Karate Sleepover, a local entertainment group specializing in improv and stand-up comedy, will present a stand-up showcase at The Q — 104 W. Second St., Jamestown — on Saturday, Aug. 5, beginning at 10 p.m. Submitted photo

A small faction of humor-minded individuals have banded together to form the crux of a growing independent comedy scene in Jamestown.

Karate Sleepover, a new, locally-grown entertainment group specializing in improv and stand-up comedy, is inviting the community to its stand-up showcase on Saturday, Aug. 5, at The Q — beginning at 10 p.m.

The comedy group formed earlier in the summer, when local comedian Paul Clemente began attending the weekly comedy open mic night events at The Q on Thursday evenings. It was at this weekly event that Clemente crossed paths with a handful of other local comedians and quickly developed an on-stage chemistry with some of them.

“I was fresh off of judging for ‘Chautauqua’s Got Talent,’ and I rediscovered that lust for performing that I haven’t had in years,” Clemente said. “I started going to The Q Open Mic Nights on Thursdays and after a few weeks I met Damian Stokes and Andrew Young. We all got along really well and Damian mentioned working together.”

The group was then expanded to include MW Barrick and Jim Drain, and the name “Karate Sleepover” was selected from approximately 300 other suggestions, Clemente said. The Aug. 5 stand-up showcase came about after Clemente’s scheduled appearance with the 2017 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in downtown Jamestown fell through.

“I decided to make my own show,” he said. “I spoke with Justin Lindell of The Q and he was so accommodating. The show came together quick.”

The showcase will include original skit performances by Karate Sleepover with Robb Will, of the “Wits ‘N Giggles” stand-up series at the Northwest Arena, hosting. The group will be followed by a headlining performance from Ian Insect, a veteran of the Pittsburgh stand-up scene.

The Q is located at 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown. The stand-up showcase is a 21-and-over show and admission is $10.

“You get two hours of comedy for $10, and that’s the best deal you’ll find that weekend,” Clemente said. “We are the only indie comedy scene in Jamestown right now and we’d love the community’s support.”

For more information, contact bookkaratesleepover@gmail.com, visit karatesleepover.com or find Karate Sleepover on Facebook.