Observer Department: Arts and Entertainment
Tarot Talk Part 4: The Finale – Completion, Reflection, and the Road Ahead
The final exam period has concluded and the last paper was submitted. The silence on the Northern Essex Community College (NECC) campus is palpable. After weeks of driving willpower and pushing boundaries, this is officially the time to transition from high-gear academic action to low-gear reflection and celebration. For this…
NECC’s comedy connections
Like most colleges, NECC has solid ties to the creative arts. A simple look through the school’s course catalog shows that classes are offered in drama, music, graphic design and more. What may not be as well known is that NECC has solid ties to the world of stand up…
Robert Irwin wins mirrorball trophy on ‘DWTS’
On Tuesday night, November 25, wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson were crowned the new champions of Dancing with the Stars season 34. This event followed an 11-week long competition full of pressure, perseverance, and most importantly the growing emotional attachment to dance experience throughout the season.…
Tarot Talk Part 3: Getting over the hump and preparing for the wind down of the semester
As the semester transitions from the midterms into its final third, the tone on the Northern Essex Community College (NECC) campuses shifts. The chaos of the midterms has passed, but the initial burst of energy is long gone. Students are now battling fatigue, staring down finals, and wrestling with the…
NECC vs. the world of object shows
Most students and other people at Northern Essex Community College have likely never heard of a phenomenal YouTube sensation known as object shows. These types of shows, which include the series Battle for Dream Island and Inanimate Insanity, are based on anthropomorphic object characters going through Survivor-like challenges in a…
Students say modern music has become cliche
As modern hits dominate streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and TikTok, many college students say today’s popular songs have lost their resonance and lyricism compared to the past. The algorithms on social media and streaming platforms have transformed music consumption into short, catchy clips. Several students at Northern…
Music students shine at Cabaret
More than 50 people assembled in the Multi-Purpose Room of the David Hartleb Technology Center, as the NECC Choral and Music Club and NECC Music presented their 29th Cabaret on Oct. 22. Running from 7-9 p.m., 15 students performed in various musical styles, starting with a vocal performance of West…
Faculty art show opens in gallery
The faculty art show gallery opening happened on Thursday Oct. 23, 2025. It consisted of artworks from the art teachers here at Northern Essex. At the event there were four faculty members who participated in this art gallery but one was unfortunately absent for the event. The gallery show consisted…
Tarot Talk Part 2: Navigating the burnout, midterms and the road to finishing the semester
The start of the semester, heralded by the bright, cheerful optimism of cards like The Magician and The Star, often feels like a distant memory once midterms hit. At Northern Essex Community College, the initial excitement has likely given way to the heavy reality of deadlines, late-night study sessions, and…
Local artist makes music debut
Northern Essex Community College freshman and Amesbury native Andrew Baker has spent months working on his first full length project, a melodic rap and R&B album titled AB8. With the unofficial release date set for Oct. 17, Baker said he’s ready to try and make his mark in the music…
