Brought together by hometown hero Muriel Anderson, three top guitarists will offer food for the soul this Thanksgiving weekend in Downers Grove. The next day will find Anderson teaching her secrets in a new workshop. 

For her 17th annual hometown concert, Anderson, the only woman yet to win the International Fingerpicking Guitar Championship, will be joined by two guest artists at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at her alma mater, Downers Grove North High School, 4436 Main St.

Vicki Genfan of New Jersey was named Guitar Player Magazine’s Guitar Superstar 2008 this fall for her acoustic playing, the first female to garner the honor. Lily Afshar is an Iranian guitarist whose many awards include the 2000 Gibson Award for Best Female Classical Guitarist. Her recordings include music from her native Iran, complete with the semitones accomplished by modifying her guitar with extra half-frets.

Anderson, who studied with legendary guitarists Chet Atkins and Christopher Parkening, has carved out a repertoire that stretches from The Beatles to Sousa marches to Bulgarian music. Her music is featured in Woody Allen’s latest film “Vickie Christina Barcelona,” and has traveled as far as outer space with astronauts on a Space Shuttle mission. Known for the stories she shares between songs, Anderson will play nylon string and harp guitar instrumentals, as well as new vocal compositions.

Anderson’s concert is a neighborhood tradition, with her parents, family and friends providing homemade refreshments and hot apple cider at intermission. A ticket also includes a chance to win a guitar donated by Tobias Music. A portion of proceeds will benefit the charity Anderson founded, The Music For Life Alliance. She said she will award a grant and plaque to the Old Town School of Folk Music and other organizations at the concert.

Tickets cost $22 in advance for adults, and $12 for students and seniors, $3 more at the door. For tickets, visit www.murielanderson.com or stop by Anderson’s Bookstores in Downers Grove and Naperville. For more information, call (630) 541-8529.

Anderson will teach “Arranging in the Key of D” from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. For details and tickets, visit her Web site or call the number above.