It takes a lot of money and man (and woman) power to keep the Tamaqua Community Art Center afloat.

Located at 125 Pine St., Tamaqua, in a repurposed 1900s-era church, the center has huge rooms which are challenging to heat and cool.Add tables, chairs, a sound system, maintenance and a thousand other little bits and pieces and it's no surprise that it costs about $8,000 a month to keep the center running.To help offset those costs, the center hosted its Second Annual Big Benefit Concert on Friday night.The group "Redz Vision" served as the house band, warming up the crowd before master of ceremonies Micah Gursky, director of development at St. Luke's Hospital-Miners Campus, took the stage.Gursky also provided several vocal selections, as did Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison. Assisting them at lead guitar was St. Luke's Miner's president Bill Moyer.The crowd was treated to two surprise performances.Pennsylvania state Sen. Dave Argall seemed a bit anxious before he took the stage with his trusty saxophone. "I haven't played this thing since I was a member of the Tamaqua Area High School Band," he laughed.Gursky said after the senator's performance, "Mr. Hunt (former Tamaqua Area High School band director) would be proud," as Argall didn't miss a note.The second surprise was a performance by Zac Yenser, a 9-year-old Tamaqua Elementary School student who has been taking guitar lessons at the center for the past two years. Yenser's teacher, Buddy Musselman, assured the crowd he was ready for the big stage, calming his student's nerves as he took the stage.Any nerves Yenser may have felt floated away as his fingers found the right chords, delighting the crowd to the point where they demanded an encore. At the end of the encore, Yenser was the one who was surprised, as he was presented with an electric guitar from Redz Vision guitarist Miles Coursen.In addition to Coursen, the band consists of Traci Wehbe (Redz), John Nigrelli and Rich Stern.Refreshments were provided by Macaluso's Restaurant and Cocktail Bar at the Lantern Lodge in Nesquehoning; Galen Glen Vineyard and Winery of Andreas; Blue Lizard Vineyard and Winery of Andreas; D.G. Yuengling and Son of Pottsville; and a candy bar courtesy of Tink's Antiques and Sweet Treats Cakes and Candies of Tamaqua.All proceeds benefit the art center, a 501c3 nonprofit organization which provides an inclusive, educational, safe venue where anyone can participate, appreciate, create and learn more about the fine and performing arts.For more information, call 570-668-1192.