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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

A tree stands in front of Blumen Gardens. Blumen Gardens is a flower shop and wedding venue in Sycamore. (Tamya Burch | Northern Star)

Flower shop blooms unions

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator | April 24, 2024

A local flower shop is blooming flowers, botanicals and unions.   Nestled in between the fertile farmlands of Northern Illinois sits a quaint town dressed in Americana. Sprawling canopies line up against colonial revival buildings that pay homage...

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,”...

Characters from the upcoming "Star Wars" game talk to each other. Ubisoft released a cinematic trailer for "Star Wars Outlaws" on April 9. (Ubisoft under Fair Use)

‘Star Wars Outlaws’ fantastic or flop

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | April 23, 2024

Since its announcement in 2021, “Star Wars Outlaws” has been surrounded by mixed opinions on whether it will be good, and the new trailer doesn’t help the game’s case.  On April 9, Ubisoft released a cinematic trailer showcasing pieces of...

Actor Henry Cavill attends the premiere of "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare," at AMC Lincoln Square, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. Both "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" and "Abigail" succeed at being fun cinema. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

‘Abigail,’ ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ master fun cinema

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | April 22, 2024

After a decade of multi-hundred million dollar budget superhero movies making up the cultural zeitgeist, the mid-budget is slowly making its comeback.  Mid-budget movies have a budget between $10 million and $75 million.  This weekend alone two...

Sarah Marsh, a sophomore communications major, walks near the East Lagoon. With the chaotic weather of spring, students should dress in layers to fit the changing temperatures. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Dressing for chaotic weather

By Brynn Krug, Lifestyle Editor | April 22, 2024

When deciding what to wear for the day, the first thing you may want to check is the weather. Since Friday, DeKalb has experienced temperatures ranging from 28 to 64 degrees. While we are exiting the season of surprise snowfall, skies still shift between...

Singer Peso Pluma stands in front of a white background. Peso Pluma will perform at the Latin American Music Awards Thursday. (Latin AMAs 2024 Virtual Press Room)

Latin American Music Awards take place Thursday

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | April 21, 2024

The ninth annual Latin American Music Awards, Latin AMAs, will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday.  The theme of this year’s award show will be, “We Speak Música.” The Latin AMAs will be co-hosted by Alejandra Espinoza, Carlos Ponce and none other...

Buddy, a 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat, sits inside a cubby. Buddy is available for adoption for $75.00 at Tails Humane Society. (Courtesy of Tails Humane Society)

Tails’ Buddy ready to be your feline friend

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | April 19, 2024

One of Tails Humane Society’s youngest felines is waiting to be your Buddy as this week’s Tails’ Pet of the Week. Buddy, a domestic shorthair cat with black and white fur, turned 1 year old Thursday and is in search of a new beginning after a...

“Earth Fest April 18” is displayed on the Egyptian Theatre marquee. The film “Common Ground'' premiered for the first time in Northern Illinois at Earth Fest and was followed by a panel of local farmers and experts on regenerative agriculture. (Sam Dion | Northern Star)

Earth Fest creates community

By Brynn Krug, Lifestyle Editor | April 18, 2024

Despite the dreary, drizzling rain outside, environmental activists and members of the DeKalb community gathered Thursday inside the Egyptian Theatre to participate in the inaugural Earth Fest. Hosted by climate advocacy group DeCarbon DeKalb, Earth...

Reggie Thomas cuts off the NIU Jazz Orchestra on a song where Sean Jones (left) and Wycliffe Gordon are featured. Thursday’s concert was Thomas’ final concert leading the orchestra. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

Jazz Orchestra plays Thomas out

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | April 18, 2024

The head of NIU’s prestigious jazz program Reginald “Reggie” Thomas said goodbye to the program Thursday night during the final leg of his farewell concert series. The two-hour set featured two of the biggest names in jazz today – trombonist...

Author Melissa Blake (left) sits with Fred Barnhart, dean of NIU libraries, who has a microphone in his hand. Blake came to NIU on Thursday to discuss her new book, “Beautiful People: My Thirteen Truths About Disabilities," which interrogates disability and the way disability impacts peoples' lives. (Caleb Johnson | Northern Star)

Northern Star alum talks disability representation

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | April 18, 2024

It is a sad reality that people with disabilities are often overlooked, ridiculed, mistreated and underrepresented.  These topics were highlighted in a book discussion and reading on Thursday by Melissa Blake, an NIU alum who graduated in 2005.  Blake’s...

A woman holds her hands to her head while sitting with a computer in front of her. Overthinking can cause problems for both your mental and physical health. (valentinrussanov | Getty Images)

Overthinking leads to stress

By Sierra Usmani, Lifestyle Writer | April 17, 2024

Overthinking is when you over analyze every little detail and add on thoughts and ideas that aren’t true or necessary; it can lead to worry and stress.  Suzanne Degges-White, chair of Counseling and Counselor Education at NIU and a licensed counselor,...

Check out networking, climate events this weekend

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | April 17, 2024

Editor’s note: If you want your event featured in next week’s Weekend Roundup, email information to [email protected]. THURSDAY: DeKalb County EARTH FEST and "Common Ground" Screening: 4:30 p.m. at Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second...