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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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Jayme Horne Exhibition
Mon. Oct. 23, 2023 - Sun. Nov. 26, 2023    
All Day
"It Came From the Closet" by Jayme Horne at Rooted Armory Café on view October 23 to November 26, 2023. You are invited to view artwork by [...]
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Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents: Fabiola Méndez
Sun. Oct. 29, 2023    
5:00 pm
Arts at the Armory is delighted to welcome back cuatro player, singer, composer, and educator Fabiola Méndez as a headliner to our Spotlight Series. Her [...]
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Adam and Carlos do Half Hours!
Sun. Oct. 29, 2023    
7:30 pm
New York comics Adam Mitrani and Carlos Nolla bring their half hours to Somerville! Opening sets by Claire Siemietkowski and Alan Moreau! Buy your tickets [...]
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ROOTED Armory Cafe Presents: Skele-bration!
Tue. Oct. 31, 2023    
6:00 pm
We’re celebrating the spooky season with a Halloween Skele-bration! Join us on October 31st at 6pm for games, delights, and haunting frights! We’ll be creeping [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Nov. 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, [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Nov. 01, 2023    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The day after Halloween needs a name. You know how the day after Christmas is Boxing Day? Where everyone dons gloves and steps into the [...]
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BB Presents: Erin French: Big Heart Little Stove [Sold Out]
Thu. Nov. 02, 2023    
7:00 pm
Please note this event is SOLD OUT.   Big Heart Little Stove is your new go-to inspiration for cooking thoughtful and meaningful, yet refreshingly simple [...]
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ROOTED Cafe Music Series Presents: Rachel Sumner
Fri. Nov. 03, 2023    
8:00 pm
Arts at the Armory's Rooted Armory Cafe will present the NEW Rooted Music Series beginning in November 2023! Rachel Sumner will kick off the series [...]
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Amer Zahr Comedy Show: The Uncivilized Truth
Fri. Nov. 03, 2023    
8:00 pm
Amer Zahr is a Palestinian Arab American comedian, speaker, writer, academic, and adjunct professor at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He draws on [...]
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Jean Appolon Expressions: Banboche
Sat. Nov. 04, 2023    
6:00 pm
Banboche 2023 Celebrate 10 years of JAE with us at Banboche 2023! Join Jean and the dance company to honor a year of vibrant, global [...]
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Somerville Songwriter Sessions
Sat. Nov. 04, 2023    
7:30 pm
Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe present a live, in-person concert with Eric Schwartz, Chris & Meredith Thompson, and Terry Kitchen. The evening will begin at [...]
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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Nov. 05, 2023    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
ROOTED Armory Café is the place to be with our new SUNDAY BRUNCH starting Nov. 5th! French toast, pancakes, frittata, pulled pork tacos, mimosas, espresso [...]
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Community Conversations with the Human Rights Campaign
Sun. Nov. 05, 2023    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The Human Rights Campaign will be hosting a panel discussion with leaders from other local LGBTQ+ organizations. Topics will include allyship, shared challenges across different [...]
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Pool Boy Comedy Presents: Corporate Hell - Live Sketch and Standup Showcase
Sun. Nov. 05, 2023    
7:00 pm
Join us for a night of live sketch and standup comedy featuring local comedians and sketch comedy teams. Dive in, the water's warm! Pool Boy [...]
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Get To The Gig Boston presents: Walter Etc. & Suzie True
Mon. Nov. 06, 2023    
7:00 pm
Walter Etc. is the brainchild of Dustin Cole Hayes, who has been creating music (originally as Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra), writing, videos, and [...]
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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Nov. 07, 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. Nov. 07, 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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Tunefoolery Coffee House
Wed. Nov. 08, 2023    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tunefoolery Music is a non-profit organization for musicians in mental health recovery.
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The Bowery Presents: SUSTO
Wed. Nov. 08, 2023    
7:00 pm
A season of drastic change is what brought SUSTO frontman Justin Osborne to the band’s fifth full-length LP, My Entire Life [New West Records]. There [...]
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Pub Sing
Thu. Nov. 09, 2023    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Join in with chorus songs that are easy to learn and fun to sing
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Jesus in the XXI Century
Fri. Nov. 10, 2023    
7:00 pm
ELIM Mission Crisitiana presents a Question and Answers Panel. In this panel, we will be answering doubts you may have about Jesus and the Bible. [...]
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ROOTED Cafe Music Series Presents: Autumn Hollow
Fri. Nov. 10, 2023    
7:30 pm
Autumn Hollow have played over one hundred shows in some of the best regional venues including The Paradise Rock Club, The Iron Horse Music Hall, [...]
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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Nov. 12, 2023    
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 [...]
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Book Launch: Peter F. Crowley
Sun. Nov. 12, 2023    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Music by Dan Morse will serenade the book launch of Peter F. Crowley's short story collection "That Night and Other Stories" and his poetry book [...]
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Aster's Laboratory
Sun. Nov. 12, 2023    
7:00 pm
A Drag & Burlesque Show & Fundraiser for Palestine Aster R*sk - arguably the most adored drag performer in the greater Boston area with both a [...]
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Home Buying 101: First Time Home Buying
Tue. Nov. 14, 2023    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Set yourself up for success with either of two seminars designed for first time home buyers. Learn how to navigate the local real estate market—whatever [...]
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BB Presents: An Evening with Alison Roman [Sold Out]
Tue. Nov. 14, 2023    
6:30 pm
Alison Roman is a New York-based cook, writer, and author of the New York Times bestselling cookbooks Sweet Enough, Nothing Fancy and Dining In. She [...]
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Red Cross Blood Drive
Wed. Nov. 15, 2023    
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Red Cross’s regular blood drive returns to the Armory. Please consider donating! Schedule your appointment.
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BB Presents: An Evening with Alison Roman [Sold Out]
Wed. Nov. 15, 2023    
6:30 pm
Alison Roman is a New York-based cook, writer, and author of the New York Times bestselling cookbooks Sweet Enough, Nothing Fancy and Dining In. She [...]
More Info
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Nov. 15, 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
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Nov. 15, 2023    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at ROOTED Cafe at 7 PM Daylight savings time, am I right? The nice thing about these long evenings is the [...]
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Pleasure Pie Presents: Sex Salon
Fri. Nov. 17, 2023    
7:00 pm
Join us for a night of very short, very fun presentations about sex, bodies, consent, and much more! Our goal is to bring together all [...]
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Get to the Gig presents: Sting Machine with Raavi
Fri. Nov. 17, 2023    
7:00 pm
The music of String Machine is rapturous and inviting. You’ll find an undeniable magic within each note, a palpable energy owed in part to its [...]
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I-Opener Community Ecstatic Dance
Sun. Nov. 19, 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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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Nov. 19, 2023    
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 [...]
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Guitar Stop All Ages Recital
Sun. Nov. 19, 2023    
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
GuitarStop.com
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Get To The Gig Boston presents: Chase Petra - Carpool Tunnel
Sun. Nov. 19, 2023    
7:00 pm
Chase Petra is a band that exists out of necessity. In other words, within this project, making music is not so much a choice as [...]
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Strummerville Ukulele Club
Wed. Nov. 22, 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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Cafe Raqs
Sat. Nov. 25, 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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Boston Women's Market Day 2
Sun. Nov. 26, 2023    
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
  bostonwomensmarket.com
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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Nov. 26, 2023    
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
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
Tue. Nov. 28, 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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Urban Waggle
Thu. Nov. 30, 2023    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Do you have a great story to share? Urban Waggle is a live storytelling event in support of the mission and programs at the Urban [...]
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ROOTED Cafe Music Series Presents: Miles Wilder
Fri. Dec. 01, 2023    
8:00 pm
Miles Wilder is a Boston-based composer, musician, and multi-instrumental performer. In the studio and on stage, Wilder is creating music that breathes life into film [...]
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Events on Sun. Oct. 29, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents: Fabiola Méndez
29 Oct 23
Adam and Carlos do Half Hours!
29 Oct 23
Events on Mon. Oct. 30, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Events on Tue. Oct. 31, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
ROOTED Armory Cafe Presents: Skele-bration!
31 Oct 23
Events on Wed. Nov. 01, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Songwriters in the Round
1 Nov 23
Songwriters in the Round
1 Nov 23
Events on Thu. Nov. 02, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
BB Presents: Erin French: Big Heart Little Stove [Sold Out]
2 Nov 23
Events on Fri. Nov. 03, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
ROOTED Cafe Music Series Presents: Rachel Sumner
3 Nov 23
Amer Zahr Comedy Show: The Uncivilized Truth
3 Nov 23
Events on Sat. Nov. 04, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Jean Appolon Expressions: Banboche
4 Nov 23
Somerville Songwriter Sessions
4 Nov 23
Events on Sun. Nov. 05, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
5 Nov 23
Community Conversations with the Human Rights Campaign
5 Nov 23
Pool Boy Comedy Presents: Corporate Hell - Live Sketch and Standup Showcase
5 Nov 23
Events on Mon. Nov. 06, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Get To The Gig Boston presents: Walter Etc. & Suzie True
6 Nov 23
Events on Tue. Nov. 07, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
SCES Brown Bag Program
7 Nov 23
Smut Slam
7 Nov 23
Events on Wed. Nov. 08, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Tunefoolery Coffee House
8 Nov 23
The Bowery Presents: SUSTO
8 Nov 23
Events on Thu. Nov. 09, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Pub Sing
9 Nov 23
Events on Fri. Nov. 10, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Jesus in the XXI Century
10 Nov 23
ROOTED Cafe Music Series Presents: Autumn Hollow
10 Nov 23
Events on Sat. Nov. 11, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Events on Sun. Nov. 12, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
12 Nov 23
Book Launch: Peter F. Crowley
12 Nov 23
Aster's Laboratory
12 Nov 23
Events on Mon. Nov. 13, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Events on Tue. Nov. 14, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Home Buying 101: First Time Home Buying
14 Nov 23
BB Presents: An Evening with Alison Roman [Sold Out]
14 Nov 23
Events on Wed. Nov. 15, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Red Cross Blood Drive
15 Nov 23
BB Presents: An Evening with Alison Roman [Sold Out]
15 Nov 23
Songwriters in the Round
15 Nov 23
Songwriters in the Round
15 Nov 23
Events on Thu. Nov. 16, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Events on Fri. Nov. 17, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Pleasure Pie Presents: Sex Salon
17 Nov 23
Get to the Gig presents: Sting Machine with Raavi
17 Nov 23
Events on Sat. Nov. 18, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Events on Sun. Nov. 19, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
I-Opener Community Ecstatic Dance
19 Nov 23
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
19 Nov 23
Guitar Stop All Ages Recital
19 Nov 23
Get To The Gig Boston presents: Chase Petra - Carpool Tunnel
19 Nov 23
Events on Mon. Nov. 20, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Events on Tue. Nov. 21, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Events on Wed. Nov. 22, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Strummerville Ukulele Club
22 Nov 23
Events on Thu. Nov. 23, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Events on Fri. Nov. 24, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Events on Sat. Nov. 25, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Cafe Raqs
25 Nov 23
Events on Sun. Nov. 26, 2023
Jayme Horne Exhibition
23 Oct 23
Boston Women's Market Day 2
26 Nov 23
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
26 Nov 23
Events on Tue. Nov. 28, 2023
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
28 Nov 23
Events on Thu. Nov. 30, 2023
Urban Waggle
30 Nov 23
Events on Fri. Dec. 01, 2023
ROOTED Cafe Music Series Presents: Miles Wilder
1 Dec 23

Upcoming Events

The Center for the Arts at the Armory