Lifestyle

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LIFESTYLE 5/3/24 4:54pm

El Centro celebrates Elon University’s LatinX/Hispanic community with release of “Perspectivas”

By Nia Bedard

Elon University’s Latinx/Hispanic student center, El Centro, celebrated their value of “mi comunidad” with the release of its zine, “Perspectivas.” “Perspectivas,” is a zine published on a semesterly basis that gives a space for Latinx/Hispanic-identifying students the opportunity to publish their art. The first edition of the magazine was released last fall and was created and supervised by junior Leslie Aviles. This edition is centered around the value of “mi comunidad,” one of El Centro’s core values that can be found on their website.

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LIFESTYLE 4/29/24 4:04pm

Elon, Eastlawn elementary school gardens act as outdoor classrooms

By Charlotte Pfabe

Tucked behind Elon and Eastlawn Elementary are over 20 plant beds growing fruits and vegetables. In the gardens, the crops are ready for the peak spring season. Created and maintained entirely by volunteers, many Elon University students are involved in the efforts that go into taking care of the space. Both gardens work with the North Carolina School Garden Network, which connects schools from across the state with resources to build their own gardens. Elon Professor Scott Morrison is a founding member of the network and sees the gardens as extensions of the classroom.

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LIFESTYLE 4/25/24 12:37pm

Elon Performing Arts presents “Myths and Hymns” for spring musical

By Nia Bedard

After learning “Myths and Hymns” would be the spring musical, Elon professor and director Alexandra Joye Warren knew she would have to add some sort of story into the song cycle. Song cycles are a group of individually complete songs designed to be performed in a sequence without having an overarching narrative. “Myths and Hymns” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on April 26, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on April 27 and at 2 p.m. on April 28 in Roberts Studio Theatre in Scott Studios. Tickets are $15 at the door or free with an Elon ID.

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LIFESTYLE 4/25/24 10:56am

Elon University students reimagine classic fairytale in original musical

By Sarah T. Moore

A kickline, a love song, a villain monologue and a cardboard cutout of Mark Sloan from Grey’s Anatomy — these were all elements in “Sleeping Beauty,” a student-written reimagining of the classic fairy tale. NewWorks, a student organization that produces original student works, hosted three showings of a workshop production. “Sleeping Beauty” was the first musical NewWorks has produced, written by Elon senior and acting major Graham Cole. The workshop production took place in the Center for the Arts Isabella Cannon Room with a full run of the first act and a short collection of scenes and songs from act two.

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LIFESTYLE 4/23/24 11:07am

Ines Bakery: from street corner to big dreams in every bite

By Lilly Molina

Ines Roets smelled the hints of tobacco on the streets of Calle Ocho in Miami as she sold her empanadas to tobacco rollers and other businesses. With one hand guiding a stroller, her infant son inside, and her other hand holding a cooler filled with savory empanadas, this is where Roets got her start.  Every morning and afternoon Ines returned to Calle Ocho and people couldn’t get enough of her empanadas. This is when she realized there was something special here, so she held onto it. 

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LIFESTYLE 4/22/24 11:08am

Elon University student organization K-DNS embraces K-pop and community

By Katharyn MacDonald

There were bright smiles and laughter as members of Elon University’s K-pop student organization K-DNS headed into a Koury Center studio Sunday evening, chatting about their weekends. As soon as the music was on, they were in position, smiles still on their faces and ready to dance. K-DNS, which stands for K-pop Dancing ’n Singing, is an audition-based group that provides a space for students to hone skills and share their love of K-pop. It has three subgroups, the Dance, Vocal and Rap Units — as well as general members that are involved in many facets.

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LIFESTYLE 4/21/24 9:26pm

Elon Watches: The Fall Guy

By Harrison Saini

Stunt performers are some of the most overlooked and underrated people in Hollywood. Despite a lack of recognition, they are often the reason why so many films are as exciting or adrenaline inducing as they are. Their skill, precision and dedication bring the most daring action sequences to life, and it is their passion and dedication that are at the heart of David Leitch’s new action film, “The Fall Guy.” The film follows stuntman Colt Seavers, played by Ryan Gosling, as he returns to the world of filmmaking only to find that the actor he doubles has mysteriously disappeared.  

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LIFESTYLE 4/21/24 3:56pm

Élan Vocal Jazz Ensemble performs classics of the jazz and swing eras at Elon University

By Ruth Cruz

Open the curtains and set the stage for Élan students to prepare a beautiful ensemble of unique melodies. Élan’s powerful performance reflected student talent and spirit.  Élan Vocal Jazz Ensemble presented “Songs of Love” a mix of jazz and swing classics of the 40’s and 50’s eras. The group performed a fusion of musical elements from the past to present. Musicians collaborated with students on April 18 at McCrary Theatre to explore swing-style music. 

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LIFESTYLE 4/21/24 11:25am

Elon student vendor honors late grandmother with business

By Monika Jurevicius

Sadie Guffey was tending her booth with her newest product on the table, a super-sized version of her crocheted acorns. When Elon President Connie Book ordered two of the acorns after seeing them, Guffey knew she had achieved so much more than she thought she could, especially for her late grandmother who taught her the craft she practices now. Guffey only learned to crochet in summer of 2023 after she came back from her study abroad. Guffey’s grandmother had been diagnosed with cancer on Feb. 22, 2022, and had tasked herself with teaching all the grandchildren the craft while she was recovering at home.

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LIFESTYLE 4/20/24 12:17pm

Burlington coffee shop, The Daily Grind, emphasizes intentionality

By Audrey Geib

Morning light spills through the windows, casting an orange hue over the pink walls and green plants scattered throughout the small cafe. It’s 7 a.m., and The Daily Grind is open for another busy day of walk-ins and drive-through customers. Following its soft opening in June 2023, the Daily Grind has grown in popularity. Owner Emily Baker said that the team wants to emphasize intentionality with each customer served within the coffee shop. 

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LIFESTYLE 4/19/24 11:46am

Elon’s new bakery, Cakes etc. by Cindy, embraces community amid advertising roadblocks

By Cailey Cetani

A wall of sweet smelling baked goods greets customers as they walk into Cakes, etc. by Cindy. To enter the bakery, just look for the neon open sign on the ground floor of the Acorn Inn. People can find the owner Cindy Pettiford behind the counter along with her husband, Cory Pettiford and her three sons.  The bakery opened last year on July 15, 2023 and has continued to produce goods ranging from pound cakes to cobblers to banana pudding. Before baking, Cindy worked as a part time customer service worker and notary on top of baking at home. 

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LIFESTYLE 4/18/24 2:30pm

Student production of ‘Pippin’ has ‘Magic to Do’ for three sold-out audiences at Elon University

By Sarah T. Moore

After learning about Renegade Productions through a friend, Elon University freshman Jackson Bennett signed up for the student organization’s newsletter last fall. Now, on April 19 and 20, the Cinema and Television Arts major will be performing as the title role in Renegade’s spring musical, “Pippin.” While the show’s three performances are sold-out, Renegade Productions is doing a free ticket lottery that anyone can enter. The lottery winner will be drawn at 5 p.m. on April 18 and information about how to enter is on the club’s Instagram page, @elonrenegade. Performances are at 8:30 p.m. April 19 and 20 and there is a 3 p.m. performance on April 20. 

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LIFESTYLE 4/16/24 7:54pm

Under the stars: Elon University’s Black Student Union hosts first annual met gala

By Erin Martin

Themed “A night under the stars,” the first annual Black Student Union met gala event was held April 13 and brought together students from diverse backgrounds across corners of campus to revel in a night of celebration and camaraderie.

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LIFESTYLE 4/15/24 10:21am

Limelight Records twin duo release their self-titled debut album

By Charlotte Pfabe

Whether they're blending their voices to create heavenly harmonies or playing dazzling melodies on piano and guitar, Ali and Andi Dalton find comfort in performing together. As identical twins, Ali and Andi have been writing music together for a few years and recently released their debut album, titled “Ali and Andi,” on March 31. Ali and Andi’s music falls into the singer-songwriter, folk genre, with plucky guitar lines and breathy vocals layered on top of one another to create a chorus of harmonies. Andi and Ali returned to their hometown on April 5 to celebrate the release of their album with a release party and performance.

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LIFESTYLE 4/13/24 9:46pm

Elon Motorsports hosts community car show

By Monika Jurevicius

Cars of all generations gathered in the back of Schar Center for the Elon Motorsports car show. 60 participants from the Elon community came together to sponsor or enjoy the event. Elon Motorsports club hosted the car show for an end-of-year event on April 13 with partnerships from other North Carolina universities and the local community. Local car group Burlington Cruise In joined the group of students in the event. Vice President of Elon Motorsports Quintin Lasky said the event was to introduce new motorsport enthusiasts to the community, as well as bringing the experienced groups together.

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LIFESTYLE 4/13/24 2:25pm

Photo Gallery: Elon University hosts annual spring pride event

By Rachel Holley

The Gender and LGBTQIA Center at Elon University hosted its annual spring pride event on April 12 at Young Commons. The event was open to the public in hopes of educating the community on LGBTQ+ identities, with the theme “Flower Power.” 

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LIFESTYLE 4/11/24 4:11pm

Elon Performing Arts presents Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” for spring play

By Nia Bedard

Elon University’s performing arts department presents William Shakespeare’s comedy, “As You Like It” for the main stage spring play from April 11 to 13. “As You Like It” will be performed in McCrary Theater in the Center for the Arts on April 11 and April 12 at 7:30 p.m. and on April 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 or free with an Elon ID and can be purchased on Elon’s ticketing website. When deciding on productions for the 2023-24 season, director and Elon professor Kevin Ortos advocated the play to the season selection committee.

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LIFESTYLE 4/11/24 12:35pm

Elon University Percussion Ensemble examines music from international composers

By Ruth Cruz

The Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert explored a beautiful mix of sounds from around the world. Students performed a variety of music from international composers on April 10 in Yeager Recital Hall. The Percussion instruments included rattles, cymbals, gongs, hand drums, shakers, marimbas and more. Ensemble director and music instructor Isaac Pyatt focused on the complexities of sound from various instruments to create harmony. He said a talented musician can alter any object to create beautiful melodies. Pyatt said he hopes he can transform student experiences and enhance their musical journey through percussion instruments.

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LIFESTYLE 4/9/24 10:43am

Grand Night features student-produced music theater, emotional senior send-off

By Katharyn MacDonald

In four sold-out shows of song, dance and looking back on college journeys, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre students performed together in Grand Night — a collage of performances that showcased the program’s talents — on April 5 and 6 in Elon University’s Roberts Studio Theatre. Students directed, music directed and choreographed 15 numbers across many genres. Caroline Borio, assistant student director and senior performer, said everyone always looks forward to doing their senior class number. Assistant Professor of Music Theatre Courtney Liu, who managed Grand Night with Guest Instructor Jane Lanier, called it a “real tear-jerker.”

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LIFESTYLE 4/6/24 11:05am

Holi celebration educates students about Hindu culture, spreads awareness for diverse religions

By Ruth Cruz

Elon University’s Truitt Center celebrated the end of winter and the warmth of spring with the Holi Festival of Colors at Speaker’s Corner on April 5. Holi represents hope and new beginnings in the Hindu culture. The spring festival includes colored powder — or gulal — or colored water. Holi aims to commemorate connection and companionship, as well as bring the community together to acknowledge diverse cultures. The festival also teaches students about India, Hinduism, and traditional stories reflected in the celebration. University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement Kirstin Boswell encourages students to participate in these events, which offer opportunities to learn about diverse cultures.

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