The Daily Northwestern — February 19th, 2024

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Students nd their perfect match, giggle on ursday in ‘Studio 22’s Live Dating Show’

Choirs celebrate L. Stanley Davis

Community vocal groups gather to remember gospel choir founder

By SAMANTHA POWERS daily senior staffer @sqpowers04

Alice Millar Chapel was lled with joyful sounds Sunday a ernoon as dozens of NU

community members sang, clapped and danced to gospel music.

e concert was a tribute to L. Stanley Davis (Weinberg ’74, Communication ‘97). A former Northwestern professor and cofounder of NU’s premier gospel

Hillel hosts open Shabbat services

Annual dinner relocates to Ryan Fieldhouse in 2024

By ISAIAH STEINBERG the daily northwestern @isaiahstei27

For Jews around the world, Shabbat brings a day of holiness and rest every week from Friday evening to Saturday evening. But, Northwestern Hillel’s annual MegaShabbat extravaganza, held in Ryan Fieldhouse Friday, took the tradition to a new level.

Hillel first began hosting the celebration in 2012 and, with the exception of a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has continued to welcome community members for a hearty meal and celebration of Jewish culture ever since.

“Every week at Hillel, we have a great dinner, a great community, everything like that, but this is blown up times 50 or so,” Weinberg junior and Hillel Student Executive

Board President Sari Eisen said. “It’s a really great way for so many students to come together and enjoy a great meal and enjoy each other’s company.”

About 500 students, faculty and NU community members a ended this year’s collaborative event between Hillel and Chabad. e event featured religious services in the Technological Institute, Shabbat’s customary challah and grape juice, Jewish-themed mocktails, a performance from NU’s Jewish a capella group ShireiNU and a catered meal of chicken piccata, risotto, salad and roasted vegetables.

About 500 students and faculty a ended MegaShabbat.

With MegaShabbat, Hillel aims to bring together Jewish and non-Jewish students to share in part of Jewish culture, according to Weinberg senior Lily Cohen, logistics co-chair of the MegaShabbat planning commi ee.

“MegaShabbat is only one of the amazing large-scale

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choir, the Northwestern Community Ensemble, Davis passed away in August 2023.

Sunday’s event featured performances by the Chicago Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, the Alice Millar Chapel Choir and NCE. Singers

concluded the event with a fullgroup rendition of “Total Praise.” Communication Prof. Kent Brooks, an old friend of Davis, spoke between his performances on the piano. Although Brooks

3 CAMPUS/SOFO ASG Leaders, NU admin discuss student org funds

High

EPD addresses sta vacancies

A er contract raises salaries, police fill many open spaces

By MISHA OBEROI the daily northwestern

After severe staffing cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Evanston Police Department has been taking measures to fill its vacancies.

In mid-2022, EPD had a high of 27 vacancies in the department. As of Jan. 10, there were 17 vacancies.

“We’re filling faster than we’re losing,” EPD Cmdr. Ryan Glew told The Daily.

Glew said officers’ compensations at the EPD were lagging in comparison to other departments before City Council voted to boost pay, with a gross wage increase of 26% over the next four years, in January 2023.

Officer Juan Navarrete said that Police Chief Schenita Stewart, who was appointed to head EPD in September 2022, was a big proponent of the wage increase.

Navarrete, who previously worked at the Chicago Police Department and joined EPD in November 2022, said he

also appreciates how Stewart has been giving officers positions like detectives and supervisors, something that wouldn’t happen in the CPD.

“A police officer is not just a police officer here, they could be a field training officer, they can be an evidence technician, they can be a detective,” he said. “You don’t really see that in Chicago. If you’re on patrol, that’s all you do.”

EPD also promoted several officers recently, according to Navarrete. Most recently, they promoted three sergeants to commanders on Jan. 29. Navarrete said those promotions have increased morale.

Casey Solomon, a human resources specialist for the city, said promotions can be a double-edged sword. Although they help recognize hard work, they also leave open vacancies, Solomon said.

“Unfortunately, even though it’s in a good way because it’s going to build morale and confidence and leadership, we have people that are advancing from officer to sergeant soon. So that will unfortunately bring us back a little bit again,” he said.

Solomon said the department’s most rewarding

By ISABEL SU the daily northwestern @isabelsu_

Ume Tea, Evanston’s newest boba establishment, handed out “All U need is ME this Valentine’s Day” cards to passersby last week at its newly opened storefront on 618 ½ Church St.

The Valentine’s Day cards are part of an effort by Ume Tea to interact with the local community and set itself apart from Evanston’s other boba shops, Zuoda Wang, a cofounder of the business, said.

For Saturday’s grand opening, all drinks were offered at a discounted price of $2.99, except the surprise cup — a drink with a compartment that hides a plushie at the bottom — and the mega fruit tea, which were both $4.99.

During the weeklong period the shop was open before its grand opening, Wang said he often sat by the window, ready to chat with anyone.

“We want to have more interactions with the customers,” said Wang. “(The marketing

team) invited all the foodies on Instagram or YouTube to come to our store before we open and check it out.”

This effort to connect with social media influencers is one of Ume Tea’s main marketing strategies, Wang said.

Nolan Fan, a Chicago-based food Instagram influencer whom Ume Tea invited to promote the store, told The Daily that he had a “good first impression.”

“No need to drive all the way down to #ChinatownChicago to get your Viral Surprise Bunny Milk Tea cus @umetea is opening their second boba shop in Evanston,” Fan wrote in a caption for his Instagram, @extranoodles.

Ume Tea was founded in California in 2019 and now has 14 locations across the country.

The chain decided to open a location in Evanston after seeing the success of its first Chicago location in Chinatown.

“We have a local partner in Chicago, and he’s very familiar with the area,” Wang said. “He wanted to help us open more locations, and we found

Maya

this location close to Northwestern and to (Evanston’s) downtown.”

The walls in the shop are bubblegum pink and lined with the same stuffed animals available in the surprise cup. There is a small selection of

seating against the window and pop music playing quietly on the speakers. Some of Ume Tea’s more popular drinks include the Brown Sugar Boba Oolong

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Samantha Powers/The Daily Northwestern

Generations of singers from the NU community and Chicago area concluded the event with a full-group rendition of “Total Praise.”

City grant supports sustainable local businesses

By HANNAH WEBSTER the daily northwestern @hannahe_webster

For over 10 years, Evanston floral studio FlowersFlowers owner Joanne Leiman had been looking to compost the store’s plant waste. However, the cost had always made her hesitate, she said.

So last year, when Leiman learned of Sustain Evanston —a grant program that helps local businesses fund projects in line with the city’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan goals — she applied.

The city awarded FlowersFlowers about $3,000 to pay for a year of composting and to “jumpstart” the company’s path to sustainability.

“It’s easy to do, and it makes a difference every day,” Leiman said. “Now that we’re in the habit of doing it, it’s one of those things where I can’t imagine not doing it any longer.”

Last year, the city awarded over $200,000 in Sustain Evanston grants to 18 small businesses. This year, the city has increased the pool to $500,000, and the program is accepting proposals on a rolling basis until June 30.

Collective Resource Compost Cooperative, a Chicago area compost collection company, received the maximum $25,000 grant from the city. They used the funds to make down payments on electric vehicles for their composting container swap service, according to Vice President Mary Beth Schaye.

“ ere’s direct bene t to the residents of Evanston because we’re no longer using petroleum powered vehicles to do the pickups,” she said.

Collective Resource Compost Cooperative also worked with several businesses who used their grant money from Sustain Evanston to pay for the company’s composting services, including FlowersFlowers and Evanston restaurant Picnic.

As a member of the Circular Evanston Working Group, Schaye said she has met with several small businesses to learn about their sustainability goals. The group educates and advocates

Northwestern University 2023–24 Opera Season

Director Joachim Schamberger

Conductor Patrick Furrer

Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra

for a circular economy, which includes integrating composting and recycling into businesses. She called Sustain Evanston “a fantastic program.”

“A lot of particularly small local businesses are very community focused,” Schaye said. “They know what they would like to do that would make their business more sustainable. They just can’t necessarily afford it.”

Leslie Cousineau of DMAC Architecture & Interiors, an Evanston-based architectural firm, said the company received funding to create a “pocket park” behind their building.

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Anticipated to be completed by this April, the planned park includes native plants, as well as permeable pavers and a wall to screen recycling and trash bins, adding green space to the area and controlling stormwater, Cousineau said.

Soul & Smoke, a barbecue restaurant, had already been composting and recycling when they applied for the grant, but wanted to find ways to improve their sustainability, CEO Heather Bublick said.

After speaking with a program representative about available solutions and submitting quotes, the company applied and received over

$9,500 in grant money.

So far, the restaurant has used the money to replace their gas fryer with an electric fryer, and they plan to apply for the grant again this year. The restaurant hopes to replace its air curtains with screens for their windows to save energy, Bublick said.

“It’s a really great way to dip your toe into the sustainability world and for us, as a community, to walk the walk,” Bublick said. “It’s a great effort that the city’s making.”

hannahwebster2027@u.northwestern.edu

FEBRUARY 22–25

Maya Schwartz/The Daily Northwestern FlowersFlowers, a 2023 grant recipient, used Sustain Evanston to fund composting services for a year.

ASG tackles student org funding reform

By PAVAN ACHARYA daily senior staffer @pavanacharya02

Registered student organizations at Northwestern store their groups’ nancial funds with the Student Organization Finance O ce, also known as SOFO.

But, several students and administrators have criticized the current SOFO transaction model as being “inaccessible” and out of date due to its paper-based process, increasing workloads for student organization leaders.

To access funds greater than or equal to $50, student groups must collect signatures from multiple individuals, including the group’s president and treasurer, an advisor and — in some cases — an Associated Student Government representative.

“It should not be the case that it is an incredible burden to be the treasurer of a student organization,” said Susan Davis, vice president for Student A airs.

NU administrators — including Davis — and members of ASG leadership are currently working to modernize the SOFO transaction model to ease burdens on student leaders. E orts to reform SOFO could include digitizing elements of the process, Davis said.

A ‘confusing’ transaction process

According to ASG co-Presidents Molly Whalen and Donovan Cusick, current procedures for ling transactions can be overwhelming for students.

Cusick, a SESP senior who is now president of ASG’s SOFO account, said NU’s administrative and academic departments follow similar processes when transacting existing funds but are able to do so digitally, unlike student organizations. All SOFO transactions are conducted on paper and in person.

A paper-based transaction system can be difcult for SOFO’s student and professional sta , who are expected to oversee transactions from

dozens of student groups, Cusick added.

According to Whalen, a McCormick senior, SOFO’s current transaction policies — as detailed in a 51-page document — are also “confusing” for student o cers to navigate. “ at’s something that’s not accessible to students,” she said. “ ere’s such a big learning curve right now.”

Davis, whose o ce is currently collaborating with ASG leaders to address areas of potential reform for SOFO, said she believes the current transaction processes can have a negative impact on students’ well-being.

It can be di cult, according to Davis, for students to nd the time to go to the Norris University Center to process transactions with SOFO or see their organizations’ current funding balance.

“If the runway is not terribly smooth in ge ing access to funds or even knowing what funding you have, that obviously is a real impediment,” Davis said.

Potential reforms on the way is academic year, NU’s Division of Student A airs has been collaborating with ASG leadership to create a more “vibrant, inclusive student experience” through a project called “Campus Life Without the Strife,” Davis said.

Reforms are already underway. Last month, SOFO launched a policy which allows students to complete transactions under $50 through the o ce with just the signatures of a student group’s president or treasurer — not requiring advisor approval.

Whalen and Cusick added that wider e orts to reform SOFO are a ached to another focus under the Student A airs collaboration with ASG: replacing Wildcat Connection as the University’s primary online student group organizer. Wildcat Connection, which is operated by the so ware Campus Labs, currently stores information for about 650 student groups, including contact information for student o cers, organizational mission statements and information about events. Students also used the platform

to vote in the ASG Presidential Election earlier this month.

Cusick and Whalen said a new platform would ideally be connected to SOFO, allowing student group o cers to access their organizations’ funds and le receipts online. Additionally, the platform would “streamline” communication between student groups and have “app-based features” — unlike Wildcat Connection — that could allow individuals to access their funding balance on their phones, according to Cusick and Whalen.

Cusick said he doesn’t anticipate digitizing SOFO would impact how ASG currently allocates funding to student groups.

ASG’s Student Activities Finance Commi ee allocates about $1.8 million in funding to registered NU student groups each year, according to the organization’s website.

“ e biggest impact wouldn’t even come from how SAFC allocates its funds,” Cusick said. “Rather, it would come in the form of how other groups would be able to access, manage and spend those funds.”

Cusick and Whalen both said they hope to continue working with the Student A airs o ce on the “Campus Life without the Strife” project through the end of their term as ASG’s copresidents, which concludes in the sixth week of Spring Quarter. ey said they plan to make sure the new co-presidents-elect, SESP sophomore Caleb Snead and Weinberg sophomore Ty’Shea Woods, are fully “up to speed” on the project.

Snead, who spoke to e Daily prior to being elected, said he has already been involved in conversations with Student A airs to reform SOFO, serving as an advisor alongside the co-presidents in his role as ASG’s Finance Commi ee chair.

As ASG co-president, Snead said they would continue their work on the project.

“ e power that you really have as president is to leverage your relationships with the administration,” Snead said. “My focus as president would be to continue the work that we’re all doing.”

pavanacharya2025@u.northwestern.edu

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A comprehensive mixtape from your secret admirer

By VIRGINIA HUNT daily senior staffer

Remember the days when you’d pass out little store-bought Valentines to everyone in your class, and maybe you’d sneak the best one into your crush’s bag? Those days may be over, but the spirit lives on. It’s time to find more grown-up ways to celebrate — or to cope.

This Feb. 14, I’ll be getting into my Valentine’s feels with this especially comprehensive Valentine’s Day playlist.

For the romantics

Adrianne Lenker, “anything”

This intimate ballad by the acclaimed lead singer of Big Thief feels as if it’s spoken in a whisper. The song feels like surrendering to love — like it doesn’t matter what you’re doing, as long as you’re with your person.

John Denver, “Annie’s Song”

Well, yes, maybe we did see this on commercials for local parks growing up. However, it is also a precious, emotional piece about the way love is ever-present and all-encompassing.

For the bitter

Ms. Lauryn Hill, “Ex-Factor”

Hill’s incredible voice moves up and down the scale whilst she grapples with the reciprocity in

a relationship, taking us on an emotional rollercoaster. Her repetitive questioning is both towards herself and her seemingly unthoughtful partner — a blaming game many can relate to.

Mitski, “I Bet on Losing Dogs”

Sometimes you just need to sulk, and that’s okay. This song is one of the greatest pity-party hits, brought to us by the matriarch of melodic metaphors.

For the ones that got away

Taylor Swift, “right where you left me”

If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t get over someone, whether it be because you felt wronged or because you felt indescribable love, Swift’s longing melodies will find a home within you.

Adele, “Someone Like You”

It simply would not be a Valentine’s Day playlist if there was not at least one Adele feature. This classic lament will forever be my go-to. Enough said.

For the crushing

Nané, “Always On My Mind”

This funky groove from the Texas group will leave you light on your feet and head over heels. With its crescendos to the chorus, the track exudes the bubbly feeling you get when there’s someone to have your eye on.

The Beatles, “I’ve Just Seen A Face” Do you believe in love at first sight? John, Paul, Ringo and George sure do — and they may just convince you with this classic, upbeat love song about what it’s like to fall hard.

For the platonic loves

Barry Louis Polisar, “Me and You” Polisar captures the simple joy that we feel when we get to spend time with our dearest friends. There is something special about being understood by someone, and this cheeky song will surely bring you back to that feeling.

The Avett Brothers, “The Perfect Space”

This song is dedicated to the friends that grow with you. With an upbeat shift in the middle of the track, the song captures both the sentimental and joyous parts of long-lasting friendships.

For the happily single

TLC, “No Scrubs”

A not-so-subtle reminder that you deserve the best out of a relationship because you are a catch and a half, as told to us by the credible and talented ladies of TLC.

Beyoncé, “Single Ladies”

This song needs no description. You know it. You love it. I expect you to be dancing along with it.

For the unhappily single

Daniel Johnston, “True Love Will Find You in the End”

Johnston’s warbling note of reassurance is sentimental even 40 years after its release. The song has been covered numerous times by artists and bands from Beck to Wilco, but the original will forever hold its own.

Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, “Like I Used To”

This indie-rock collaboration sings a reminder that you are a constant for yourself, and that even in the times when that constant may feel like something you want to escape from, it is a gift.

Honorable Mentions

“The Book of Love,” The Magnetic Fields Featured in what some may call the group’s magnum opus, “69 Love Songs,” this track showcases lead singer Stephin Merrit’s haunting voice echoing the cyclical nature of love.

“I Think Of You,” Rodríguez

The sweet melody featured in this song seems to mirror the young love reminiscing featured in the lyrics. The song extends an invitation to remember the experiences we’ve shared with those we love and be grateful for them.

virginiahunt2026@u.northwestern.edu

NU students find their perfect match in dating show

By MADELINE KING the daily northwestern @madelineking_18

Nervous glances and awkward giggles shared between potential love interests filled the room during “Studio 22’s Live Dating Show” Thursday evening.

Contestants and audience members filled almost every seat in Swift Hall 107, each eager to watch budding new love spark in the show put on by Northwestern’s student-run production company Studio 22.

Communication sophomore and Studio 22 Industry co-Chair Ananya Paul was in charge of the matchmaking.

Contestants described themselves and their dream partners in one sentence in a Google Form, after which Paul looked through pictures

on contestants’ Instagram accounts to determine compatible pairings.

Paul said seeing the contestants’ eyes in their photos revealed a lot about them.

“I just really, really love love,” said Paul, adding that she hoped the contestants found possible relationships through the show.

Participants and audience members were welcomed by the sounds of an upbeat playlist of love songs and a table full of lemonade, chips, cupcakes, Ring Pops and Fun Dip.

Communication sophomore Jackson Heller’s standup set the mood for night, featuring jokes about second-degree frostbite, companies selling user data and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

After the standup routine, audience members watched in real time as matches were revealed and the compatibility of the aspiring new lovers was tested.

Communication juniors Brooke Scott and Lilly

Reed hosted the live dating show, calling contestants to the front of the lecture hall and directing them to sit beside each other.

Matches answered a variety of deep and meaningful questions posed by the hosts, ranging in topic from toilet paper preferences, prenups, shower routines, familial relationships and hidden talents.

Many contestants were accompanied at the event by close friends. The claps, cheers and many, many laughs from the audience created a supportive and engaged atmosphere.

Weinberg freshman Fiorelli Wong, who attended the event, said she was excited to watch her friend potentially find love.

“He’s had a lot of ups and downs, so I hope he finds someone,” Wong said.

Some members of the potential new couples went above and beyond to impress their matches, performing card tricks and kickflips on

skateboards.

Hosts kept it real and raw with the matches. When one contestant said his major was undecided, Scott asked his match, “How do you feel about dating a man who doesn’t know what direction he’s taking in life?”

For two pairings, the hosts asked the couples to stare into each other’s eyes as the audience counted down from 10. After the romantic, forced eye contact, hosts asked contestants to describe what they saw in the other’s “souls.”

Weinberg freshman and contestant Caleb Scherzer said he was there to have a fun time with friends but would also be excited if his match turned out to be his new love.

“I’m keeping an open mind,” Scherzer said. “Whatever happens, happens. That’s my mentality.”

madelineking2026@u.northwestern.edu

Illustration by Shveta Shah

From love songs to break up anthems, we’ve picked through them all to make this Valentine’s playlist just for you.

Theatre hosts panel discussion with Black artists

By CARLOTTA ANGIOLILLO the daily northwestern @carlottaang76

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre brought four Black Evanston artists together Saturday night for a discussion and celebration of Black culture through the lenses of art and culinary experiences.

Playwright and director Gloria Bond Clunie, visual artist Sam Onche, musician and composer Chris Greene and culinary artist Chef Q. Ibraheem joined moderator Laurice Bell at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center for the panel discussion, titled “That Art Thing We Do.”

Bell, executive director of Shorefront Legacy Center, kicked off the conversation by asking panelists how they view themselves as artists and entrepreneurs.

“I consider myself a Black artist,” Clunie said. “Once you have a grounding in who you are, then one can, at least for me, interpret the rest of the world. But with no grounding, then we’re just

floating above observing.”

The panelists then dove into the nuances of cultural appreciation versus appropriation.

They also discussed the significant contributions Black people have made to American music and art.

“I think when we talk about Black culture, regardless of the historical journey that we’ve had, there’s a generosity to our cultural spirit that feeds the country,” Clunie said.

Onche said he feels pride when other people find inspiration in African and African American art, but he said he also thinks artists should not use artistic elements from other cultures without crediting them.

The difference between appropriation and appreciation, Bell said, is the acknowledgment of where artistic inspiration originated from.

Greene added that it is also important for nonBlack artists to do thorough research on Black culture and history before undertaking a project that explores those experiences or uses music

originating or deriving from Black culture.

“If you were going to do opera or play classical music, you have to learn Italian, and German, and French and you have to immerse yourself in the cultures,” Greene said. “So if you’re going to do any kind of African American-derived music, it would behoove you to delve in it as well.”

Clunie concluded the discussion with a statement on the strides Black Americans have made in working toward racial equality.

While there has been progress, she said people cannot become complacent.

“If we don’t hold on, grab it, and keep moving forward. It’ll disappear,” Clunie said. “You gotta teach, you gotta preach, you gotta shout, you gotta pray. We’ve got a lot of things we need to do just to hold on.”

After the discussion concluded, attendees checked out Onche’s solo exhibition “Black in Color.”

The Donovan Mixon Jazz Combo played jazz music while people enjoyed food catered from Prairie Moon, examined Onche’s art and chatted

with other community members.

Evanston resident Julian Breslow said his main takeaway from the event was the distinction between cultural appropriation and appreciation.

“A lot of people are admiring something, responding to what they admire and trying to incorporate it in their own artistic sensibility,” Breslow said. “They were willing to discuss that overlap, so I really appreciated that.”

Bell said she welcomed the opportunity to highlight Black excellence during the event.

She also said she would like to see the celebration of Black history and culture continue throughout the year.

“The tagline for this theater is 24/7/365, and really that’s how I see Black history,” Bell said. “I’m appreciative that we get to do this in February, but we’ve got 11 more months that we can do this as well.”

carlottaangiolillo2027@u.northwestern.edu

Chavarria takes New York Fashion Week to Last Supper

By ALEXANDER HERNANDEZ GONZALEZ the daily northwestern @alexbespeakin

Religious references, an emotional film and 37 looks debuted at the Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, as fashion designer Willy Chavarria presented his Men’s Fall-Winter 2024 collection during New York Fashion Week.

Titled “SAFE FROM HARM,” the presentation depicts messages of love and protection. Chavarria wanted to represent the world’s often polarizing state while reminding us that, at the end of the day, people need to be there for each other.

“Sometimes, looks on a runway can’t paint the full picture,” said Chavarria in a press release. “We need to see the garments move throughout a life experience.”

The runway had a massive white table with candles, designed to resemble the Last Supper, and a black screen where Chavarria debuted a short film. The film expanded the experience of the fashion show, allowing viewers to experience the clothes beyond the extravagant Fashion Week venue.

Model Erik Martinez kicked off the film by looking outside in a moment of silent frustration. Model Paloma Elsesser then reassured Martinez with a hug. After Elsesser left the room, Martinez took a deep breath before red smoke revealed the

film and collection’s title: “SAFE FROM HARM.”

The models personified anger, sorrow, frustration, loneliness and lust throughout the film, as religious iconography and references adorned the backdrops.

Once the film finished, the warehouse lights were turned on and the runway component of the presentation began.

Mexican-American model Valentine opened the show wearing a black tejana adorned with a red and black jeweled gold cross, a long-pointed collar, an exaggerated black blazer and high waisted trouser pants. Chavarria incorporates elements of Mexican style, such as gold jewelry and boots, into his collections that are easily Zacatecano-approved.

As models like Alva Claire and Santiago Garavaglia walked down the narrow runway, attendees witnessed Chavarria’s classic reinvention of American sportswear with a Mexican-American perspective in refined styles.

Notable new pieces from the presentation include handbags and belts branded with a “WC” gold logo.

As the show finished, models stood in front of a black background, behind the white table and alongside Chavarria. They recreated the Last Supper with a modern, Latine twist.

Guests of the show included singers Becky G and Sam Smith, models Julia Fox, Amanda Lepore and Richie Shazam, designer Christian Cowan, actress Dascha Polanco and BMX athlete Nigel Sylvester.

Chavarria provided viewers with multiple artistic outlets, moments of reflection and a rollercoaster of emotions that left his audience feeling both worrisome and enthusiastic. For Chavarria, fashion goes beyond clothes that make you feel something — he prioritizes fashion that sends a social message.

Chavarria allows Mexican experiences and concepts to flourish in a space where they’ve traditionally been excluded. This show solidifies the brand’s

staple silhouettes and techniques while letting the clothes speak for themselves.

This is Chavarria’s best show to date. No one is doing fashion on the same scale as Chavarria because he pays homage to his heritage, isn’t afraid of the abnormal and gives underrepresented groups a platform. He is redefining American fashion one incredible collection at a time.

alexanderhernandez-gonzalez2027@u.northwestern.edu

Reel Thoughts: ‘The Taste of Things’ is a skillful creation

By JACKSON WEIER the daily northwestern @jacksonweier

This review contains spoilers.

Do not go see “The Taste of Things” on an empty stomach.

After a limited release on Feb. 9, French director Tran Anh Hung’s “The Taste of Things” hit theaters across the country on Feb. 14.

The movie — France’s submission for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards — centers on celebrated and prolific French chefs Dodin (Benoît Magimel) and Eugenie (Juliette Binoche).

Anh Hung’s film follows Dodin and Eugenie preparing food in their home and traveling to taste the curated menus of their acquaintances. Scenes almost exclusively consist of extravagant dining or ordinary quotidian life.

The film is set in the 1880s French countryside, featuring elegant architecture and airy meadows. Beyond the visuals, the movie’s dialogue reinforces its distinctly Francophilic flavor, with Dodin’s contemporaries referring to him as “the Napoleon of gastronomy.”

The film opens with an elaborate scene in which Dodin, Eugenie and Pauline (Bonnie ChagneauRavoire) prepare a host of eclectic and carefully crafted dishes. The mouthwatering plates consist of garden-fresh vegetables, creamy sauces and slowcooked meats.

The cooking takes place within the confines of a glowing French cottage kitchen. Stove tops sizzle and steam flows through the room. You can practically smell the freshly baked pastries through the screen, thanks to Anh Hung’s captivating cinematography. Binoche and Magimel’s culinary mannerisms feel authentic and natural. Not once did they pull me out of the movie.

While “The Taste of Things” spends most of its

time displaying the preparing and devouring of delectable dishes, another plot line plays out almost as a side dish: Dodin and Eugenie’s relationship. After seemingly years of Dodin asking to marry her, Eugenie finally says yes after she finds a ring in a flaky pastry served to her. Their love for each other and their love for food is one and the same.

About half way through the movie, I felt my attention begin to drift, not because of a lack of grandeur or a well-developed plot, but rather because of the complete lack of a score.

There are two worlds that exist in “The Taste of Things”: in or out of the kitchen, cooking or not cooking. Regardless of whether Dodin or Eugenie are preparing food with verve or peacefully wandering around a pond, there are no sounds present besides the ones that would occur in real life.

While I appreciate/admire the choice to exclude a score from the kitchen scenes, allowing the

sounds of cooking to create atmospheric music, there are points where the film could have benefitted from a score to add texture to the chef’s daily lives, or even to mute Dodin’s heavy breathing while he chops ingredients.

That said, maybe that’s the whole point: Nothing matters in the character’s lives besides the pursuit of excellent culinary production.

If this was the goal, though, the film may have benefitted from Hung chopping a number of nonfood focused scenes if this is the case. The director and the characters do not feel genuinely interested in anything but dining and cooking. The side plots feel unnaturally added at points, like Hung bit off more than he can chew.

“The Taste of Things” is a movie about creation and prowess. When asked by her guests why she never joins them in the dining room, Eugenie says that she communicates through the food she

serves. When handed the preparation of another inventive chef, Dodin raves at length about the skill that went into the dish and the story it tells.

While the characters felt flat at times, scenes like these brought them to life. Vivacious scenes coupled with a French summer ambiance and warm lighting throughout make the film charmfully inviting. I wanted to teleport into their world.

With so much allusion to creation, it’s hard not to draw the parallels between the job of a director and a chef. Both meticulously comb over the characteristics of their creations only to hand them over to others, pending their approval or dismay.

“The Taste of Things” finely displays the world of masterful culinary creation while providing art-like still frames. Despite the lulls of the scenes far from food, I would be surprised if these issues weren’t remedied, at least slightly, upon repeat viewing.

jacksonweier2026@u.northwestern.edu

arts & entertainment

Editor Lexi Goldstein

Assistant Editors

Madeline King Jackson Weier

Design Editors

Paloma Leone-Getten Bettina Sánchez Córdova

Illustration by Lillian Ali

Best International Feature Film nominee, ‘The Taste of Things,’ released on Feb. 9.

Illustration by Shveta Shah Models walk down the runway at the Willy Chavarria F/W 2024 show for New York Fashion Week.

DAVIS

From page 1

only arrived at NU two years ago, he said he knew Stanley for decades through their work together with the GMWA.

“Stanley was not only a consummate musician, a teacher and an academic historian, but he was a friend,” Brooks said. “There are so many sides to him that we celebrate, and we are grateful for that.”

Davis was one of three co-founders of NCE, which was established as a space for Black spiritual music after the 1968 Bursar’s Office Takeover.

In 1971, Davis became the choir’s first musical director. For more than half a century, NCE has served as a space for community on campus.

“Stanley was teaching Black gospel music in the time before me, and because of that, I stand on his shoulders,” Brooks said. “He paved the way for me. He opened the door for me to be here at Northwestern doing what I do.”

Brooks, who also serves as the faculty advisor for NCE, looked on proudly from the piano bench as the student choir performed musical selections.

SESP freshman Fejiro Felix-Okpe, who joined NCE this quarter, said the experience of performing was “surreal.”

Felix-Okpe said she joined the choir because of her passion for singing. She said NCE has given her an opportunity to be creative with other music-loving members of the Black community at NU.

MEGA SHABBAT

From page 1

programs Northwestern Hillel puts on,” Cohen said. “I think it’s such a special event because it brings together more members of the community than some of the other events that are more specifically geared towards Jewish students.”

MegaShabbat requires months of planning, she said. As one of five co-chairs on the MegaShabbat planning committee, Cohen said she rented tables and procured tablecloths, napkins, plates, cups, silverware, decorations and centerpieces.

NU Hillel Executive Director Michael Simon started the first MegaShabbat in Allison Hall in 2012. The event has taken place in Norris University Center for the past few years. The event was moved to Ryan Fieldhouse this year to accommodate more people.

Simon said Hillel chose to host MegaShabbat in February because there are fewer Jewish holidays in the winter to bring the community together.

He said the event is especially significant this year for the Jewish community on campus.

“It was really important that MegaShabbat could be an evening where we could come

“Knowing the story behind how NCE was founded, the legacy it has had, the reputation it has maintained, made it a lot more special for me,” she said. “I feel really honored to be a part of something so big.”

Adrienne Andrews (Weinberg ’80), an NCE alumna, said she traveled all the way from her home in New Jersey to see the concert.

Andrews said she was looking forward to reuniting with the friends she made during her time with the choir.

“(NCE) just became my family. It really was,” Andrews said. “I can honestly tell you that this choir changed my life, and it made my being here at Northwestern so much more of a rich experience.”

Andrews added that she hopes the sense of family among members of NCE continues.

Charla Wilson, NU’s Archivist for the Black Experience, honored Davis with a historical retelling of his life and work as part of the program.

“Celebrating the life and legacy of L. Stanley Davis, I am reminded of the African proverb: ‘When an elder dies, a library burns to the ground,’” Wilson said. “Mr. Davis was that elder, who understood the importance of passing down our history — of ensuring that future generations would understand the struggles and triumphs of those who came before.”

samanthapowers2026@u.northwestern.edu

together, whatever our backgrounds, wherever people stand politically, and come together for a celebratory evening of unity,” Simon said.

Medill freshman Braedon Olsen is a member of First Year Students at Hillel. He said about 50 people usually attend Hillel’s Shabbat dinners, but MegaShabbat brings together all Jewish student groups at NU.

Weinberg freshman Sam McLain said his girlfriend is Jewish, and he attended his first Shabbat with her one week before MegaShabbat.

“I’m not Jewish and I’m glad to be here,” McLain said. “It gives a space that is really social and safe.”

Weinberg freshman Daniel Slater said he attended MegaShabbat to get more involved with the Jewish community at NU.

He added it is important for Jewish students to share their culture and identity through such celebrations so they can establish a sense of safety and community on campus.

“I haven’t been the most attached to Jewish life here on campus,” Slater said. “And I think, especially this year, it feels really important and prescient to all come together as a community.”

isaiahsteinberg2027@u.northwestern.edu

VACANCIES

From page 1

hiring policy has provided bonuses to officers who leave EPD if they refer someone to the department.

These bonuses are contingent on the successful recruitment of the referred officers. Additional bonuses are given if and when the officers complete the probationary period, according to Solomon.

Solomon said almost a third of the officers who joined the EPD since Stewart’s term began are lateral hires that came from the referral system.

He added that the city has been more diligent about regularly posting hiring-related information on the EPD’s social media, which has also been very effective. The city now posts recruitment information and hosts interview sessions on a monthly basis.

Last February, EPD also launched its first Spanish-speaking community police academy, which offers citizens an opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the EPD. Glew said the addition has made the department more attractive to residents.

Navarrete said he thinks the academy has helped bridge the gap between residents and law enforcement.

“We see how individuals live from different cultural backgrounds, and they see what we go through, whether it’s training (or) how to deescalate the situation,” Navarrete said.

Although morale in EPD has been on an upward trajectory, some struggles like the 12-hour work shifts remain, Glew said. But he said he is optimistic about the department’s outlook — especially with talks of a new police station beginning to surface.

At its Jan. 22 meeting, City Council discussed the possibility of rebuilding the police and fire headquarters. Some of the options considered include a rebuild at the existing site or integrating the department into a relocated or rebuilt civic center.

“The prospect of a new police department — especially when you’re in one that’s 70 years old — that’s especially good for morale,” Glew said.

Navarrete said he feels Evanston has its pri orities straight when it comes to being there for its officers.

He added that Stewart has especially helped “personify the badge” and made officers feel like more than just officers.

“The biggest thing is that they (officers) believe that this is a place where they can grow their career,” Navarrete said.

mishaoberoi2027@u.northwestern.edu

UME TEA

From page 1

Milk Tea and the Mango Pomelo Sago. The store also offers flavors like Strawberry Matcha Slush and Lychee & Watermelon Green Tea.

Ume also sells snacks like takoyaki — fried dough balls with octopus — as well as fries and popcorn chicken.

“We wanted to create some new fashions,” Wang said. “More delicious, more funny things for all the young people.”

Some customers say they appreciate Ume Tea’s extensive menu.

“I’m not usually a big fan of boba, but Ume made it very creative and fun, with all these colors and flavors,” Medill freshman Marcus Kim said.

Wang said he hopes the shop’s proximity to Northwestern’s campus will drive business from students. Amit Prachand, associate vice president for information and analytics at the Office of the Provost, stopped by Ume Tea on Monday and said he would likely come back.

“I’ve sampled many bobas around town … (this one) is pretty good,” he said.

isabelsu2027.1@u.northwestern.edu

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Youth Job Fair connects students with employers

By SHREYA SRINIVASAN

daily senior staffer @shreyasrin

Four years ago, Stacey Moragne Sr., an outreach worker for the Evanston Youth and Young Adult Division, helped Evanston Township High School senior Damarion Timberlake join the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program.

The MSYEP is a nine-week entry-level job program that connects companies in Evanston and surrounding communities to the city’s youth. Moragne Sr. said he has been helping recruit students for the annual job fair for 12 years, specializing in at-risk youth.

About 900 students attended this year’s fair on Saturday at Robert Crown Community Center to learn professional skills and interview for job opportunities at more than 60 organizations.

“I’ve learned that it enables them a different experience for their future lives,” Moragne Sr. said. “It also prepares them for educational, economical, political and social aspects of life. It gives them a sense of responsibility.”

Timberlake, a varsity football player at ETHS, said he started going to MSYEP when he was 14 years old — the minimum age required for students to participate.

Last year, he worked for Evanston’s community maintenance team. This year, Timberlake aims to serve as a park attendant, he said.

Timberlake said he plans to continue playing football after high school while pursuing a degree in communications and public relations — a major in line with the public relations work he did at the city.

“My favorite part is getting the experience and meeting the people that I’ve met,” Timberlake said. “It’s just a culmination of everybody from all different backgrounds coming to work together, joining on this one project.”

The program, created in 1992, aims to help students learn about possible career paths and possibly obtain future employment, according to Jermey McCray, the outreach supervisor for Evanston’s Youth and Young Adult Division.

After registration intake on Saturday, students learned interviewing tips like

appropriate eye contact and asking questions. Afterward, they entered a job prep room, previewing the jobs and companies available. Finally, representatives interviewed students for each opportunity, simulating the realworld job search.

McCray said he especially appreciates the connection and care that the program gives to at-risk youth during the duration of their employment.

The Youth and Young Adult Division

connects with prospective students at gym and lunch periods, as well as before and after school. They also send mass-text messages to students with updates, according to McCray.

Timberlake currently works for the marketing department of MSYEP. He said he hopes to continue giving students a positive way to use their time.

“For anybody that’s trying to support it, it’s a great thing to support,” Timberlake said. “This year we got a lot of first-timers, and that’s really,

really big. A lot of kids just don’t know what to do in their free time.”

Moragne Sr. said seeing positive change in underestimated students has been one of the most memorable aspects of the program.

“Every day I learn something from the kids,” Moragne Sr. said. “Every day I learn who they are, and I also learn who I am. I learn to be humble, I also learn to adapt to different situations.”

shreyasrinivasan2026@u.northwestern.edu

Shreya Srinivasan/The Daily Northwestern

More than 900 students attended this year’s job fair for Evanston youth on Saturday at Robert Crown Community Center.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

‘Cats defeat Hoosiers, ending road losing streak

By AAYUSHYA AGARWAL daily senior staffer @aayushyagarwal7

BLOOMINGTON, IND. — Three days removed from a defeat at Rutgers, Northwestern looked to escape its road woes against Indiana Sunday.

The Wildcats swept the season series against the Hoosiers last season and were in desperate need of their first road victory since Jan. 10.

Both teams struggled to score from the onset, combining for 11 points by the game’s first media timeout. Graduate student guard Boo Buie’s pair of free throws opened the scoring for the ‘Cats, while graduate student guard Ryan Langborg’s 3-pointer gave the visitors an early 7-4 advantage.

Indiana capitalized on NU’s threeminute scoring drought, reclaiming the lead 10-9 with 12 minutes remaining in the first half.

The ‘Cats quickly mitigated their early shooting struggles. Junior guard Brooks Barnhizer’s corner three capped a 9-2 NU scoring run and extended the visitor’s lead to 20-14.

The visitors maintained their lead throughout much of the first frame. Langborg’s second-chance trey and sophomore forward Nick Martinelli’s staple hookshot extended the ‘Cats’ lead to 27-19.

Several possessions later, senior center Matthew Nicholson’s dunk off Langborg’s acrobatic assist extended NU’s lead into double digits for the first time all afternoon.

After the Hoosier trimmed the ‘Cats’ lead to as low as six in the final minute of the first half, Langborg’s jumper allowed the visitors to hold a 34-26 advantage entering the locker room.

Following early second-half scoring difficulties for the visitors, Indiana rode a 7-0 run to cut NU’s lead to 34-33. The ‘Cats tallied their first points three minutes into the frame off Nicholson’s second-chance layup.

Over the second half, both teams exchanged baskets, turning a oncecomfortable NU lead to as low as one point multiple times. Searching for a significant sequence, Nicholson’s layup and second-chance dunk capped a 7-0 ‘Cats run and extended the lead back into double digits at 55-45 with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Minutes later, Buie recorded his first points of the second frame off a pair of stepback threes, extending NU’s lead to 61-47 — its largest of the afternoon.

Riding an 11-0 run, the Hoosiers trimmed their deficit down to five with less than three minutes remaining.

The ‘Cats fended off the late scare and held on for a much-needed road win.

Here are three takeaways from NU’s victory over Indiana.

1. Amid foul trouble, Langborg’s early start lifts offense

After being called for a flagrant two foul 10 minutes into Thursday’s contest, Langborg was aggressive from the game’s onset.

Canning a pullup jumper and a deep three, the Princeton transfer scored five of NU’s first seven points. Langborg’s offensive production was especially valuable after Buie and Barnhizer each committed two early fouls.

The team’s primary ball handler during much of the first frame, Langborg also set up his teammates for scoring opportunities. The graduate student recorded three of NU’s six

first half assists.

By the intermission, Langborg tallied a game-high 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field. With Buie playing eight first half minutes, the Princeton transfer helped keep NU ahead with experimental lineups around him.

Over the second half, he remained the focal point of the ‘Cats offense, recording 14 points and finishing with 26 points.

2.

Early foul trouble forces Buie and Barnhizer to bench

Following Thursday’s defeat at Rutgers, coach Chris Collins reiterated his team’s need for “all hands on deck.”

This was essential Sunday, when two of the ‘Cats’ key contributions — Buie and Barnhizer — each committed two early fouls.

After four early points from the charity stripe, Buie sat on the sidelines for a near 11-minute stretch. Meanwhile, Barnhizer did not see the court for the frame’s final eight minutes after committing his second foul.

As a result of Buie and Barnhizrer’s combined 18 first half minutes, Collins played nine players during the game’s first 20 minutes — with Langborg playing the entire 20 minutes and Martinelli seeing 18 minutes of game time.

3. Nicholson’s double-double sparks ‘Cats in second half

Although his starting spot was an unsteady January fixture, Nicholson has now cemented a prominent position in NU’s key rotation.

This held true on Sunday, when the ‘Cats needed to find scoring

MEN’S BASKETBALL

opportunities after initial shooting struggles. The Hoosiers restricted NU to shoot at a 3-of-10 clip from beyond the arc amid first-half action. As a result, Collins and co. needed an increased offensive role from its front court, paving the way for Nicholson’s offensive role.

NU capitalized off 14 offensive rebounds with 11 second chance points.

After recording four points and five rebounds over the first half, Nicholson continued where he left off out of the locker room. Tallying 14 points and corralling a team-high 16 rebounds, the senior center ended Sunday’s matchup with his first career double-double.

aayushyaagarwal2024@u.northwestern.edu

After rocky season start, Nicholson shines at Indiana

By JAKE EPSTEIN daily senior staffer @jakeepste1n

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — During a magical 2022-23 run that culminated in Sacremento’s Golden 1 Center, Northwestern’s frontcourt flair came to fruition with the emergence of a new

post centerpiece. Saving his best for the brightest stage, a seven-footer from a small Detroit suburb soared into coach Chris Collins’ starting lineup and didn’t look back.

After solidifying his central role last year, senior center Matthew Nicholson carried high expectations into his fourth season in Evanston. However, Nicholson’s steady progression seemingly collided with a rugged roadblock

at the season’s outset.

“He’ll be the first person to tell you, he had a bit of a slower start to the season,” Collins said. “He had some injury issues, he wasn’t in peak condition and he’s really worked hard to get himself back in shape.”

Following a dismal road trip to in-state rival Illinois Jan. 2, Collins removed Nicholson from his starting five, inserting sophomore forward Luke

Hunger atop the frontcourt rotation for five consecutive games. Nicholson saw his minutes’ share increase during that stretch and eventually reclaimed his role in an overtime upset of the Fighting Illini later that month. Since then, the Clarkston, Michigan native has recorded seven consecutive starts, logging 25-plus minutes in all but two games.

Winless on the road since Jan. 10, the Wildcats (18-8, 9-6 Big Ten) ventured into Indiana with their postseason ambitions firmly in the balance. Fresh off eight days’ rest, the Hoosiers (14-11, 6-8 Big Ten) debuted their Fear of God alternates and looked to hand NU its sixth consecutive road loss.

Although early shooting struggles and foul trouble sent the ‘Cats into unsteady waters, Nicholson’s collected post presence and court command helped redirect the contest’s — and potentially the season’s — course in a 76-72 victory.

While Indiana’s jerseys evoked trepidation , Nicholson packed a frightening, frenetic flow in the painted area, striking fear in the hearts of Hoosier challengers.

“That was shades of last year, seeing him get those slip dunks,” Collins said. “He’s moving a lot better, and because of that his confidence is growing.”

As graduate student guard Boo Buie struggled to find his form and junior guard Brooks Barnhizer slipped into early foul trouble, Nicholson formed a potent one-two punch alongside graduate student guard Ryan Langborg.

Though he recorded his first career double-double, tallying 14 points, 16 rebounds, two blocks and two steals to complement four rim-rattling dunks, the seven-footer’s impact transcended the statsheet and ascended the loftiest Assembly Hall heights.

“Some nights, he doesn’t have the numbers, but it’s not about the stats,” Collins said. “It’s about his presence on the floor… This last month of the season, he’s really starting to play at a high level, which has been great for us.”

Hauling in seven of his team’s 14 offensive boards, Nicholson helped NU secure 12 vital second-chance points. Although rebounding was an issue that plagued his early season struggles, the big man ruled the glass Sunday.

Despite tallying four first-half points on a 2-of-2 clip from the field, Nicholson saw his number called on time and time again during the second period. When the ‘Cats needed him to step up and meet the moment’s magnitude, Nicholson delivered.

“I don’t really have any plays drawn up for me,” Nicholson said before jokingly shushing Collins’ interjection. “But, I just try to do as much as I can — and I was able to finish those (looks).”

Sunday’s stage might’ve been too grand for many, but Nicholson proved perfectly poised under immense pressure. With early season struggles in the rearview, Nicholson’s 10 second-half points on an efficient 5-of-7 conversion rate helped rally his squad.

The center even extended his limited range on a crunch-time hookshot, which Collins called “one of the bigger shots of the game.” For the reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year, NU can only go as far as Nicholson’s play permits.

“He’s just our presence. We need his physicality, his shot blocking, he’s an elite rebounder and everyone on our team knows how important that is for us,” Collins said. “We’re not going to win against high level opponents if he doesn’t play at a high level.”

jacobepstein2026@u.northwestern.edu

Henry Frieman/The Daily Northwestern

Henry Frieman/The Daily Northwestern