orchestra bows to the crowd after their last song, “Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey” composed by Jason Marshall. The NIU Jazz Orchestra is led by Director and Professor of Jazz Studies Roosevelt Griffin III. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU School of Music jazzes up a storm

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | October 9, 2024

The minutes dragged on as a large crowd of jazz enthusiasts slowly grew around the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall of the Music Building, eagerly awaiting to hear the latest masterpiece of the NIU School of Music.  Students of the NIU School of Music...

Zelda looks over Hyrule in the new game "Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom." This is the first "Legend of Zelda" game where Zelda is a playable protagonist. (Nintendo of America under Fair Use)

Zelda saves Link in ‘Echoes of Wisdom’

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | October 8, 2024

Ganon, the demon king, has brought darkness once more to the land of Hyrule and the only hero who can make a stand is Link — no wait, it's Zelda?! The hero of this story is Princess Zelda.  For the first time in the “Legend of Zelda” franchise,...

Mephiles the Dark stands menacingly with his fist clenched. A new story trailer revealed that additional old characters would appear in "Sonic X Shadow Generations." (Sony Under Fair Use)

Beloved characters return in ‘Sonic X Shadow Generations’

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | October 8, 2024

The next “Sonic” game is fast approaching and excitement is high as three more characters will make an unexpected appearance in the game.  On Sept. 24, another trailer was released for the upcoming game “Sonic X Shadow Generations,” revealing...

Joaquin Phoenix arrives at the premiere of "Joker: Folie a Deux" on Sept. 30 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Unlike the first, the sequel is a musical. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

‘Joker’ musical mishandles plot

By Brynn Krug, Lifestyle Editor | October 7, 2024

DC’s most notorious villain, the Joker, gives you another glimpse into his dark origin with “Joker: Folie à Deux.” However, this sequel takes a sharp turn from the first film with the fact that it, surprisingly, is a musical.  “Joker: Folie...

A prop throne sits in the middle of a stage. NIU's School of Theatre and Dance's current play, "Mary Stuart," featured no physical set besides the throne, instead relying on lighting to create the set. (Tyler Gordon | Northern Star)

‘Mary Stuart’ braves the stage

By Tyler Gordon, Lifestyle Writer | October 6, 2024

Political obligations, human nature and the emotional pain of not knowing what choices to make highlight “Mary Stuart,” a tale that depicts the best and worst of people in a two and a half hour runtime. Friday night, NIU saw the opening of its...

‘At Play’ exhibit generates vivid nostalgia

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | October 3, 2024

Toys are a monumental part of childhood, let alone they create lasting memories that are cherished for years to come. The new exhibit in Cole Hall captures this feeling perfectly.  Opened to the public last month, the latest exhibit featured in...

A poster for “Mary Stuart” hangs in the Stevens Building. The NIU School of Theatre and Dance production will begin shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

‘Mary Stuart’ takes stage Friday

By Tyler Gordon, Lifestyle Writer | October 2, 2024

“Mary Stuart” is an intense and dramatic play presenting the antagonism between Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I of England. Although it features some historic occurrences and relations, the story is a dramatized account of the struggle of...

A player fires the "R-36 Eruptor" at a large group of enemies while hurrying to the extraction point. 'Helldivers 2' received its best update yet in September that significantly improved various gameplay elements. (Sony Interactive Entertainment under Fair Use)

‘Helldivers 2’ revitalized after latest update

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | October 1, 2024

The player base for “Helldivers 2” has skyrocketed in the last two weeks thanks to a recent update that gave the community what they had long asked for.  Since August, “Helldivers 2” was on a slow popularity decline as players grew tired of...

A player prepares to start a round of "Flappy Bird" on their mobile phone. "Flappy Bird" released a trailer detailing its re-release later this year. (IGN under Fair Use)

‘Flappy Bird’ flaps again after a decade

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | September 29, 2024

There are few games that have swirled up as strong a controversy as “Flappy Bird,” and the long-thought deceased legend may yet flap again in the near future.  Released in 2013 as a mobile game for iOS and Android, “Flappy Bird” is a single...

The Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., has its lights on while the sun sets around it. The Egyptian Theatre will show six Halloween-related movies during the moth of October. (Northern Star File Photo)

Frightening fall films at the Egyptian Theatre

By Tyler Gordon, Lifestyle Writer | September 29, 2024

If you're looking for a good way to get your fill of ghosts, ghouls and ghastly creatures this Halloween season, set your eyes on the silver screen of DeKalb's historic Egyptian Theatre. This October, the Egyptian Theatre, located at 135 N. Second...

Kathryn Hahn poses for photographers ahead of the UK Special Screening of Marvel Television's "Agatha All Along" on Sept. 10 in London. The series concluded its 9-episode run. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Something Harkness this way comes

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | September 23, 2024

As Harkness falls upon the land, all roads lead to one place: witches. The time is nigh, as Agatha Harkness, the main antagonist from Disney’s “WandaVison” show, returns to our screens once more in the opening premiere of her new Disney+ mini...

A stage sits at Hopkins Park, located at 1403 Sycamore Road. On Saturday, the park hosted the Burning Cicada Arts and Music Festival. (Jonathan Shelby | Northern Star)

‘Burning Cicada Festival’ offers a hand against addiction

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | September 22, 2024

A cool breeze blew as the scorching sun touched Hopkins Park and the comforting tune of instruments danced along the breeze, marking the start of the Burning Cicada Arts and Music Festival.  From 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday in Hopkins Park, the Burning...