Six-day ‘DeForeFest’ to honor late comedian Kenny DeForest in his hometown of Springfield
Comedy festival coming to Springfield in memory of Kenny DeForest News-Leader
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DeForeFest: A Comedy Festival Celebrating Kenny DeForest’s Legacy
It’s what Kenny DeForest wanted but never had time to concoct.
The late New York City comedian had discussed the prospect of hosting a comedy festival in his hometown of Springfield — an event that would bring some of the industry’s most proven talent to the Ozarks — but he was too busy to put the plan in motion.
After his death, DeForest’s longtime comedy friends Clark Jones and Will Miles were encouraged to pursue the idea, an ode to a community that helped mold DeForest’s sense of humor and helped thrust him into one of the higher tiers in his industry.
“He just loved his hometown so much, and it loved him equally,” said Jones, whose friendship with DeForest dates back to their time as rookie Chicago comics in 2009. “It wouldn’t have been too grand of an idea (to pull off) but he had so much going on at the time.”
DeForest, whose laundry list of stand-up credits include Comedy Central and Late Night with Seth Meyers, died in December in Brooklyn after sustaining a brain injury in an e-bike accident. He was 37.
The former Kickapoo and Drury basketball player would have turned 38 on April 23. This year, the date will instead mark the beginning of a six-day comedy festival and a celebration of life in Springfield.
More than a dozen established comedians from around the country will be flying into Springfield to perform at Blue Room Comedy Club and to pay their respects to their friend. Actor, comedian and singer Hannibal Buress is headlining the event.
Mayor Ken McClure is expected to make a proclamation, declaring April 23 Kenny DeForest Day.
Think Woodstock, but comedy.
“DeForeFest is the perfect name,” said Clark, host and organizer. “Coming from Springfield, he really bridged that gap between (markets) like that and New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.”
Friend and Blue Room Comedy Club owner Chris Richelle remembers when Deforest was getting his start in the comedy scene and doing acts at Prima’s Mexican restaurant before his ascent to larger stages.
“This is showing how much we love Kenny for everything he made possible,” Richelle said.
Apparel, tickets and passes are being sold at DeForeFest.com.
What’s on tap at DeForeFest
April 23: Friends and fans are encouraged to attend Mayor McClure’s proclamation at 3 p.m. at the
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
- Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.
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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
- Indicator 11.4.1: Total expenditure (public and private) per capita spent on the preservation, protection, and conservation of all cultural and natural heritage.
Analysis
The article discusses the organization of a comedy festival in Springfield, which is connected to the following SDGs:
1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The comedy festival aims to provide employment opportunities for comedians and contribute to economic growth in the community.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The festival celebrates the cultural heritage of Springfield and promotes the city as a vibrant and sustainable community.
Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:
1. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
The comedy festival provides employment opportunities for comedians, contributing to the target of achieving full and productive employment.
2. Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
The festival celebrates the cultural heritage of Springfield, contributing to the target of safeguarding cultural heritage.
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators related to the identified targets. However, potential indicators that can be used to measure progress towards these targets include:
1. Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.
This indicator can be used to measure the economic impact of the comedy festival on the earnings of comedians.
2. Indicator 11.4.1: Total expenditure (public and private) per capita spent on the preservation, protection, and conservation of all cultural and natural heritage.
This indicator can be used to measure the investment in preserving and protecting the cultural heritage of Springfield through the comedy festival.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. | Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. | Indicator 11.4.1: Total expenditure (public and private) per capita spent on the preservation, protection, and conservation of all cultural and natural heritage. |
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Source: news-leader.com
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