click to enlarge Photo by Danny Wicentowski

Every first Thursday of the month you can head over toand catch a one-of-a-kind St. Louis comedy show. "Run the Joes," which pays homage in its name to the hip-hop group Run the Jewels, was created by local comedian Joe Murray.The show, which blends both stand-up and improv, kicked off with its first event last month. Murray says, "I wanted to make a show — this isn't just a showcase where people get up and do fifteen to twenty minutes and then the show's just over."Instead, Murray has audience members write some ideas onto pieces of paper; they will draw ideas from a hat to give the show its material. Two comedians will be on stage at once, working off each other throughout the show.Murray has been doing comedy in and around St. Louis for the past ten years in both improv and stand-up. A native of Troy, Missouri, he moved to St. Louis after college.Murray hosts every show, featuring himself and five other local comedians. That's included Greg Warren and other winners of past St. Louis comedy competitions."I'm just trying to let people know that it's something a little different and not just people on stage doing their material," he says.The opportunity to see the next "Run the Joes" show will be July 6 at 8 p.m at the Improv Shop.