MONTICELLO, NY — World renowned composer, singer and pianist Luiz Simas will instruct and entertain at the Eugene D. Nesin Theatre for the Performing Arts, at 22 St. John St., on Tuesday, August 11. The hands-on workshop and lecture performance runs from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

During this introduction to Brazilian rhythms and music styles, Simas will demonstrate on the piano the differences between the two main families of rhythms in Brazil: the “samba” family (choro, traditional samba, bossa-nova, etc.) and the “baião” family (baião, afoxé, xaxado, etc.). He will illustrate those differences by teaching how to play those rhythms using hand percussion. Students will play two different pieces together on their instruments: a simple samba, and a simple baião. Music sheets will be provided for the different instruments, and percussion instruments will be provided to those who didn’t bring their own.

Tickets cost $15, and students with an ID are admitted free. This project is made possible in part with funding from a Sullivan County Arts & Heritage Grant funded by the Sullivan County Legislature and administered by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance. Email ellen@nesin culturalarts.org or call 845/794-6013.