Sometimes it’s hard to get any work done here at the ArtWorks Center.

Art is happening on every level — literally, every one of our three floors is stuffed to the rafters with it. All too often we’re caught up with meetings and paperwork, the stuff that makes the art go around, but once in awhile we remember to give ourselves a moment to be distracted, to stand back and watch the good stuff happen. And there are a few moments coming up in the next few weeks that I can’t wait to see.

Bradley Mariska returns with another music appreciation class in just a few days. This time, though, it’s a bit more modern. “Broadway: Then & Now,” which begins this Wednesday (still two spots open as I write this, so get on it, folks), is a backstage tour down New York City’s storied corridor, both past and present. If it’s anything like Mariska’s previous two sessions of “Classical Music for Dummies,” there should be plenty to see.

Our second ArtRocks Open Jam session is slated for Oct. 30 and this time Jesse Smith and Cosmic will take on the role of house band. Last month’s jam was truly one for the books with a room full of both veteran and fresh-faced musicians, both inveterate fans and casual Friday night revelers, we could hardly stop ourselves from playing ‘til dawn. If you missed it once, don’t miss twice.

Finally, we’re gearing up for a special Halloween morning kids’ studio. Kiddos are invited to dress up in their costume and join us in the Clay Cavern on Saturday the 31st, where we’ll be sculpting from 10:30 a.m. to noon. We’ll have a room full of superheroes, supervillains, and fantastic creatures, all making their own monsters. I daresay Dr. Frankenstein would be proud.

Check out our events at austinareaarts.org.