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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

Maaike Niekerk

Maaike Niekerk, Managing Editor

Hello! My name is Maaike, and I’m a senior majoring in English with minors in journalism, music and gender & women’s studies. I began working with The Daily Illini during the fall semester of my freshman year and joined the editorial team in 2023. I’m so excited to be working as our Managing Editor after serving as Arts & Entertainment Editor and Assistant buzz Editor over the past couple of years. As a Champaign native, I love covering local music and art to highlight different parts of our fun community. Outside of The Daily Illini, I’m a member of the Marching Illini and the Illini 4000 executive board.

Two customers look at the menu at The Bread Company in Urbana on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. The restaurant is known for its fresh-baked bread and cozy, rustic vibes.

Best of CU ’25 | Best Date Spot: The Bread Company

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Mar 6, 2025
Customers wait for their meals at The Space as stand up comedy takes place in the back on Feb. 28.

Best of CU ’25 | Most Unique Restaurant: The Space

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Mar 6, 2025
emily the band spreads the love with new EP

emily the band spreads the love with new EP

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Feb 13, 2025
Crowd get lively at Red Bull Turn It Up event at Canopy Club on Oct. 5.

CU entertainment guide for this spring

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Jan 13, 2025
Review | buzz picks best albums of 2024

Review | buzz picks best albums of 2024

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Dec 30, 2024
Review | buzz picks worst albums of 2024

Review | buzz picks worst albums of 2024

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Dec 30, 2024
buzz weekly new music rundown

buzz weekly new music rundown

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Nov 30, 2024
Beyoncé sets record with 2025 Grammy nominations

Beyoncé sets record with 2025 Grammy nominations

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Nov 8, 2024
Divino Niño play at the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana during PYGMALION 2023 on Sept. 22, 2023.

C-U music guide for this fall

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Aug 15, 2024
Sabrina Carpenter performs on the second day of Lollapalooza 2023.

buzz wrapped 2023-2024 

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor May 2, 2024
Pop culture moments that swept this academic year

Pop culture moments that swept this academic year

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor May 1, 2024

This year’s hottest spots in CU 

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Apr 30, 2024
Concert attendees pull out their phones as a Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s set begins at the State Fam Center on Sept. 9. NLE Choppa’s Spring Jam set will be moved to the State Farm Center.

UPDATE: Spring Jam moved indoors to State Farm Center

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Apr 25, 2024
Ryan Roach, graduate student studying mathematics, gets a Dilly Bar from the pop-up Dairy Queen in Altgeld Hall on Monday.

There’s a Dairy Queen at Altgeld Hall.

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Apr 22, 2024
An energetic crowd enjoys a Taylor Swift song at Canopy Club, located on South Goodwin Avenue, on Feb. 2.

Shows to catch in CU this April

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor Apr 3, 2024
Friends dance together during the battle of the bands concert held at Canopy Club on Thursday night.

Local shows to catch this March

By Maaike Niekerk, buzz Editor Mar 1, 2024
Jamie Foxx in 2017 Baran bo Odar film "Sleepless."

Actor Jamie Foxx sued for sexual assault

By Maaike Niekerk, Assistant buzz Editor Nov 22, 2023
Steve Harwell, lead singer of Smashmouth, performs in Las Vegas on June 30, 2010.

Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell dies at 56

By Maaike Niekerk, Assistant buzz Editor Sep 4, 2023
CU community come together during Pygmalion performance on Sept. 27, 2018. Pygmalion will be kicking off on Friday with performances from Kangaroo Court and Divino Niño.

Pygmalion Festival returns to CU for 2023

By Maaike Niekerk, Assistant buzz Editor Aug 27, 2023
Getting involved with music on campus

Getting involved with music on campus

By Maaike Niekerk, Assistant buzz Editor Aug 21, 2023