Comedian Ryan Hamilton performed Saturday evening at Illinois State University. The live performance began at 7:30 p.m. in the Braden Auditorium at the Bone Student Center. In addition to the performance, Chicago comedian Nate Armbruster opened before Hamilton took the stage. Hamilton, known for his clean, observational humor, has often appeared on Netflix and late-night television. Hamilton opened for Jerry Seinfeld and starred in the Netflix stand-up special “Happy Face.” His performance at ISU was one of many planned events for this year’s Family Weekend. “It was so refreshing to have a comedian like Ryan Hamilton on campus. He really got the crowd going, his humor felt relatable, and it had everyone laughing,” junior Reilly Schneider said. “I really liked when he talked with the audience,” sophomore Bradley Torry said. “The event made my friends and I feel very lighthearted and energetic. The vibe in the room was incredibly upbeat, and everyone seemed to have a great time.” Community members also attended. “My family and I sometimes have to drive as far as Chicago to see comedians like Ryan. Having him perform here at ISU was such a treat for the community,” Normal resident Ronald Perez said. Hamilton closed his show by asking the audience questions, a move that caught some attendees by surprise. Questions ranged from favorite ice cream flavors to any advice Hamilton had for college students and their families. “I was not expecting him to ask some questions,” junior Val Garcia said. “I’ve seen shows in Chicago where big stars don’t really have audience engagement, so him doing that made the whole experience feel more personal and memorable.” This performance comes a few weeks before Hamilton is set to record a new stand-up special coming to Netflix. Taping for the special will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, in Seattle, Washington.

The Illinois State University Planetarium welcomed families for Family Weekend by presenting its “Laser Fantasy” shows that featured the music of iconic artists throughout the decades. Beginning on Sept. 19, the ISU Planetarium showcased its first show at 6 p.m. and featured music from the well-known rock band, The Beatles. The shows began every hour and a half, featuring music from artists such as Taylor Swift, Elton John, Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Garth Brooks. The show, created to be an immersive experience, showcased light-up images that followed the beats of the songs played. Attendees were able to lean back and watch the lasers in the planetarium's reclined seats. Shows lasted approximately thirty minutes. ISU Freshman Veronika Lyman commented on the dazzling light display and getting to experience the show with her family, who visited for Family Weekend. “I went to see the Taylor Swift show and really loved how they showcased a song from almost every album in her discography,” Lyman said. The ticket prices began at $10 for children 12 and under and for adults over 60. All other tickets were sold for $15. “I thought that the light show was really cool and the artwork was done very well. I wish they had played ‘Yellow Submarine' for The Beatles show, but overall I thought it was a great show,” Raquel Torres, freshman attendee, said. The ISU Planetarium will host the “Laser Fantasy” show again from Sept. 26 to Sept. 28, with times announced soon. More information about the show and times can be found on the website.

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  The President of Illinois State University held the annual State of the University address on Thursday to highlight the schools accomplishments and discuss future goals. Every year ISU holds a State of the University address. This event is usually held in the Center for the Performing Arts. This year, the event was held inside the Brown Ballroom for reasons that are unclear. During the address, President Tarhule highlighted key achievements for the university, including enrollment, student safety and financial information. The address was briefly interrupted […]