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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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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
Sun. Jan. 28, 2024    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
ROOTED Armory Café is the place to be with our new SUNDAY BRUNCH! French toast, pancakes, frittata, pulled pork tacos, mimosas, espresso drinks and much [...]
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School of Watertown – Fall '23 Season Show #2
Sun. Jan. 28, 2024    
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
School of Rock Watertown is back for our Fall '23 Season Shows, featuring student performances in a wide range of contemporary genres including classic rock, [...]
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Michael Talbot Cafe Exhibit Reception
Sat. Feb. 03, 2024    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for a reception with artist Michael Talbot at ROOTED Cafe. Growing up in Jamaica, Michael had always had a strong desire to inspire [...]
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Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents Peter Mulvey with Lyle Brewer
Sat. Feb. 03, 2024    
7:00 pm
Arts at the Armory's Spotlight Series is thrilled to bring Peter Mulvey to our historic stage with Lyle Brewer as the tour opener. Peter Mulvey [...]
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Somerville Songwriter Sessions
Sat. Feb. 03, 2024    
7:30 pm
Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe present a live, in-person concert with Alex Fam, Tom Smith, and Jack Byrne. The evening will begin at [...]
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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch February
Sun. Feb. 04, 2024    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
ROOTED Armory Café is the place to be for SUNDAY BRUNCH in February! French toast, pancakes, frittata, pulled pork tacos, mimosas, espresso drinks and much [...]
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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Feb. 06, 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
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Smut Slam
Tue. Feb. 06, 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 [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Feb. 07, 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, [...]
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Pub Sing
Thu. Feb. 08, 2024    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Join in with chorus songs that are easy to learn and fun to sing
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Shaque D'Aster: A LoveS*CK Drag Show
Sat. Feb. 10, 2024    
7:00 pm
Join Aster and friends for an evening of drag! Pay what you can $5 - $25! 7PM Doors 8PM Show 18+ to Enter 21+ to [...]
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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch February
Sun. Feb. 11, 2024    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
ROOTED Armory Café is the place to be for SUNDAY BRUNCH in February! French toast, pancakes, frittata, pulled pork tacos, mimosas, espresso drinks and much [...]
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Paper Crafts: Community Art
Sun. Feb. 11, 2024    
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Laura Sanchez Flamenco Presents: Paper Crafts: Community Art to Support Mothers Join us on Feb 11th at Arts at the Armory, in Somerville, to move [...]
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Boston Orchestra Book Club Presents: Homeland Rivers
Sun. Feb. 11, 2024    
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Join us for a discussion and performance of music by Smetana and Price, whose flowing melodies invoke the rivers central to their homelands. Get tickets [...]
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Tunefoolery Coffee House
Wed. Feb. 14, 2024    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tunefoolery Music is a non-profit organization for musicians in mental health recovery.
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Green New Deal for Somerville Public Schools Town Hall
Thu. Feb. 15, 2024    
12:00 am
Details TBA
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Get To the Gig Presents: Sumac
Fri. Feb. 16, 2024    
7:00 pm
Sumac with Scarcity and Forbes Graham Get tickets now! Doors open at 7:00PM. Show begins at 8:00PM. Sumac is an American/Canadian post-metal supergroup that formed [...]
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Show Me Your Bits Standup & Sketch Show
Fri. Feb. 16, 2024    
8:00 pm
I make my comedy friends show me their bits and I got follow up questions! Standup! Characters! Sketch! Rhett! Alcohol! Come! Exclamations! Comedian Jonathan Anderson [...]
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WCOW Open Mic
Sat. Feb. 17, 2024    
7:00 pm
Details TBA
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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch February
Sun. Feb. 18, 2024    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
ROOTED Armory Café is the place to be for SUNDAY BRUNCH in February! French toast, pancakes, frittata, pulled pork tacos, mimosas, espresso drinks and much [...]
More Info
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Feb. 21, 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
i Sebastiani presents “Constant Love”
Fri. Feb. 23, 2024    
7:30 pm
Come celebrate International Commedia dell'Arte Day with i Sebastiani! Ten years ago, tragedy struck two families whose lives became intertwined. All this time later, can [...]
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Cafe Raqs
Sat. Feb. 24, 2024    
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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ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch February
Sun. Feb. 25, 2024    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
ROOTED Armory Café is the place to be for SUNDAY BRUNCH in February! French toast, pancakes, frittata, pulled pork tacos, mimosas, espresso drinks and much [...]
More Info
i Sebastiani presents “Constant Love”
Sun. Feb. 25, 2024    
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Come celebrate International Commedia dell'Arte Day with i Sebastiani! Ten years ago, tragedy struck two families whose lives became intertwined. All this time later, can [...]
More Info
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
Tue. Feb. 27, 2024    
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. 28, 2024    
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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Events on Sun. Jan. 28, 2024
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch
28 Jan 24
School of Watertown – Fall '23 Season Show #2
28 Jan 24
Events on Sat. Feb. 03, 2024
Michael Talbot Cafe Exhibit Reception
3 Feb 24
Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents Peter Mulvey with Lyle Brewer
3 Feb 24
Somerville Songwriter Sessions
3 Feb 24
Events on Sun. Feb. 04, 2024
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch February
4 Feb 24
Events on Tue. Feb. 06, 2024
SCES Brown Bag Program
6 Feb 24
Smut Slam
6 Feb 24
Events on Wed. Feb. 07, 2024
Songwriters in the Round
7 Feb 24
Events on Thu. Feb. 08, 2024
Pub Sing
8 Feb 24
Events on Sat. Feb. 10, 2024
Shaque D'Aster: A LoveS*CK Drag Show
10 Feb 24
Events on Sun. Feb. 11, 2024
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch February
11 Feb 24
Paper Crafts: Community Art
11 Feb 24
Boston Orchestra Book Club Presents: Homeland Rivers
11 Feb 24
Events on Wed. Feb. 14, 2024
Tunefoolery Coffee House
14 Feb 24
Events on Thu. Feb. 15, 2024
Green New Deal for Somerville Public Schools Town Hall
15 Feb 24
Events on Fri. Feb. 16, 2024
Get To the Gig Presents: Sumac
16 Feb 24
Show Me Your Bits Standup & Sketch Show
16 Feb 24
Events on Sat. Feb. 17, 2024
WCOW Open Mic
17 Feb 24
Events on Sun. Feb. 18, 2024
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch February
18 Feb 24
Events on Wed. Feb. 21, 2024
Songwriters in the Round
21 Feb 24
Events on Fri. Feb. 23, 2024
i Sebastiani presents “Constant Love”
23 Feb 24
Events on Sat. Feb. 24, 2024
Cafe Raqs
24 Feb 24
Events on Sun. Feb. 25, 2024
ROOTED Café Sunday Brunch February
25 Feb 24
i Sebastiani presents “Constant Love”
25 Feb 24
Events on Tue. Feb. 27, 2024
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
27 Feb 24
Events on Wed. Feb. 28, 2024
Strummerville Ukulele Club
28 Feb 24

Upcoming Events

The Center for the Arts at the Armory