email email email linkedin email email
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
GET TICKETS

We Black Folk Showcase

March 20, 2026

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

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

Rufus Wainwright

April 27, 2026

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

GET TICKETS
Grace Kelly
GET TICKETS

Grace Kelly

May 9, 2026

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

GET TICKETS
Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents Tourmaline
GET TICKETS

Tourmaline

May 28, 2026

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

GET TICKETS
Tito Puente, Jr. and dancers musicians from MetaMovements
GET TICKETS

Tito Puente Jr. with MetMovements

December 11, 2026

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

GET TICKETS

Search Events

Today
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
31
1
2
7:30 PM - Smut Slam
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
7:00 PM - Pub Sing
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
7:00 PM - Cafe Raqs
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Jan. 02, 2024    
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
More Info
Smut Slam
Tue. Jan. 02, 2024    
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 [...]
More Info
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jan. 03, 2024    
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
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jan. 03, 2024    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Four songwriters, trading songs and swapping stories. And you have a front row seat. The New Year’s Resolution from Songwriters in the Round at the [...]
More Info
Alicia Svigals and Donald Sosin:The City Without Jews
Thu. Jan. 04, 2024    
7:15 pm
The Boston Festival of New Jewish Music is delighted to present Alicia alongside celebrated silent film pianist Donald Sosin in a cine-concert performance of THE [...]
More Info
Vivian Tu, CEO and founder of Your Rich BFF
Fri. Jan. 05, 2024    
6:30 pm
From TikTok star and Your (favorite) Rich BFF Vivian Tu, the definitive book on personal finance for a new generation — Rich AF: The Winning [...]
More Info
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Jan. 07, 2024    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
ROOTED Armory Café is the place to be with our new SUNDAY BRUNCH starting Nov. 4th! French toast, pancakes, frittata, pulled pork tacos, mimosas, espresso [...]
More Info
Celebrity Series of Boston presents: Music From The Sole
Tue. Jan. 09, 2024    
6:30 pm
Company members from Music From the Sole will lead a community music (body percussion) and movement workshop! No dance experience required (no tap shoes, sneakers [...]
More Info
Tunefoolery Coffee House
Wed. Jan. 10, 2024    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tunefoolery Music is a non-profit organization for musicians in mental health recovery.
More Info
Pub Sing
Thu. Jan. 11, 2024    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Join in with chorus songs that are easy to learn and fun to sing
More Info
Get to the Gig & MassConcerts Presents: bo en
Fri. Jan. 12, 2024    
7:00 pm
THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT! Doors: 7:00 PM Show: 8:00 PM
More Info
Amazigh New Year
Sat. Jan. 13, 2024    
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
The Amazigh New Year, also known as Yennayer, is a joyous and important holiday for the Amazigh people of North Africa. The Amazigh are an [...]
More Info
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Jan. 14, 2024    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
ROOTED Armory Café is the place to be for SUNDAY BRUNCH! French toast, pancakes, frittata, pulled pork tacos, mimosas, espresso drinks and much more. Sunday [...]
More Info
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jan. 17, 2024    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Four songwriters, trading songs and swapping stories. And you have a front row seat. Songwriters in the Round was a blast at our first show of [...]
More Info
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jan. 17, 2024    
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
Show Me Your Bits Standup & Sketch Show
Fri. Jan. 19, 2024    
8:00 pm
I make my comedy friends show me their bits and I got follow up questions! Standup! Characters! Sketch! Rhett! Alcohol! Come! Exclamations! Get tickets now! [...]
More Info
Zine Stand Coming Out Party
Sat. Jan. 20, 2024    
7:00 pm
Join us for a celebration of local zine creativity and brilliance! This is a free event. We are excited to announce the official "coming out" [...]
More Info
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Jan. 21, 2024    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
ROOTED Armory Café is the place to be with our new SUNDAY BRUNCH starting Nov. 4th! French toast, pancakes, frittata, pulled pork tacos, mimosas, espresso [...]
More Info
School of Rock Watertown Fall '23 Season Show #1
Sun. Jan. 21, 2024    
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
School of Rock Watertown is back for our Fall '23 Season Shows, featuring student performances in a wide range of contemporary genres including classic rock, [...]
More Info
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
Tue. Jan. 23, 2024    
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tonight's theme… WONDERS: Prepare a five-minute story about life's knee-buckling moments. Feeling small under the stars, meeting the love of your life, finding the toy before [...]
More Info
Strummerville Ukulele Club
Wed. Jan. 24, 2024    
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.
More Info
Musical Comedy Night Improv Jam
Fri. Jan. 26, 2024    
7:00 pm
A night of music and laughs, featuring Uncomposed, the mini-musical Mamma Miserables, and an all-access musical improv jam! Get tickets now! Join us for an [...]
More Info
VoiceLab A Cappella Concert
Sat. Jan. 27, 2024    
6:30 pm
VoiceLab is an a cappella group comprised of graduate students and young professionals in the Boston area. They are an all-gender group typically comprised of [...]
More Info
Cafe Raqs
Sat. Jan. 27, 2024    
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 [...]
More Info
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Jan. 28, 2024    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
ROOTED Armory Café is the place to be with our new SUNDAY BRUNCH! French toast, pancakes, frittata, pulled pork tacos, mimosas, espresso drinks and much [...]
More Info
School of Watertown – Fall '23 Season Show #2
Sun. Jan. 28, 2024    
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
School of Rock Watertown is back for our Fall '23 Season Shows, featuring student performances in a wide range of contemporary genres including classic rock, [...]
More Info
Events on Tue. Jan. 02, 2024
SCES Brown Bag Program
2 Jan 24
Smut Slam
2 Jan 24
Events on Wed. Jan. 03, 2024
Songwriters in the Round
3 Jan 24
Songwriters in the Round
3 Jan 24
Events on Thu. Jan. 04, 2024
Alicia Svigals and Donald Sosin:The City Without Jews
4 Jan 24
Events on Fri. Jan. 05, 2024
Vivian Tu, CEO and founder of Your Rich BFF
5 Jan 24
Events on Sun. Jan. 07, 2024
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
7 Jan 24
Events on Tue. Jan. 09, 2024
Celebrity Series of Boston presents: Music From The Sole
9 Jan 24
Events on Wed. Jan. 10, 2024
Tunefoolery Coffee House
10 Jan 24
Events on Thu. Jan. 11, 2024
Pub Sing
11 Jan 24
Events on Fri. Jan. 12, 2024
Get to the Gig & MassConcerts Presents: bo en
12 Jan 24
Events on Sat. Jan. 13, 2024
Amazigh New Year
13 Jan 24
Events on Sun. Jan. 14, 2024
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
14 Jan 24
Events on Wed. Jan. 17, 2024
Songwriters in the Round
17 Jan 24
Songwriters in the Round
17 Jan 24
Events on Fri. Jan. 19, 2024
Show Me Your Bits Standup & Sketch Show
19 Jan 24
Events on Sat. Jan. 20, 2024
Zine Stand Coming Out Party
20 Jan 24
Events on Sun. Jan. 21, 2024
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
21 Jan 24
School of Rock Watertown Fall '23 Season Show #1
21 Jan 24
Events on Tue. Jan. 23, 2024
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
23 Jan 24
Events on Wed. Jan. 24, 2024
Strummerville Ukulele Club
24 Jan 24
Events on Fri. Jan. 26, 2024
Musical Comedy Night Improv Jam
26 Jan 24
Events on Sat. Jan. 27, 2024
VoiceLab A Cappella Concert
27 Jan 24
Cafe Raqs
27 Jan 24
Events on Sun. Jan. 28, 2024
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
28 Jan 24
School of Watertown – Fall '23 Season Show #2
28 Jan 24

Upcoming Events

The Center for the Arts at the Armory