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

We Black Folk Showcase

March 20, 2026

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

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

Rufus Wainwright

April 27, 2026

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

Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly

May 9, 2026

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

Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents Tourmaline

Tourmaline

May 28, 2026

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

Tito Puente, Jr. and dancers musicians from MetaMovements

Tito Puente Jr. with MetMovements

December 11, 2026

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

Search Events

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9:00 AM - Commonwealth Pen Show

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6:30 PM - The Bowery Presents: feeble little horse

7:00 PM - West Coast Swing Training

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7:00 PM - Cirque Us Stories

7:00 PM - Max Weigert Album Release

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7:00 PM - Damir Imamovic

7:00 PM - Songwriters in the Round

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6:30 PM - Inside Joke: Standup Comedians Make Art Opening Reception and Comedy Show

6:30 PM - Somerville Poetry Workshop

7:00 PM - Get to the Gig Presents Makaya McCraven

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7:00 PM - Way Underground: Renaissance 001

7:00 PM - WYRD: Improv Comedy Night

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8:30 AM - BSides CambridgeMA

6:00 PM - Bill Blumenreich Presents Dustin Nickerson

7:00 PM - Somerville Songwriter Sessions

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4:00 PM - GottaBal! Dance

6:00 PM - Get to the Gig Presents Mind's Eye with Hot Flash Heat Wave

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6:30 PM - Bill Blumenreich Presents Martha Wells

7:00 PM - West Coast Swing Training

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7:30 PM - Smut Slam

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6:30 PM - Bill Blumenreich Presents Two Girls One Ghost

7:00 PM - Tunefoolery Coffee House

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6:00 PM - Get to the Gig Presents Cloakroom with JiveBomb and Destiny Bond

6:30 PM - Somerville Poetry Workshop

7:00 PM - Pub Sing

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7:00 PM - World Class Music Live Presents: Orchestra Gold

8:00 PM - The Nova Comedy Collective Presents: Nebula Night

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11:00 AM - Arts Fair for Palestine

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10:00 AM - Boston TOYCON

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7:00 PM - West Coast Swing Training

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6:00 PM - Lady Ray and her Jazz Birds

6:30 PM - The Bowery Presents: Rachael Yamagata with Anya Marina

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7:00 PM - Songwriters in the Round

7:00 PM - Bill Blumenreich Presents Failboat and JayMoji: The Stupid Simple Gameshow

7:00 PM - Songwriters in the Round

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7:00 PM - Live Nation Presents Grace Helbig - "Let Me Get This Off My Chest"

7:30 PM - Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night

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12:00 PM - Wicked Good Aht Mahket

7:00 PM - Arts at the Amory POP Presents: Phantom of the Opera - The Centennial

7:30 PM - Mr. Tampon Man's Bloody Halloween

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6:30 PM - The Bowery Presents: Madi Diaz with Clover County

7:00 PM - West Coast Swing Training

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7:30 PM - Stand-Up on the Spot: an Improvised Stand-Up Show

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6:30 PM - Strummerville Ukulele Club

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6:30 PM - Polyam Discussion Group

7:30 PM - Cirque of the Dead

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7:00 PM - Inside Joke: Gallery Exhibition + Comedy Show!

7:30 PM - Cirque of the Dead

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4:30 PM - Cirque of the Dead

8:30 PM - Cirque of the Dead

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3:00 PM - Kissed a Ghoul, Liked It: Diversity in Paranormal Romance Author Panel

6:30 PM - BLOWWLOWEEN: Death BLOWWs

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6:30 PM - POP Presents Mutual Aid Benefit Concert

7:00 PM - West Coast Swing Training

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6:30 PM - The Moth: Boston StorySLAM: Go Team!

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6:30 PM - Get To The Gig & MassConcerts Present: The Autumn Defense

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6:30 PM - Somerville Poetry Workshop

7:00 PM - Arts at the Armory Presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary

7:30 PM - The Nova Comedy Collective's Big Bang Stand-Up

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7:30 PM - Cirque of the Dead

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Upcoming Events

Somerville Winter Farmers Market

Somerville Winter Farmers Market

Sat. Apr. 11, 2026, 9:30 AM

Rick & Friends

Sat. Apr. 11, 2026, 10:00 AM

Jamie Dunphy and True North

Jamie Dunphy and True North

Sat. Apr. 11, 2026, 3:00 PM