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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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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 [...]
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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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Somerville Songwriter Sessions
Sat. Dec. 02, 2023    
7:30 pm
Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe present a live, in-person concert with Rob Siegel, Dann Russo, and Rachel Marie. The evening will begin at 7:30 with an [...]
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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Dec. 03, 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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Evan Palmer Trio
Sun. Dec. 03, 2023    
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Evan Palmer (they/he) is an improviser, bassist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator based in Boston, Massachusetts. They specialize in avant-garde and improvised music. Palmer's music draws [...]
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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Dec. 05, 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. Dec. 05, 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. Dec. 06, 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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Center for Arabic Culture Human Library
Fri. Dec. 08, 2023    
3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
This Event is CANCELLED
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Raynel Shepard Cafe Exhibit Reception
Sat. Dec. 09, 2023    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for a reception with artist Raynel Shepard at ROOTED Cafe. Raynel Shepard is an artist, jazz vocalist, and educator based in Somerville and [...]
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The Wicked Pickers
Sat. Dec. 09, 2023    
7:00 pm
The Wicked Pickers are your spiritual buddies for acoustic folk,  jazz, Celtic, Latin, blues, R&B and soul, with bluegrass instrumentation and even some hints of classical [...]
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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Dec. 10, 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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The Vegan Market
Sun. Dec. 10, 2023    
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Marketplace for vegan makers, bakers, and cooks to convene with their biggest fans from around New England
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Latinx Arts and Crafts Sale
Sun. Dec. 10, 2023    
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The First Latinx Arts and Crafts Sale in Somerville There will be three artists: Trash to Treasure (Conzuelo Perez) ItemsByles (Leslie Apanecatl) Razalas Art (Nelson [...]
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Thinking Out Loud: Teen Poetry Open Mic
Wed. Dec. 13, 2023    
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Share your poetry in front of a supportive audience on the ROOTED stage and receive live feedback from a professional poet! On December 13th, gather [...]
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Khanike Klezmer Spectacular
Wed. Dec. 13, 2023    
6:15 pm
Khanike Klezmer Spectacular featuring Michael Winograd and the Honorable Mentshn with Sasha Lurje. Opening by Ezekiel's Wheels Klezmer Band. Afterparty by Zach Mayer It's a [...]
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Tunefoolery Coffee House
Wed. Dec. 13, 2023    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tunefoolery Music is a non-profit organization for musicians in mental health recovery.
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Brazilian Theater of Boston: E Nasceu Jesus!
Thu. Dec. 14, 2023    
6:00 pm
DOORS 6:00pm SHOW 7:00pm
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Pub Sing
Thu. Dec. 14, 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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BB Presents: Ear Hustle Live! [SOLD OUT]
Fri. Dec. 15, 2023    
7:00 pm
Ear hustle brings you the daily realities of life inside prison shared by those living it, and stories from the outside, post-incarceration. Ear Hustle launched [...]
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Show Me Your Bits Standup & Sketch Show
Fri. Dec. 15, 2023    
8:00 pm
Comedian Jonathan Anderson and his hilarious friends perform their best bits to make you laugh ~ Standup! Music! Sketch! Characters! Drinks! Join us for an [...]
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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Dec. 17, 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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Lakehouse Radio
Sun. Dec. 17, 2023    
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Music. Coffee. Vendors. Games.
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BIDA Contra Dance
Sun. Dec. 17, 2023    
7:00 pm
Details TBA bidadance.org
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Dec. 20, 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
O Come Emmanuel - Hanneke Cassel
Thu. Dec. 21, 2023    
7:00 pm
A Christmas Celebration to benefit International Justice Mission Scottish-American fiddler Hanneke Cassel will team up with Mike Block, Christopher Lewis, Maura Shawn Scanlin, Shannon Jacob [...]
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Pub Sing
Thu. Dec. 21, 2023    
7:00 pm
Join in with chorus songs that are easy to learn and fun to sing
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Cafe Raqs
Sat. Dec. 23, 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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Strummerville Ukulele Club
Wed. Dec. 27, 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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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 [...]
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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 [...]
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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 [...]
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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
Events on Sat. Dec. 02, 2023
Somerville Songwriter Sessions
2 Dec 23
Events on Sun. Dec. 03, 2023
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
3 Dec 23
Evan Palmer Trio
3 Dec 23
Events on Tue. Dec. 05, 2023
SCES Brown Bag Program
5 Dec 23
Smut Slam
5 Dec 23
Events on Wed. Dec. 06, 2023
Songwriters in the Round
6 Dec 23
Events on Fri. Dec. 08, 2023
Center for Arabic Culture Human Library
8 Dec 23
Events on Sat. Dec. 09, 2023
Raynel Shepard Cafe Exhibit Reception
9 Dec 23
The Wicked Pickers
9 Dec 23
Events on Sun. Dec. 10, 2023
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
10 Dec 23
The Vegan Market
10 Dec 23
Latinx Arts and Crafts Sale
10 Dec 23
Events on Wed. Dec. 13, 2023
Thinking Out Loud: Teen Poetry Open Mic
13 Dec 23
Khanike Klezmer Spectacular
13 Dec 23
Tunefoolery Coffee House
13 Dec 23
Events on Thu. Dec. 14, 2023
Brazilian Theater of Boston: E Nasceu Jesus!
14 Dec 23
Pub Sing
14 Dec 23
Events on Fri. Dec. 15, 2023
BB Presents: Ear Hustle Live! [SOLD OUT]
15 Dec 23
Show Me Your Bits Standup & Sketch Show
15 Dec 23
Events on Sun. Dec. 17, 2023
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
17 Dec 23
Lakehouse Radio
17 Dec 23
BIDA Contra Dance
17 Dec 23
Events on Wed. Dec. 20, 2023
Songwriters in the Round
20 Dec 23
Events on Thu. Dec. 21, 2023
O Come Emmanuel - Hanneke Cassel
21 Dec 23
Pub Sing
21 Dec 23
Events on Sat. Dec. 23, 2023
Cafe Raqs
23 Dec 23
Events on Wed. Dec. 27, 2023
Strummerville Ukulele Club
27 Dec 23
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

Upcoming Events

The Center for the Arts at the Armory