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Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series

Spotlight Series

Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series

The Center for Arts at the Armory curates and produces the Spotlight Series to celebrate the diversity and culture of our community by bringing world-renowned performers, always paired with a local opening act, into our historic and intimate setting. We put the spotlight on local, national and international artists from diverse communities, and provide platforms that amplify these voices.

The series focuses on music but also includes theater and dance, as well as keynote speakers, to create immersive experiences sparking joy, inspiration, reflection, and intercultural learning. Past Spotlight Series artists have included Sweet Honey in the Rock, Rufus Wainwright, Meshell Ndegeocello, 10,000 Maniacs, Shawn Colvin, Blind Boys of Alabama, Ravi Coltrane, The Soul Rebels, John Scofield, iLe, Bill Frisell, Leyla McCalla, Lady Lamb, Lakou Mizik, Tracy Kidder & Jim O’Connell, Rodney Crowell, Bitch, Ryan Montbleau Band, BALA BILA w/Balla Kouyate and Matchume Zango, From Baghdad to Brooklyn by Michelle Azar, Wesli, Chris Pureka, David Wax Museum, Riders in the Sky, Fabiola Méndez, and Acoustic Nomads.

If you are interested in sponsoring a performance or the entire series, please click here for more information.

Upcoming Spotlight Series Events

Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents We Black Folk Showcase
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We Black Folk Showcase

March 20, 2026

Celebrate the Boston-based movement to highlight and expand the Black folk genre!

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Rufus Wainwright returns to Arts at the Armory in Somerville, MA for his 2026 East Coast Solo Shows!
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Rufus Wainwright

April 27, 2026

An intimate concert with one of the most distinctive voices of his generation.

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Grace Kelly
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Grace Kelly

May 9, 2026

Saxophonist-singer-songwriter Grace Kelly takes the stage in May 2026 at Arts at the Armory!

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Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents Tourmaline
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Tourmaline

May 28, 2026

Artist, filmmaker, and national bestselling author Tourmaline will discuss her new book!

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Tito Puente, Jr. and dancers musicians from MetaMovements
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Tito Puente Jr. with MetMovements

December 11, 2026

Tito Puente, Jr. and his ensemble brings exhilarating Latin rhythms that will get your feet moving.

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Search Events

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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Jan. 03, 2023    
8:00 am - 10:00 am
Free groceries for older people and younger people with disabilities living in senior housing, provided by Somerville-Cambridge Elder services and the Greater Boston Food Bank
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Smut Slam
Tue. Jan. 03, 2023    
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
What's a SMUT SLAM? I'm so glad you asked! It's a fast-paced storytelling open mic based on REAL life, REAL lust, REAL sex. Consenting Slammers [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jan. 04, 2023    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The New Year's resolution for Songwriters in the Round is continued consistent excellence. We have a solid nine months’ experience programming rewarding, satisfying musical experiences, [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jan. 04, 2023    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at ROOTED Cafe at 7 PM Four songwriters take the stage, seated in a comfortable semi-circle. They take turns playing songs, [...]
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Artist Closing Reception with Nelson Salazar
Sat. Jan. 07, 2023    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Please join us for Nelson Salazar's closing reception, which will be held on January 7th 3:00PM – 5:00PM in the ROOTED Armory Cafe. -- One [...]
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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Jan. 10, 2023    
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Somerville-Cambridge Elder services (SCES) along with the Greater Boston Food Bank, provide older people and younger people with disabilities living in senior housing free groceries. [...]
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Red Cross Blood Drive
Wed. Jan. 11, 2023    
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Red Cross’s regular blood drive returns to the Armory. Please consider donating!
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Amazigh New Year - Boston 2023
Sat. Jan. 14, 2023    
6:00 pm
This coming January 14th, the North African Amazigh community in U.S will come together for another edition to celebrate their culture and heritage. The event, [...]
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I-Opener Community Ecstatic Dance
Sun. Jan. 15, 2023    
10:45 am - 1:00 pm
I-Opener is a monthly community ecstatic dance. Our intention is to gather local community, to become more connected to our body and to each other. [...]
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Live Nation Presents: Daniel Seavey
Sun. Jan. 15, 2023    
7:00 pm
Join us for Daniel Seavey's INTRODUCING DANIEL SEAVEY Tour on January 15. DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM CURFEW: 11PM Tickets: $20 Adv/$25 Day of Show/$40 VIP [...]
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First and Last Word Poetry
Tue. Jan. 17, 2023    
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Doors 6:30 pm. Third Tuesday of every month, with different featured poets each time, and a chance to read your own work during the open-mic section [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jan. 18, 2023    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jumping right back into things this year. We had a blast last week with some new faces and we’ll continue it on January 18. This [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jan. 18, 2023    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at ROOTED Cafe at 7 PM Four songwriters take the stage, seated in a comfortable semi-circle. They take turns playing songs, [...]
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Jamie Monck and Isaac Roth Blumfield Present: Always
Thu. Jan. 19, 2023    
8:00 pm
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The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
Tue. Jan. 24, 2023    
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join us the fourth Tuesday of each month for the Boston Moth StorySLAM! This community-focused, open-mic storytelling competition is open to anyone can share a [...]
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SAC Artist of the Month Reception
Tue. Jan. 24, 2023    
7:00 pm
Info TBA. https://somervilleartscouncil.org/
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Strummerville Ukulele Club
Wed. Jan. 25, 2023    
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Grab your uke and join us as we sing and strum the hits! All levels welcome, from beginners to seasoned hands.
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Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
Thu. Jan. 26, 2023    
7:30 pm
Atomic Comedy at The Armory Cafe An independently-produced, monthly improv show featuring new and veteran local talent. Come see what’s blowing up! 7:30-9:30pm Reserve tickets [...]
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Mike Massé: Epic Acoustic Classic Rock
Sat. Jan. 28, 2023    
6:00 pm
Join Mike Massé for this intimate evening of acoustic music. This internationally acclaimed artist will be performing some of the best classic rock songs of [...]
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Cafe Raqs
Sat. Jan. 28, 2023    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Cafe Raqs is a place for New England's belly dancers of all styles and levels to perform in a fun, professional, and supportive environment! The [...]
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POP African Music Series: Kotoko Brass with Dzidzor
Sun. Jan. 29, 2023    
5:00 pm
To purchase tickets, please click here. Inspired by the traditional drum rhythms of Ghana, Kotoko Brass has created a unique, joyful, and improvisational style of [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Feb. 01, 2023    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
This week at Songwriters in the Round we have a combo of talents that will keep you guessing. Nora Meier has amazing range as a writer — [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Feb. 01, 2023    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at ROOTED Cafe at 7 PM Four songwriters take the stage, seated in a comfortable semi-circle. They take turns playing songs, [...]
More Info
[CANCELED] Brittany Karlson, Forbes Graham, Francisco Mela, Miranda Agnew: Free Jazz/Free Form at the Cafe
Fri. Feb. 03, 2023    
8:00 pm
2/3/23 UPDATE: This event is canceled due to inclement weather. Who: Brittany Karlson, bass, the leader Forbes Graham, trumpet Francisco Mela, drums Miranda Agnew, trumpet [...]
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Events on Tue. Jan. 03, 2023
SCES Brown Bag Program
3 Jan 23
Smut Slam
3 Jan 23
Events on Wed. Jan. 04, 2023
Songwriters in the Round
4 Jan 23
Songwriters in the Round
4 Jan 23
Events on Sat. Jan. 07, 2023
Artist Closing Reception with Nelson Salazar
7 Jan 23
Events on Tue. Jan. 10, 2023
SCES Brown Bag Program
10 Jan 23
Events on Wed. Jan. 11, 2023
Red Cross Blood Drive
11 Jan 23
Events on Sat. Jan. 14, 2023
Amazigh New Year - Boston 2023
14 Jan 23
Events on Sun. Jan. 15, 2023
I-Opener Community Ecstatic Dance
15 Jan 23
Live Nation Presents: Daniel Seavey
15 Jan 23
Events on Tue. Jan. 17, 2023
First and Last Word Poetry
17 Jan 23
Events on Wed. Jan. 18, 2023
Songwriters in the Round
18 Jan 23
Songwriters in the Round
18 Jan 23
Events on Thu. Jan. 19, 2023
Jamie Monck and Isaac Roth Blumfield Present: Always
19 Jan 23
Events on Tue. Jan. 24, 2023
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
24 Jan 23
SAC Artist of the Month Reception
24 Jan 23
Events on Wed. Jan. 25, 2023
Strummerville Ukulele Club
25 Jan 23
Events on Thu. Jan. 26, 2023
Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
26 Jan 23
Events on Sat. Jan. 28, 2023
Mike Massé: Epic Acoustic Classic Rock
28 Jan 23
Cafe Raqs
28 Jan 23
Events on Sun. Jan. 29, 2023
POP African Music Series: Kotoko Brass with Dzidzor
29 Jan 23
Events on Wed. Feb. 01, 2023
Songwriters in the Round
1 Feb 23
Songwriters in the Round
1 Feb 23
Events on Fri. Feb. 03, 2023
[CANCELED] Brittany Karlson, Forbes Graham, Francisco Mela, Miranda Agnew: Free Jazz/Free Form at the Cafe
3 Feb 23

Upcoming Events

The Center for the Arts at the Armory