Dave Fry, an award-winning folk performer who has entertained families for decades, will present an interactive Family Fun Folk Concert from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St. in Tamaqua.

The concert is sponsored by the Stadium Hill Café, 417 Spruce St. and is the first interactive family concert of the summer.Fry is an arts educator and entrepreneur and is known to feature both traditional and contemporary folk music, spliced together with guitar, mandolin, banjo, as well as wry commentary on American family life.Originally from upstate New York, Fry graduated from Lehigh University in 1973 with a dual bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and philosophy. During his college days he began performing with the Graveyard Skiffle Band, specializing in folk and jug music from the early 1920s.In the 1970s he developed a love for bluegrass, country blues and acoustic styles of music. It was during those days that he founded the nonprofit Godfrey Daniels venue in Bethlehem, a respected stop for folk musicians, both nationally and internationally.During the early 1980s, Fry worked with children in music education as part of the Touchstone Theatre Company and enjoyed touring in Mexico and performing on the lawn of the White House.He has been honored by the states of New Jersey and Connecticut for his work with schools, and was a charter member of the PA Performing Artists on Tour, in addition to a seat as a judge for the NAMM, independent record label.Other musical endeavors found him performing Texas-swing and rock'n'roll with his band Steppin' Out!, and with folk/rock quartet Out on a Limb, as well as progressive bluegrass with Pavlov's Dawgs and Celtic-rock with Murphy's Trousers in the 1990s."We are excited and honored to host Dave in our venue," said Leona Rega, art center coordinator. "Our newly renovated Performing Arts Hall was completed in February for just this purpose, to host a variety of concerts, theater and more for all ages and all levels of talent, from the garage band to the award-winning performers and more."Rega said the venue features central air, 66 theater seats which were refurbished from the Tamaqua Little Theatre, 52 high top tables and chairs along with a professional stage, lighting and sound system."Not that Dave will keep the audience in their seats for long," she said, "but we encourage those interested in the show to purchase tickets in advance."Tickets will also be available at the door upon availability.For more information call 570-668-1192 or email

leona@tacp.info.The Tamaqua Community Art Center is a nonprofit organization which provides the local area with a wide variety of offerings in fine and performing arts. Its full calendar can be viewed at

www.tamaquaarts.org.To learn more about Dave Fry, go to davefrymusic.com/index.html.