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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

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 MetaMovements

December 11, 2026

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

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Red Cross Blood Drive
Mon. Jan. 31, 2022    
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Red Cross’s regular blood drive returns to the Armory on January 31st, 2022 from 11AM to 4PM. Please consider donating!
More Info
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Jan. 31, 2022    
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. Feb. 01, 2022    
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. Feb. 01, 2022    
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
Smut Slam - CANCELLED
Tue. Feb. 01, 2022 - Wed. Feb. 02, 2022    
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
UPDATE: This event on February 1st has been cancelled. What's a SMUT SLAM? I'm so glad you asked! It's a fast-paced storytelling open mic based [...]
More Info
Archery Tag
Wed. Feb. 02, 2022    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Hunger Games meets Dodgeball, Archery Tag® is the exhilarating new sport that's easy to learn and hours of fun.  Adults only, please.  When you arrive [...]
More Info
Fun Spanish English Meetup
Sat. Feb. 05, 2022    
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
HOLA, We are Fun Spanish ( English) on meetup open to all with a variety of social activities. We have different opportunities to learn Spanish [...]
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Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Feb. 07, 2022    
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
Trae Sheehan - CANCELLED
Tue. Feb. 08, 2022    
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Update: this event has been cancelled. If you're a fan of Jackson Browne's voice, Mumford & Son's live energy, and Randy Newman's humor, you won't [...]
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Been Out Here: Teen Open Mic Night
Wed. Feb. 09, 2022    
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, [...]
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Archery Tag
Wed. Feb. 09, 2022    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Hunger Games meets Dodgeball, Archery Tag® is the exhilarating new sport that's easy to learn and hours of fun.  Adults only, please.  When you arrive [...]
More Info
Slowburn Dance: Ours
Fri. Feb. 11, 2022    
8:00 pm
SLOWBURN Dance Company presents Ours, an evening length contemporary dance work choreographed by Artistic Director Meredith Pellon in collaboration with dancers Elise Meiners, Katharine Roché-Sudar, [...]
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Boston Disciples Christian Singles Meetup
Sat. Feb. 12, 2022    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Mask/Vaccine Policy: Effective January 15, 2022, ROOTED Armory Cafe and Farmstand will require proof of vaccination from all patrons who choose to sit in the [...]
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Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Feb. 14, 2022    
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
Archery Tag
Wed. Feb. 16, 2022    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Hunger Games meets Dodgeball, Archery Tag® is the exhilarating new sport that's easy to learn and hours of fun.  Adults only, please.  When you arrive [...]
More Info
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Feb. 21, 2022    
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
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
Tue. Feb. 22, 2022    
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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Strummerville Ukulele Club
Wed. Feb. 23, 2022    
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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Archery Tag
Wed. Feb. 23, 2022    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Hunger Games meets Dodgeball, Archery Tag® is the exhilarating new sport that's easy to learn and hours of fun.  Adults only, please.  When you arrive [...]
More Info
CANCELLED - 2022 NACHMO Performances Day One
Fri. Feb. 25, 2022    
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
This event had been CANCELLED due to inclement weather. Please contact MONKEYHOUSE for more information. NACHMO Boston is proud to share the work of over [...]
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2022 NACHMO Performances Day Two
Sat. Feb. 26, 2022    
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
NACHMO Boston is proud to share the work of over 25 local choreographers for the 2022 NACHMO Boston live performance! In order to keep making [...]
More Info
2022 NACHMO Performances Day Three
Sun. Feb. 27, 2022    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
NACHMO Boston is proud to share the work of over 25 local choreographers for the 2022 NACHMO Boston live performance! In order to keep making [...]
More Info
Winter Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
Mon. Feb. 28, 2022    
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
This class is for pre-teens and teens of all ability and fitness levels and will include instruction in the basic movements and techniques of parkour, [...]
More Info
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Feb. 28, 2022    
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
Winter Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
Mon. Feb. 28, 2022    
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
A class designed for more experienced practitioners that have established a strong physical and technical foundation and are ready to bring their training to the [...]
More Info
SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Mar. 01, 2022    
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
Winter Parkour (Kids Indoor 8-13)
Tue. Mar. 01, 2022    
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
This class is for children of all ability and fitness levels, and will include instruction in the basic movements and techniques of parkour, as well [...]
More Info
Winter Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
Tue. Mar. 01, 2022    
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
A class designed for practitioners with "more life experience" (age 40/50+) that are interested in getting the fitness and agility benefits of parkour training without [...]
More Info
Smut Slam
Tue. Mar. 01, 2022    
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
Smut Slam
Tue. Mar. 01, 2022    
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
It's been a rough couple months, but good news! SMUT SLAM is back! What's a SMUT SLAM? I'm so glad you asked! It's a fast-paced [...]
More Info
Archery Tag
Wed. Mar. 02, 2022    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Hunger Games meets Dodgeball, Archery Tag® is the exhilarating new sport that's easy to learn and hours of fun.  Adults only, please.  When you arrive [...]
More Info
Creative Music Masterclass & Performance with John Dalton
Thu. Mar. 03, 2022    
8:00 pm - 10:30 pm
A night of creative music discussion and performance featuring: Forbes Graham- trumpet Erik Van Dam- Saxophones Jim Robitaille- Guitar John Dalton- Drums This concert is [...]
More Info
Events on Mon. Jan. 31, 2022
Red Cross Blood Drive
31 Jan 22
Queer Tango Boston
31 Jan 22
Events on Tue. Feb. 01, 2022
SCES Brown Bag Program
1 Feb 22
Smut Slam
1 Feb 22
Smut Slam - CANCELLED
1 Feb 22
Events on Wed. Feb. 02, 2022
Smut Slam - CANCELLED
1 Feb 22
Archery Tag
2 Feb 22
Events on Sat. Feb. 05, 2022
Fun Spanish English Meetup
5 Feb 22
Events on Mon. Feb. 07, 2022
Queer Tango Boston
7 Feb 22
Events on Tue. Feb. 08, 2022
Trae Sheehan - CANCELLED
8 Feb 22
Events on Wed. Feb. 09, 2022
Been Out Here: Teen Open Mic Night
9 Feb 22
Archery Tag
9 Feb 22
Events on Fri. Feb. 11, 2022
Slowburn Dance: Ours
11 Feb 22
Events on Sat. Feb. 12, 2022
Boston Disciples Christian Singles Meetup
12 Feb 22
Events on Mon. Feb. 14, 2022
Queer Tango Boston
14 Feb 22
Events on Wed. Feb. 16, 2022
Archery Tag
16 Feb 22
Events on Mon. Feb. 21, 2022
Queer Tango Boston
21 Feb 22
Events on Tue. Feb. 22, 2022
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
22 Feb 22
Events on Wed. Feb. 23, 2022
Strummerville Ukulele Club
23 Feb 22
Archery Tag
23 Feb 22
Events on Fri. Feb. 25, 2022
CANCELLED - 2022 NACHMO Performances Day One
25 Feb 22
Events on Sat. Feb. 26, 2022
2022 NACHMO Performances Day Two
26 Feb 22
Events on Sun. Feb. 27, 2022
2022 NACHMO Performances Day Three
27 Feb 22
Events on Mon. Feb. 28, 2022
Winter Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
28 Feb 22
Queer Tango Boston
28 Feb 22
Winter Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
28 Feb 22
Events on Tue. Mar. 01, 2022
SCES Brown Bag Program
1 Mar 22
Winter Parkour (Kids Indoor 8-13)
1 Mar 22
Winter Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
1 Mar 22
Smut Slam
1 Mar 22
Smut Slam
1 Mar 22
Events on Wed. Mar. 02, 2022
Archery Tag
2 Mar 22
Events on Thu. Mar. 03, 2022
Creative Music Masterclass & Performance with John Dalton
3 Mar 22

Upcoming Events

The Center for the Arts at the Armory