Observer Department: Arts and Entertainment
Music Thrives at NECC
For a few years now, the Northern Essex Haverhill Campus has been graced with the sound of music. The hills are alive… well, Haver-hill! Upon entering the Spurk building’s front doors, students and faculty are greeted with the vibrant colors of this beautiful piano and if they’re lucky enough,…
Hurricane Diane play revival takes NECC by storm
In a dazzling display of talent and creativity, the Northern Essex Community College theater scene was electrified by the remarkable production of “Hurricane Diane.” The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) selected the production as a finalist for the Region 1 Festival, taking place from Jan. 30 to Feb.…
Usher’s Super Bowl performance exceeds expectations
Thousands of football fans attend the Super Bowl every year as they cheer on their favorite team in hopes for their team to win the championship but what about the fans who stay home? Not thousands but millions of fans back home gather around their tv, tablet, iPad, or iPhone…
How women dominated the 2024 Grammys: Are awards shows finally moving in a new direction?
Award season is in full swing, an exciting time for enjoyers of all things entertainment. The 66th Annual Grammy Awards were held on Sunday, February 4th, and proved to be an important night in the music world. Of all discourse surrounding the award show, one of the most prevalent topics…
“Hurricane Diane” competes at festival, will return to NECC
The spring semester started with a bang for Northern Essex Community College theater students and professor Brianne Beatrice. They went right back into the theater to start re-rehearsing last spring’s production, Hurricane Diane.Beatrice learned just before the holiday break that representatives from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF)…
From Dreamhouse to drama: “Barbie” film snubbed at the Oscars
Barbie had a stellar year getting eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and being the highest-grossing film of 2023 making more than $1.4 billion worldwide, yet somehow two of the most pivotal parts of the movie failed to be recognized. Back on Jan. 23, social media were in a frenzy…
The ups and downs of the 66th annual Grammy Awards
The 66th annual Grammy Awards took place on February 4, 2024, celebrating the best in music of 2023. It was a night filled with amazing performances, memorable moments, and it raised some eyebrows. Miley Cyrus gave an iconic performance of her hit song “Flowers” at the award show, the same…
Jay Z criticizes the Grammys, sparking debate about award issue
American rapper Jay-Z, who went on stage to accept the Dr. Dr Global Impact Award, called out the Grammys for their snubs against his wife, famous singer Beyoncé. During the televised event, Jay-Z was presented with the award, which honors Black musicians who have influenced the industry, celebrating his achievements…
Art professor’s work on view at local gallery
Marc Mannheimer has been an artist all his life. Since long before selling his first piece or becoming a professor of art and design at Northern Essex Community College, art was always an intrinsic part of who he is. The heart of the art world, New York City, which has…
Album Review: “Heaven Knows” by Pink Pantheress
UK singer-songwriter PinkPantheress’ studio debut “Heaven Knows” opens with the sound of electric cathedral organs on the first track “Another life,” featuring Nigerian artist Rema. It’s a pleasant track, it’s tight synthwork, subtle breakbeat percussion, and surprise guitar solo making clear what PinkPantheress does best; hooks. Even on her earliest…
