Lifestyle

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LIFESTYLE 2/22/24 10:46am

Student-run LGBTQ+ arts festival aims to uplift LGBTQ+ communities at Elon University

By Sarah T. Moore

When sophomore Sophie Verrecchia remembers dancing in “Luminosity,” she thinks about the community she found and how everyone she worked with was warm and welcoming. Now, Verrecchia and 81 other students are working together to bring Elon’s student-run LGBTQ+ arts festival back for a second year. “Breakthrough” — this year’s festival — hopes to continue Morrill’s legacy, building off of their research and showcasing student creatives. The festival will have events from Feb. 23 to 25, starting with a kickoff celebration at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Center for the Arts Isabella Cannon Room.

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LIFESTYLE 2/20/24 8:09am

Netflix series ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’ features Elon University alum

By Sarah T. Moore

Greensboro native and “My Life with the Walter Boys” actor Jaylan Evans remembers going to see plays and musicals at Elon University throughout high school. As he was applying to music theatre programs across the country, Evans said he continued to find himself drawn to Elon. Evans graduated from Elon in 2020, amid a global pandemic, and moved to New York a year later. He had two roles under his belt by then, one as a guest star in an episode of “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” and the other as a voice actor in a Netflix animated children’s show.

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LIFESTYLE 2/19/24 11:11am

Abusua dance concert at Elon University explores Black narrative

By Ruth Cruz

Elon University’s Performing Arts department presented “Abusua” in honor of Black History Month. The performers reflected a narrative of the struggles within the Black community. They incorporated realistic experiences that captivated the audience with a mixture of contemporary and Jazz. The dedicated and passionate performers explored the beauty of Black culture through traditional African dance at McCrary Theater on Feb. 16 and 17. They used the term Abusua to represent their idea of family, according to artistic director Keshia Wall. This was a recurrent theme throughout the performance which reflected their values as a diverse group.

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LIFESTYLE 2/16/24 10:59am

Phoenix Flavors vending machine opens in Truitt Center

By Jordyn Forni

The Truitt Center, located in the Numen Lumen Pavilion, is introducing a new dining option to Elon University's campus which includes kosher, halal and pareve food: the Phoenix Flavors vending machine. The machine is currently in a pilot period, but there is already a lot of excitement from students — according to Interim Assistant Dean of Multifaith Engagement Hillary Zaken. Kosher is a dietary restriction that is based on the Jewish religion, while Halal is based on the Islamic religion. Pareve foods — which are often vegan except for fish products — can be eaten with either meat or dairy products and still be kosher.

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LIFESTYLE 2/16/24 8:03am

African Diaspora LLC creates community on campus

By Kymani Jackson

Freshman Adrianna Stapleton was skeptical about what her social life would look like at Elon University due to the lack of diversity. That’s why she applied to live in the African Diaspora Living Learning Community for her first year. Elon’s African Diaspora LLC provides a residential space where students can live while learning about the Diaspora. The African Diaspora refers to the descendants of Africans who have migrated across the world, whether voluntarily or forcefully. This LLC highlights African American, Black and African cultures worldwide. 

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LIFESTYLE 2/12/24 5:00pm

Elon University’s sold-out production of ‘A Chorus Line’ brings Broadway classic to campus

By Sarah T. Moore

Freshman Eric Pettit remembers auditioning for Elon University’s music theatre program, trying to stand out among his peers in hopes of getting in. For his first Elon show, Pettit said he found himself channeling that energy again as he played Mark Anthony in “A Chorus Line.” The Broadway classic “A Chorus Line” premiered in 1975 and won a Pulitzer Prize the following year. While there have been a wide variety of “A Chorus Line” productions and revivals, Pettit said Elon’s production was intentionally very reminiscent of the original Broadway production.

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LIFESTYLE 2/6/24 3:51pm

Elon Watches: “Black Box Diaries”

By Lucy Samuels

Following her own case of sexual assault from 2015, journalist and filmmakers Shiori Ito’s documentary “Black Box Diaries” covers her personal and journalistic journey in Japan as she tries to prosecute her high-profile rapist. Ito’s work has made waves in Japan’s legal system. She continues to sue for defamation after her momentous court case in 2019 at the Tokyo District Court where she was given 3.3 million yen in damages from her alleged rapist, Noriyuki Yamaguchi. While no arrest has been made, her continued victories in court make the “#MeToo” movement a more dominant narrative in Japan.

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LIFESTYLE 2/3/24 2:57pm

Elon Watches: ‘A Different Man’ delivers a different kind of film

By Harrison Saini

Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man” follows a struggling actor named Edward, who, after undergoing an experimental facial reconstruction surgery, becomes fixated on an actor in a stage production of his former life. Schimberg’s screenplay touches on a lot of different themes, but the exploration of insecurity is the beating heart of the movie. His approach shows how insecurity can hold us back from achieving greatness while simultaneously depicting how it can transform someone into the worst version of themselves. The screenplay is masterful. Watching Edward slowly begin to drown in his insecurities is just horrifying as it is weirdly entertaining.

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LIFESTYLE 2/2/24 9:38am

Elon University’s production of ‘The Antipodes’ explores humanity, connection

By Sarah T. Moore

With four remaining performances Feb. 2 to 4, Elon University’s winter play “The Antipodes” asks audience members to reflect on how stories and storytelling shape the human perspective. Set in a writers’ room, Annie Baker’s “The Antipodes” follows a group of creatives striving to work together and come up with the perfect story, the next big hit. The remaining shows are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 3 and Feb. 4. The play has a runtime of two hours with no intermission and is located in Roberts Studio Theatre.

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LIFESTYLE 1/22/24 3:05pm

Latin-Country musician emphasizes connection with students

By Monika Jurevicius

Country-Latin musician Angie K stepped onto the Irazú Coffee shop stage as she performed for Elon University students for the fourth time, remembering her musical start at small venues. She said the base of her work is seeing people connect and admiring how students open up to each other as she plays. While the fountains at Elon catch her eye, Angie K said the interactions at Irazú are what pulls her back to Elon. Freshman Cecilia Marie, who prefers to go by her stage name, also opened for Angie on Jan. 11.  

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LIFESTYLE 1/20/24 2:50pm

Elon University winter play weaves narrative of storytelling, collaboration

By Sarah T. Moore

Elon University’s winter play, Annie Baker’s “The Antipodes,” opened Jan. 20 and will have a total of nine showings through Feb. 4 in Roberts Studio Theatre. “The Antipodes” follows a group of writers trying to figure out what story to tell — prompting each other with personal questions, sharing anecdotes, drinking LaCroix and navigating the pressures of deadlines and the legacies of past successful projects. There will be 2 p.m. showings on Jan. 20, Jan. 21, Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 and 7:30 p.m. showings on Jan. 20, Jan. 22, Jan. 23, Feb. 2 and Feb. 3.

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LIFESTYLE 1/11/24 8:13pm

Elon Cares raises over $2000 during 17th annual fundraiser

By Sarah T. Moore

Through two shows, 17 raffle items and the work of over 40 students, Elon Cares raised over $2,000 in combined cash and online donations to support the national nonprofit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS in its 17th annual benefit cabaret on Jan. 10.  The money raised at the event will help provide medication, meals, financial assistance and other resources to people living with HIV, AIDS and other critical illnesses. According to senior Sara LiBrandi, the creative team wanted entertaining songs that centered LGBTQ+ stories, or could be performed through an LGBTQ+ lens, because HIV disproportionately affects the LGBTQ+ communities.

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LIFESTYLE 12/21/23 5:33pm

Elon Watches: “Blue Eye Samurai”

By Lucy Samuels

In the shadows of Japan’s samurai legacy lies one unique warrior: Mizu, The Infamous Blue Eye Samurai. Written by Michael Green and Amber Noizumi for Netflix, “Blue Eye Samurai” is a wildly refreshing and action-packed adult animated series. The series follows Mizu, a downtrodden warrior who is outcast because of her blue eyes. In the show, her mixed race heritage of half-Japanese and half-European is seen as a subhuman trait as portrayed in the show. As a result, Mizu hides her blue eyes with tinted sunglasses and a Ronin hat, concealing her identity as both mixed race and female.

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LIFESTYLE 11/26/23 2:51pm

Alamance County’s art community rebounds

By Cailey Cetani

In a county marked by its rural character and economic differences, Alamance County has had a slow start to bring together the art community once more after the pandemic restrictions were lifted. Artists and event organizers alike have been eager to revive the art scene in Alamance, but have faced challenges in their quest to do so. With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, Burlington Recreation & Parks Department is able to resume events at pre-pandemic capacity. Echeverria said they are now able to revamp and improve the events put on. The only problem is getting the attendance to match the improvements. 

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LIFESTYLE 11/23/23 6:31am

Elon University alums dance through New York City in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

By Sarah T. Moore

Hannah Kevitt ’23 graduated from Elon University in May and made her Broadway debut in “Back to the Future: The Musical” shortly after. Kevitt will be performing alongside the cast of “Back to the Future: The Musical" at the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Nov. 23 in New York City — broadcast on NBC. “How to Dance in Ohio,” with Elon junior Marina Jansen, is also in the parade lineup.

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LIFESTYLE 11/22/23 6:16pm

Finding folk: the North Carolina “Festival of Discovery”

By Jenna Manderioli

For North Carolina Folk Festival’s director of operations, Lynn Witherspoon, this festival is “no Coachella.” Rather, she refers to it as the “festival of discovery.” People don’t attend the three-day festival in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina because they know all the words to every song. The festival’s goal is to expand its audiences’ music palette. The National Folk Festival was founded and started in Greensboro in 2015. In 2018, the National Folk Festival disbanded into different faceted festivals around the country. The “North Carolina Folk Festival” is still hosted in Greensboro and is in its 6th year.

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LIFESTYLE 11/20/23 9:13am

Irazú supports Elon University community with family values

By Lilly Molina

Irazú started out as a dream for Rod Salazar. He had pitched the idea of opening a coffee shop in the Burlington community to his mother Rosario Villalobos in 2004. The pair quit their jobs and rented a space on Church Street that required intense renovations. Villalobos said at the time, there were no coffee shops in Burlington, so they were eager to open the shop and fill this need in the community. However, when they opened in 2004, so did the Starbucks on Church Street. Becky Villalobos, Rosario’s daughter and current manager of Irazú, said how this deeply hurt the business. 

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LIFESTYLE 11/17/23 1:37pm

From McCrary to Manhattan: Elon University’s presence on Broadway

By Sarah T. Moore

From May 5, 2022 to April 27, 20 actors from Elon performed in a Broadway show. According to Playbill, a national magazine and website for theatergoers, Elon is the 13th most represented college on Broadway in 2023 — a three-place drop from Playbill’s 2022 list of represented colleges and universities. As Elon University junior Marina Jansen joined Elon’s cohort of Broadway performers, they also became one of four people from Elon to make their Broadway debut in 2023, alongside Steven Telsey ’18 in “Harmony,” Nick Martinez ’15 in “Moulin Rouge” and Hannah Kevitt ’23 in “Back to the Future: The Musical.”

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LIFESTYLE 11/15/23 9:29pm

Elon University digital art showcase displays importance of recognizing Indigenous artists, history

By Charlotte Pfabe

Elon University’s Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education hosted a beading workshop, as well as an Indigenous digital art showcase, as part of its Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month celebration. The workshop was led by Vickie Jeffries, a tribal administrator for the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, and took place in the CREDE office Nov. 13. “Inventive Minds: An Indigenous Art Showcase” displayed a variety of artworks from different time periods. Set up in the CREDE office on the second floor of Moseley, viewers walked around and looked at art from museums, caves and more. 

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LIFESTYLE 11/15/23 1:19pm

Student-written play at Elon University explores nuances of LGBTQ+ identity, significance of safe spaces

By Sarah T. Moore

In her sophomore year, now junior Laney Lynch was sitting in an acting class when she got the idea to write “Cardboard Boxes.” Lynch said the class was going over Anton Chekhov, a 19th century Russian playwright whose work included Elon University’s 2022 spring play “The Cherry Orchard.” “Cardboard Boxes” is a contemporary play that follows a group of college students learning how to be true to themselves. Lynch said this theme stemmed from wanting to explore the nuances of being LGBTQ+ in college. 

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