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

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 MetaMovements

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
28
29
30
1
7:00 PM - Open Armory
2
3
4
5
6
7
7:30 PM - Smut Slam
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
10:00 AM - Rick and Friends
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
Somerville Flea Market
Sun. Nov. 28, 2021    
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Two jam-packed floors of gift giving ideas that you won't find anywhere else! Vintage and artisan wares along with DJ, cafe and bar. Try to [...]
More Info
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Nov. 29, 2021    
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join queer folk and their allies for Monday night tango classes with Boston Tango teachers! Learn the social dance connecting queers around the world! No [...]
More Info
Open Armory
Wed. Dec. 01, 2021    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Open Armory is your chance to tap into beauty. Bring your talent, be it music, comedy, storytelling, or hula hooping. All are welcome at the [...]
More Info
Karen Bella / Kaylee Fredermann / Todd Trusty / Amy Kucharik
Fri. Dec. 03, 2021    
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Come on out for an amazing night of music at Arts at the Armory! This is a FREE show but please feel free to bring [...]
More Info
Somerville Flea Market
Sun. Dec. 05, 2021    
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Two jam-packed floors of gift giving ideas that you won't find anywhere else! Vintage and artisan wares along with DJ, cafe and bar. Try to [...]
More Info
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Dec. 06, 2021    
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join queer folk and their allies for Monday night tango classes with Boston Tango teachers! Learn the social dance connecting queers around the world! No [...]
More Info
SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Dec. 07, 2021    
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. Dec. 07, 2021    
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
Been Out Here: Teen Open Mic Night
Wed. Dec. 08, 2021    
6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
The Been Out Here Teen Open Mic is holding it down at the Armory every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Bring your poems, your verses, [...]
More Info
Voorhees x Vitale ft. Alex Cumming & Audrey Knuth
Thu. Dec. 09, 2021    
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Join us in the Cafe for a FREE show! Info below. Voorhees × Vitale is Gus Voorhees (button accordion) and Michael Vitale (fiddle). They perform [...]
More Info
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Dec. 13, 2021    
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join queer folk and their allies for Monday night tango classes with Boston Tango teachers! Learn the social dance connecting queers around the world! No [...]
More Info
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Dec. 13, 2021    
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join us for weekly queer tango classes. Please see below for schedule! Monday, Oct: 11 (Indigenous Peoples Day): Practica, 6:30 – 8:30 All welcome Suggested [...]
More Info
Rick and Friends
Sat. Dec. 18, 2021    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Jazz vocalist (and flute player) Rick Silberg holds a weekly residency in the Armory Cafe.   Stop by throughout the morning; a varied line-up will play [...]
More Info
Artist's Reception and Holiday Party at the Armory
Sat. Dec. 18, 2021    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Artist's Reception and Holiday Party at the Armory Gallery talk and holiday party hosted by the curator of the café, Hank Fay this Saturday, December [...]
More Info
Hey Siri Holiday Party
Sat. Dec. 18, 2021    
6:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Hey Siri is hosting a Christmas Party this Saturday, December 18th 6-10:30PM. There will be food, drinks, a DJ, and dancing! This is a free [...]
More Info
Somerville Flea Market
Sun. Dec. 19, 2021    
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Two jam-packed floors of gift giving ideas that you won't find anywhere else! Vintage and artisan wares along with DJ, cafe and bar. Try to [...]
More Info
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Dec. 20, 2021    
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join queer folk and their allies for Monday night tango classes with Boston Tango teachers! Learn the social dance connecting queers around the world! No [...]
More Info
Strummerville Ukulele Club
Wed. Dec. 22, 2021    
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
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Dec. 27, 2021    
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join queer folk and their allies for Monday night tango classes with Boston Tango teachers! Learn the social dance connecting queers around the world! No [...]
More Info
Events on Sun. Nov. 28, 2021
Somerville Flea Market
28 Nov 21
Events on Mon. Nov. 29, 2021
Queer Tango Boston
29 Nov 21
Events on Wed. Dec. 01, 2021
Open Armory
1 Dec 21
Events on Fri. Dec. 03, 2021
Karen Bella / Kaylee Fredermann / Todd Trusty / Amy Kucharik
3 Dec 21
Events on Sun. Dec. 05, 2021
Somerville Flea Market
5 Dec 21
Events on Mon. Dec. 06, 2021
Queer Tango Boston
6 Dec 21
Events on Tue. Dec. 07, 2021
SCES Brown Bag Program
7 Dec 21
Smut Slam
7 Dec 21
Events on Wed. Dec. 08, 2021
Been Out Here: Teen Open Mic Night
8 Dec 21
Events on Thu. Dec. 09, 2021
Voorhees x Vitale ft. Alex Cumming & Audrey Knuth
9 Dec 21
Events on Mon. Dec. 13, 2021
Queer Tango Boston
13 Dec 21
Queer Tango Boston
13 Dec 21
Events on Sat. Dec. 18, 2021
Rick and Friends
18 Dec 21
Artist's Reception and Holiday Party at the Armory
18 Dec 21
Hey Siri Holiday Party
18 Dec 21
Events on Sun. Dec. 19, 2021
Somerville Flea Market
19 Dec 21
Events on Mon. Dec. 20, 2021
Queer Tango Boston
20 Dec 21
Events on Wed. Dec. 22, 2021
Strummerville Ukulele Club
22 Dec 21
Events on Mon. Dec. 27, 2021
Queer Tango Boston
27 Dec 21

Upcoming Events

The Center for the Arts at the Armory