Observer Department: Arts and Entertainment
“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…
“Scott Pilgrim Takes Off” is a remake that soars above the norm
In this age of endless remakes and reboots dominating our screens, there is one television show that has instantly become a reigning testament on not only how to create dynamic and engaging remakes, but on why doing so can add new layers of rich story elements that benefit the ardent…
Disney’s “Wish” another failure at the box office
Disney’s newest animated feature “Wish” failed to place first at the box office over Thanksgiving weekend, making it one of the worst openings for a Disney movie in recent years. The film, which was directed by Chris Buck, known for directing movies such as “Tarzan” and “Frozen”, and Fawn Verrasunthron…
Pete Davidson and Friends: Does the former SNL star still have it?
30-year-old comedian Pete Davidson recently stopped at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston during his ongoing “Pete Davidson and Friends Tour”. The show, which lasted approximately 120 minutes, gave audiences a tase of the edgy, energetic, and funny comedian that many fans have grown to love. Davidson, who started his career…
Holiday spirit: “A Christmas Carol” returns to NECC
“A Christmas Carol,” the classic season story is back in NECC Theater on Dec 8, 9 and 10. “Every year (it) puts me in the Christmas mood. The carols and theme. So, I love it. It's so difficult sometimes to get into that mood of holidays and it just does…
