The Acoustic Brew concert series will bring back one of its most popular performers Saturday and give interested audience members a chance to learn a little bit about his talent.

Pat Donohue, a folk and blues guitarist and singer, will precede his two performances at the Center for Well-Being, 123 Mt. Nittany Road. in Lemont, with a half-hour workshop to instruct participants in his most celebrated skill -- finger picking. Folk singer Carol Ponder will open.

"Finger picking is a style of playing where you use all of your fingers and no pick," Donohue said. "It's also called right-hand technique."

According to Donohue's Web site, finger-picking master Chet Atkins called Donohue one of the best finger pickers in the world. Donohue said it feels great to be recognized by such a prestigious artist. Acoustic Brew publicist Paul Rito said this will be Donohue's third time performing at the series and that he's a real favorite with audience members.

"It's not often that you get a chance to see someone like this so up-close," Rito said. "He's right there. Even though there are about 100 seats in the center, it's really a very personal living room-like environment."

Rito said that although the Acoustic Brew originally had only one concert scheduled, it sold out about three weeks ago, so the series organizers decided to add another to satisfy more people.

"Donohue is just a really great guy as well as a musician," Rito said. "He plays primarily folk music, but he can do just about anything. He's a very versatile artist. He writes funny songs as well as really touching songs."

According to Donohue's Web site, the artist plays about 30 concerts a year nationwide, teaches at several music camps and performs weekly on a nationally aired radio show, A Prairie Home Companion.

On the show, Donohue said he plays guitar for his band, The Guys All-Star Shoe Band.

"We play a large variety of things because it's a variety show," Donohue said. "We perform a lot of things that I bring in from the folk and blues genre."

Donohue said he's looking forward to performing at The Acoustic Brew again, and being able to give a seminar on finger picking.

"I love playing at the Center for Well-Being because it's one of the only places where I can play for a fairly sizable group of people with no PA system, and the attendance is always great," Donohue said. "I also really enjoy teaching. I do seminars often and also do some private lessons."

Donohue will hold a free workshop from 4 to 4:30 p.m., and concerts will be held at 5 and 7:30 p.m. The later show is sold out, but tickets for the earlier show are still available for $7 and can be purchased at the University Book Centre, 206 E. College Ave., and at Webster's Bookstore Café, 128 S. Allen St.