The Susquehanna Folk Music Society, in partnership with the Blues Society of Central Pennsylvania, will present blues and folk musician Happy Traum in an in-person blues guitar workshop and a concert on Sunday, July 11, outdoors at Fishing Creek Salem United Methodist Church (UMC), 402 Valley Road, Goldsboro. The event is part of the 2021 Susquehanna Folk Festival.

The workshop will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m., followed by an informal blues jam. Attendees may bring their instruments and join in the jam or just pull up a chair to listen. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Chairs will be provided for the workshop, but patrons should bring a lawn chair or a blanket for the other activities.

The workshop is titled "Blues and Country Fingerpicking: Conquering the Challenge of the Steady Thumb." This session is open to any players, from early intermediates to experienced guitarists, who want to unravel the mysteries of the steady-bass thumb-and-finger styles used by blues and country pickers as well as by singer-songwriters. Space is limited.

Traum is a folk singer, writer, teacher, recording artist and fingerstyle guitarist. He was a student of blues guitar legend Brownie McGhee, who was a major influence on his picking style. Traum has played in concerts, clubs and festivals throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan, both solo and with his late brother, Artie Traum. Happy has also performed and recorded with major figures in the folk music world, such as Bob Dylan and Allen Ginsberg.

Happy has taught at major guitar workshops throughout the country; is the author of more than a dozen guitar instruction books; and has produced more than 600 music lessons on DVD, on CD, and for download for his company, Homespun Music Instruction, which he co-founded with his wife, Jane. His most recent CD is "Just for the Love of It."

Salem Fishing Creek UMC features a picnic pavilion and a large, shaded lawn plus amenities such as nearby restrooms and ample parking. It is handicapped-accessible. Attendees may arrive early and bring a picnic dinner or stroll on a short, adjacent wooded walking trail. No alcohol is allowed on the church grounds. Anyone with pandemic-related safety concerns may choose to sit in family units and wear masks. In the case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the church sanctuary, which is also large enough to allow social distancing.

Patrons are asked to register online and choose a donation level prior to the event. To register, visit http://www.sfmsfolk.org/festival/HappyTraum.html. Patrons must show proof of registration at the event.

For more information, visit the aforementioned website or call 717-745-6577.