The Acoustic Brew Coffeehouse concert series turns 10 this week and it's celebrating the only way it knows how.

With music, and lots of it.

The Brew will hold its 10th Anniversary concert tomorrow at the Unitarian Universal Fellowship, 780 Waupelani Drive Extension.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a potluck dinner, followed by a local musician showcase at 7 p.m. Starting at 7:30 p.m., three local acts will grace the stage. Michelle Katz, a singer-songwriter, and Steele Hollow, a string band, will open for the ethnic folk music group Simple Gifts, which also played in the Brew's first show ever in February of 1992.

"All the acts are performing gratuitously," Paul Rito, publicity director said. "Basically we're all involved in the Brew somehow, or have been, and it's basically an Acoustic Brew fundraiser."

Rito said the money raised through the anniversary show will be used to further the mission of the Acoustic Brew, which has been bringing folk music acts into intimate settings in the State College area for 10 years.

Not only will the proceeds help the non-profit organization bring in a wider variety of acts, but Rito also said the group hopes to use some of its funds to support the restoration of State Theatre, 128 W. College Ave.

"We'd really like to use that as a venue in the future," Rito said. "It's something we're really interested in being a part of."

Aside from seeing the show as a way to raise money, Rito also said it's a celebration for those who have been involved.

"We're going to have a big party, and kind of pat ourselves on the back," Rito said. "It's actually a lot of work to put these shows on. I figure probably about 60 volunteer hours per show. That's a lot of man time."

The Acoustic Brew's began with founder John Walls, who moved to central Pennsylvania from New England and modeled the Brew after a similar program he had been involved with in Cambridge, Mass.

Since then, a group of dedicated volunteers -- who do everything from booking acts and housing musicians to setting up the stage and preparing refreshments -- have helped the Acoustic Brew become a respected organization in both the local community and the larger folk music community.

"It's a wonderful, wonderful place to go hear live music," said Simple Gifts' Linda Littleton, who also volunteers with the Brew. "It's a really intimate setting where people get the opportunity to be up close and talk to the musicians."

Aside from talking to the performers, audience members will also get a chance to play with the musicians. An open jam session will follow the show at 9:30 p.m., and Rito said everyone is encouraged to bring his or her instruments along for the evening. The session will add to the celebration while keeping the focus where Littleton feels it belongs -- on the music.

"Sure, it's a celebration," she said. "But it's also a concert. For people who are maybe new to the area or who have never been there before, it's still going to be a nice evening of hearing music."

Tickets for the event are $10 and available at Webster's Bookstore Café, 128 S. Allen St., and the University Book Centre, 206 E. College Ave.