Bob Berky to perform, offer writing workshop

The Mountain Home Arts Council will present Bob Berky in concert at Mountain Home High School's Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m and at a writing shop at 7 p.m. at Oct. 14.

Organizers describe the show as "an evening of physical comedy, eccentric characters and deep belly laughs."

Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for seniors citizens and students and are available from Moxie Java, Village Art Center, the Senior Center and at the door.

Bob Berky is "a theatrical clown with extraordinary class," organizers said. "He has performed as a solo artist at major theaters and festivals throughout the world."

Winner of an OBIE award and NEA and NY Council of the Arts fellowships, Bob has worked extensively as a teaching and performing artist with the Lincoln Center Institute in New York, as well as schools and communities throughout the country. His comic talents have been featured on television for PBS, MTV, Disney, Nickelodeon and various programs in Europe and South America.

At present, in addition to writing and touring, Berky is Artistic Director of the Off Square Theatre in Jackson Hole, Wyo., where he also directs and teaches.

The event is sponsored by the Mountain Home Arts Council, Idaho Commission on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, US Bank, select Mountain Home businesses, and contributions from local citizens.

For more information about the Mountain Home Arts Council, or this event, go the the group's website at www.mharts.org or call 587-3706.

The multitalented Bob Berky will be giving a two hour writing workshop at the Mountain Home Library on Tuesday, Oct. 14, starting at 7 p.m.

The workshop is free and opened to all who are interested in writing or learning more about the skills needed for a writer. During Berky's week-long residency in Mountain Home he will give several workshops at local schools on a variety of performance and literary skills.

The Mountain Home Arts Council is responsible for bringing the award-winning performer and writer to Mountain Home. Call the Arts Council at 587-3706 for reservations as seating is limited.

The literary committee of the Mountain Home Arts Council also will be hosting its semi-annual free Coffee House on Oct. 17 at the Mountain Home Library at 7 p.m. Berky will be the featured reader. The Coffee House seating is limited, so call 587-3706 to reserve a seat. For further information about those events plus other events sponsored by the Mountain Home Arts Council, check their web site at www.raharts.org.

The regular readers and writers Coffee House will resume May 1, 2009. The event provides local readers and writers a chance to read their own or others writing.