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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

Spider-Man swings in front of a car to prevent it from hitting a bus. "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" was released Jan. 29 and showcases the early days of Spider-Man's career as a superhero. (Marvel Entertainment under Fair Use)

‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ swings high

By Ethan Quirk, Lifestyle Writer | February 4, 2025

Editor’s note: Contains spoilers.   It has been years since a solo Spider-Man series aired, and “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” from Disney+ brings promise to the wall-crawler. The series focuses on Peter Parker’s early years...

Students converse among themselves after the Hasty Measures Concert’s conclusion. Hasty Measures was a music event held by the Composition Club which gave composers 24 hours to compose a piece before assigning those pieces to performers to learn in 24 hours. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Hasty Measures concert challenges musicians

By Ethan Quirk, Lifestyle Writer | February 3, 2025

Music isn’t usually written in a day, but the students of the Composition Club decided to challenge the notion by doing just that. Held at 6 p.m. in the Music Building, the Hasty Measures concert gave composers 24 hours to write their songs on Friday,...

Son Goku fires a Kamehameha wave while in his Super Saiyan transformation. "Dragon Ball: DAIMA" is set to conclude Feb. 28 and is the last work of the franchise's creator Akira Toriyama." (Crunchyroll under Fair Use)

‘Dragon Ball DAIMA’ represents the best of ‘Dragon Ball’ franchise

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Editor | February 2, 2025

Since the series’ release in October 2024, “Dragon Ball DAIMA” has ensnared the attention of many fans of the franchise who eagerly await the final four episodes of the season.  Currently in the story, the main crew of Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo,...

The Avalon String Quartet bow after returning to the stage to perform “String Quintet No. 2 in G Major Op. 77” composed by Antonín Dvořák. The piece was originally composed in 1875 with its first performance a year later. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: Avalon String Quartet plays for NIU

By Totus Tuus Keely, Senior Photojournalist | January 31, 2025

Jonathan Shelby stands with his arm raised behind the Weekend Rundown logo. This Weekend Writeup features events such as the Hasty Measures concert and the Polarpalooza winter festival. (Ryan Day | Northern Star)

Hasty concerts, winter celebrations this weekend

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Editor | January 31, 2025

In this Weekend Writeup, you can find events such as a winter festival, an electronic music concert and more.  ELECTRONIC COMPUTER MUSIC CONCERT 1 Date and Time: 7 p.m. Friday Location: Recital Hall, Music Building  This performance led...

A red snake slithers next to the year "2025." This Lunar New Year is the year of the Snake, symbolizing letting go of the past and looking toward the future. (GettyImages)

Slither into the Lunar New Year

By Ethan Quirk, Lifestyle Writer | January 30, 2025

Although New Year’s Day has passed, people can still welcome the new year – the Lunar New Year. Also known as the Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, it celebrates starting over and welcoming spring. Each Lunar New Year follows the moon's...

The Chinese Music Ensemble smiles for a group photo after their performance. The Ensemble performed in the Founders Memorial Library to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Jonathan Shelby | Northern Star)

Chinese Ensemble celebrates Lunar New Year

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Editor | January 30, 2025

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Chinese Music Ensemble from the World Music Program headed down to the Founders Memorial Library to perform.  The Chinese Music Ensemble performed several songs in the Sounds of Celebration concert at 4 p.m. Wednesday...

A player fires the AC-8 Autocannon at a group of enemies. Five U.S. territories were removed from the restrictions list set in May last year. (Jonathan Shelby| Northern Star)

‘Helldivers 2’ returns to five U.S. territories after ban

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Editor | January 30, 2025

“Helldivers 2” has had quite the rocky journey since its release last February and is better than ever with some of the territories affected by the PSN debacle finally free.  On Jan. 23, five U.S. territories restricted from purchasing “Helldivers...

Conductor Tom Bough and the NIU Wind Ensemble take a bow after performing "Soul to Soul." The NIU School of Music performed several pieces of music created by Black composers to celebrate Black History Month. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

NIU Wind Ensemble celebrates Black composers

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | January 29, 2025

The NIU Wind Ensemble performed pieces from Black composers at the Music of Black Composers Showcase.  From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m, the NIU Wind Ensemble blew the audience away with their performance in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building....

The faces of Ryan Day, Emily Beebe, Nia Jackson and Kahlil Kambui are placed next to the StarNotes logo. In this episode, they discuss their thoughts on the "Mufasa" movie and the "Lion King" franchise. (Ryan Day | Northern Star)

StarNotes: ‘Mufasa,’ an odd addition to ‘Lion King’ franchise

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Editor | January 28, 2025

In this episode of "StarNotes," Ryan Day, Kahlil Kambui, Emily Beebe and Nia Jackson discuss their thoughts on the live action movie “Mufasa.” Released last month, this film takes place before the events of “The Lion King" and follows the early...

A pair of chopsticks pick up Lo mein noodles. The Asian American Resource Center held a noodle kitchen night Monday to celebrate the Chinese New Year. (Getty Images)

Culture told through cuisine in ‘Noodle Night’

By Ethan Quirk, Lifestyle Writer | January 27, 2025

Noodles are more than just delicious food. They are symbols of longevity, prosperity and peace.  NIU’s Nutrition Services partnered with the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) to host a test kitchen for people to cook noodle dishes for the Lunar...