A NEW CONCERT series is making waves in Bowling Green with the second edition of “Laugh and Love,” a night of R&B and comedy by The Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC). “Laugh and Love 2” brought the talent of “the comedian’s favorite comedian,” Earthquake, and platinum-selling recording artist Jon B to the community, as well as comedians Sweet Baby Kita and Zach Townsend as opening acts and Meech Dog as host.
The show is the creation of Horseman Entertainment owner Desmond Bell and SKyPAC Board of Directors member D.C. Clement. It started with just a few sponsored events, hosting comedian Rickey Smiley in April 2022 and Marvin Sapp this past January. With their success, they decided they wanted to make a series.
“The whole concept is to have comedy and music,” Clement said. “We want to bring somebody who’s up-and-coming in the comedy industry. We want an established comedian, and we want an established R&B person. So that’s kinda the blueprint for what we’re doing.”
The first “Laugh and Love” show featured comedians “Nephew” Tommy Miles and Bubba Dub and recording artist Lyfe Jennings. Clement said the second show diversified the performance.
“There’s been a lot of feeling that maybe the programming and things at The SKyPAC have not been as diverse in the past,” Clement said. “We’re just trying to change that mindset, and we’re also trying to bring [some] entertainment into this community that nobody else is bringing.”
Bell and Clement are well suited to organizing such an event, as Bell has been in the concert promotion and booking business for over 20 years, and Clement has worked with the campus activities board at Middle Tennessee State University. However, despite their experience, there is still no guarantee of success in organizing a new kind of entertainment in a community.
“It’s a big risk because these things do cost money,” Clement said. “But we, both of us, feel a responsibility to try and enhance our community.”
The community has supported the event in a big way, making it about more than just entertainment. Clement said it’s almost like a homecoming because so many people come.
“Before and after the show, it’s so cool to see people just kind of socializing and getting together,” Clement said. “It’s a great time to get out, socialize, and see your neighbors.”
Clement said you may see more than just your neighbors because people from other communities like Nashville, Glasgow, and Clarksville have come to enjoy the night as well. The large lobby and state-of-the-art auditorium that The SKyPAC boasts are perfect for that kind of community interaction, and the people who come get to see some of the art that Bowling Green has to offer.
“It is a beautiful facility and top-notch,” Clement said. “We want more people coming in there. We want more people to be exposed to the arts, and that’s really what we’re doing. Seeing that connection is always cool to see.”
The “Laugh and Love” show organizers are determined to keep bringing quality entertainment to Bowling Green in the future, with the simple hope that people will come out and have a great night.
“The success of the first one was good. We really hope each show gets better,” Clement said. “Hopefully, we’ll increase the level of talent we have in here.”
The SKyPAC will have plenty of opportunity to make that goal a reality as the “Laugh and Love” series continues. And it will continue as long as the community asks.
“We hope that people will keep supporting it,” Clement said. “If they keep supporting it, we’ll keep bringing it.” GN
