Spike Davis headlines Spring Fling

By Anyssa Roberts | @KyKernel

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For students seeking a positive experience this weekend, UK Black Voices will host a Spring Fling fundraiser at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Memorial Hall.

The event will raise funds for the Express Yourself Youth Fest, an event that brings youth together to enjoy clean entertainment, which will take place in July.

“I wanted to have an event every year that young people can enjoy,” said founder Nicole Johnson of the Express Yourself Youth Fest. “I want it to be an event where people can perform and be introduced to different types of art.”

Johnson said last year’s Express Yourself Youth Fest was paid for primarily out of her own pocket, so she decided to start up the Spring Fling comedy show to help raise money.

Spring Fling will include the comedy styling of Spike Davis, a mini fashion show featuring designs by an up-and-coming designer, a performance by the UK Black Voices Choir and a mini step show.

Johnson chose to bring in Davis to headline the event.

“I wanted to find someone who was somewhat well-known to attract young people to the event. Davis is from Louisville and he’s done standup in many different places,” Johnson said. “Spike is very down to Earth and he does clean comedy. There are intelligent people out there who enjoy intelligent comedy.”

Davis is a comedian, actor, writer and does musical comedy. He toured with Jamie Foxx in “Jamie Foxx Presents Laffapalooza,” and has performed standup on popular shows like BET’s “Comic View” and HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam.”

Lovers of fashion can see designs by the up-and-coming designer, Chris Hudson.

Hudson is creator and founder of “Life’s Journey,” a clothing brand dedicated to inspiring others to lead a positive lifestyle. The brand, which originated in Lexington, includes T-shirts and accessories.

Johnson said she hoped the event will raise money and awareness for the Express Yourself Youth Fest, so youth can be exposed to positive entertainment.

“These days young people are attracted by so many negative things,” Johnson said. “If there is one day per year, if they don’t have to deal with that, I have made my contribution to my community.”

Tickets for the Spring Fling can be purchased for $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Groups of ten or more people can purchase tickets for $10 per person when purchased together.

For more information about the comedy show or to purchase tickets, contact Nicole Johnson at (859) 270-4075 or Raychel Fort at (270) 839-8788.