By ANDREW LEIBENGUTH

aleibenguth@tnonline.comVolunteers with the Tamaqua Community Arts Center held their first annual Fall Arts and Music Festival in in coordination with the 28th Annual Tamaqua Heritage Festival held Sunday.The center was open to the public and hosted a large art exhibit, live music and various dance performances. A number of volunteer performers of the center were staged throughout the streets of Tamaqua during the festival.There were also clay/pottery and jewelry wire making demonstrations. In addition, there was also a special guest dancers from Amanda Carson of Bare Toes Yoga & the PA Performing Arts. Some of the performers consisted of Dave Matsinko performing old time traditional folk music, Sam Thul performing acoustic guitar and vocal, Ron O'Neil performing acoustic guitar and vocal, Norm Williams performing old time Appalachian songs, Amanda Carson performing belly dancing, Steven Moyer doing keyboard and vocals, Susan Featro also performing keyboard and vocals and Amanda Whitley and Jenny Beck doing a vocal accapella.Artists' works consisted of Craig Bulger, Samantha Heck, Sharon Miller-Readinger, Janet Dechert, June Krell, Jeffery Beauvais, Susan Trainer, Valerie Betz, Jeff Rimm, Patty Passick, Heather Ernst, Donna Randall and Autumn Randall. "It was a great success. We had a lot of new comers visit the center," said Leona Rega, center coordinator. "Thank you to all the volunteers, dancers, performers and visitors." For more information about weekly and special events held at the center, call (570) 668-1192 or visit

www.tacp.info/arts-center-happenings