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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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The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
Tue. Mar. 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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POP Performance: Louise Bichan: Music and Stories from Scotland
Wed. Mar. 29, 2023    
6:30 pm
Wednesday the 29th March 2023, 7pm (6.30pm doors) Louise Bichan with Conor Hearn (guitar), Brendan Hearn (cello) and Ethan Setiawan (mandolins) live at the Arts [...]
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There's No "I" in Improv
Wed. Mar. 29, 2023    
7:00 pm
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Kali Stoddard-Imari
Thu. Mar. 30, 2023    
7:30 pm
Suggested admission: $10 Kali Stoddard-Imari is a Boston based singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and Looping Artist. He has been placed in front of acts like Adam [...]
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Eventual Cabaret
Fri. Mar. 31, 2023    
7:30 pm
Eventual Dance Company is proud to present Eventual Cabaret, an evening of dance and music created by the musicians and dancers of our company to [...]
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Launch Party for Best of Timothy Gager
Sat. Apr. 01, 2023    
4:00 pm
Number One Bestselling Author, Timothy Gager has published 18 books of fiction and poetry, which includes his latest novel, Joe the Salamander. He hosted the [...]
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Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents John Scofield Solo Guitar
Sat. Apr. 01, 2023    
7:00 pm
Three-time Grammy Award winner John Scofield, a jazz innovator who has collaborated with Miles Davis and Chet Baker, comes to Arts at the Armory’s Spotlight [...]
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Somerville Songwriter Sessions
Sat. Apr. 01, 2023    
7:30 pm
The Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe present a live, in-person concert with singer/songwriters Adam Rothberg, Phil Berman (of Phil and the Flying Leap) [...]
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BB Presents: What We Said Live: The Valley Girl Tour
Sun. Apr. 02, 2023    
7:00 pm
Sunday April 2nd, 2023 @ 7pm To purchase tickets, please click here.
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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Apr. 04, 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. Apr. 04, 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. Apr. 05, 2023    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at ROOTED Cafe at 7 PM Songwriters in the Round at the Center for Arts at the Armory has an important milestone to celebrate. [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Apr. 05, 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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BB Presents: The Happiness Lab Live with Dr. Laurie Santos
Thu. Apr. 06, 2023    
7:30 pm
Join Yale happiness expert Dr. Laurie Santos for a live recording of her hit podcast The Happiness Lab where she will share the latest science-backed [...]
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goodTHANGpassing
Fri. Apr. 07, 2023    
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
what?  dance, music, poetry when?   Friday, April 7th, from 10 am till 3 pm where?    daytime event at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143 how much?   both free For [...]
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Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents: Ryan Montbleau Band [SOLD OUT]
Fri. Apr. 14, 2023    
7:00 pm
This Spotlight Series concert is sold out. The concert is standing room with seating on the mezzanine. Arts at the Armory welcomes the Ryan Montbleau [...]
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Brad Casler Exhibition Opening Reception
Sat. Apr. 15, 2023    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
We would like to invite you to Brad Casler's exhibition at Armory ROOTED Café between March 20th - April 29th! Join us for a reception [...]
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The Aht Depahtment Presents: Art & Music Festival
Sat. Apr. 15, 2023    
4:00 pm - 11:00 pm
The Aht Depahtment Presents: Art & Music Festival is a day of local food, music, artists, and more! Join us from 4PM - 11PM to [...]
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Mark Lipman at the Rooted Cafe
Sat. Apr. 15, 2023    
7:00 pm
Mark Lipman performs an acoustic set at this intimate venue. Come ease your tax day woes and lift your spirits! To purchase tickets, please click [...]
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First and Last Word Poetry
Tue. Apr. 18, 2023    
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Doors 6:30 pm. Third Tuesday of every month, with different featured poets each time, and a chance to read your own work during the open-mic section [...]
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[CANCELED] First and Last Word Poetry
Tue. Apr. 18, 2023    
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
4/5/23 Update: First and Last Word Poetry is canceled for April 18. Join us next month! Doors 6:30 pm. Third Tuesday of every month, with different [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Apr. 19, 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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Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
Thu. Apr. 20, 2023    
7:30 pm
Atomic Comedy at The Armory Cafe An independently-produced, monthly improv show featuring new and veteran local talent. Come see what’s blowing up! 7:30-9:30pm Reserve tickets [...]
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Bread & Puppet Theater: Inflammatory Earthling Rant (with help from Kropotkin)
Fri. Apr. 21, 2023    
8:00 pm
Earthlings are now aflame and consequently need inflammatory rants, directed against the arsonist: Western Civilization and its incompetent government. The habitual pragmatic communication jargon won’t [...]
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Brittany Karlson, Forbes Graham, Francisco Mela, Miranda Agnew: Free Jazz/Free Form at the Cafe
Fri. Apr. 21, 2023    
8:00 pm
Who: Brittany Karlson, bass, the leader Forbes Graham, trumpet Francisco Mela, drums Miranda Agnew, trumpet Adventurous excursions by who’s who (Forbes. Graham, Francisco. Mela), a [...]
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End-Of-Program Celebration: MIDDAY’s BIPOC Professional Dancer Mentorship Program
Sat. Apr. 22, 2023    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Since September 2022, Midday Movement Series has hosted our pilot BIPOC Professional Dancer Mentorship Program, a program supporting early-career dance artists of color through resources [...]
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Cafe Raqs
Sat. Apr. 22, 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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Esh Circus Arts Spring Student Show
Sat. Apr. 22, 2023    
7:30 pm
To purchase tickets, please click here. Esh Circus Arts Spring Student Show Doors at 7pm Show 7:30pm
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Plant Parent Swap and Shop
Sun. Apr. 23, 2023    
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
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The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
Tue. Apr. 25, 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 [...]
More Info
Revive City Church Monthly Meeting
Tue. Apr. 25, 2023    
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Event details TBA.
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Strummerville Ukulele Club
Wed. Apr. 26, 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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This Love Unbound
Sat. Apr. 29, 2023    
7:30 pm
This Love Unbound Britten | Harbison | Shaw In collaboration with Urbanity Dance Directed and Choreographed by Shura Baryshnikov April 29, 2023 at 7.30pm April [...]
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This Love Unbound
Sun. Apr. 30, 2023    
3:00 pm
This Love Unbound Britten | Harbison | Shaw In collaboration with Urbanity Dance Directed and Choreographed by Shura Baryshnikov April 29, 2023 at 7.30pm April [...]
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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. May. 02, 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
More Info
Smut Slam
Tue. May. 02, 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 [...]
More Info
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. May. 03, 2023    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at ROOTED Cafe at 7 PM It’s supposed to be kind of drizzly next week. May showers bring…. what exactly? Let’s [...]
More Info
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. May. 03, 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
Corey Hall's Senior Recital
Wed. May. 03, 2023    
7:00 pm
Culminating the formal education phase of his musical journey, Foxborough native Corey Hall is finishing his tenure at Berklee College of Music with his Senior [...]
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Café Flamenco
Thu. May. 04, 2023    
5:00 pm
Flamenco ART Family Night Laura Sánchez Flamenco presents Flamenco Art Family Night. An evening full of dance, art and special surprises. This event is part [...]
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Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents David Wax Museum
Thu. May. 04, 2023    
7:00 pm
Indie folk husband-wife duo bring their eclectic "Mexo-Americana" band to Somerville, MA! David Wax and Suz Slezak of David Wax Museum are touring with their [...]
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Devoted Dynasty Entertainment 1st Annual Fundraiser Gala
Fri. May. 05, 2023    
7:30 pm
To purchase tickets, please click here.
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Events on Tue. Mar. 28, 2023
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
28 Mar 23
Events on Wed. Mar. 29, 2023
POP Performance: Louise Bichan: Music and Stories from Scotland
29 Mar 23
There's No "I" in Improv
29 Mar 23
Events on Thu. Mar. 30, 2023
Kali Stoddard-Imari
30 Mar 23
Events on Fri. Mar. 31, 2023
Eventual Cabaret
31 Mar 23
Events on Sat. Apr. 01, 2023
Launch Party for Best of Timothy Gager
1 Apr 23
Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents John Scofield Solo Guitar
1 Apr 23
Somerville Songwriter Sessions
1 Apr 23
Events on Sun. Apr. 02, 2023
BB Presents: What We Said Live: The Valley Girl Tour
2 Apr 23
Events on Tue. Apr. 04, 2023
SCES Brown Bag Program
4 Apr 23
Smut Slam
4 Apr 23
Events on Wed. Apr. 05, 2023
Songwriters in the Round
5 Apr 23
Songwriters in the Round
5 Apr 23
Events on Thu. Apr. 06, 2023
BB Presents: The Happiness Lab Live with Dr. Laurie Santos
6 Apr 23
Events on Fri. Apr. 07, 2023
goodTHANGpassing
7 Apr 23
Events on Fri. Apr. 14, 2023
Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents: Ryan Montbleau Band [SOLD OUT]
14 Apr 23
Events on Sat. Apr. 15, 2023
Brad Casler Exhibition Opening Reception
15 Apr 23
The Aht Depahtment Presents: Art & Music Festival
15 Apr 23
Mark Lipman at the Rooted Cafe
15 Apr 23
Events on Tue. Apr. 18, 2023
First and Last Word Poetry
18 Apr 23
[CANCELED] First and Last Word Poetry
18 Apr 23
Events on Wed. Apr. 19, 2023
Songwriters in the Round
19 Apr 23
Events on Thu. Apr. 20, 2023
Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
20 Apr 23
Events on Fri. Apr. 21, 2023
Bread & Puppet Theater: Inflammatory Earthling Rant (with help from Kropotkin)
21 Apr 23
Brittany Karlson, Forbes Graham, Francisco Mela, Miranda Agnew: Free Jazz/Free Form at the Cafe
21 Apr 23
Events on Sat. Apr. 22, 2023
End-Of-Program Celebration: MIDDAY’s BIPOC Professional Dancer Mentorship Program
22 Apr 23
Cafe Raqs
22 Apr 23
Esh Circus Arts Spring Student Show
22 Apr 23
Events on Sun. Apr. 23, 2023
Plant Parent Swap and Shop
23 Apr 23
Events on Tue. Apr. 25, 2023
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
25 Apr 23
Revive City Church Monthly Meeting
25 Apr 23
Events on Wed. Apr. 26, 2023
Strummerville Ukulele Club
26 Apr 23
Events on Sat. Apr. 29, 2023
This Love Unbound
29 Apr 23
Events on Sun. Apr. 30, 2023
This Love Unbound
30 Apr 23
Events on Tue. May. 02, 2023
SCES Brown Bag Program
2 May 23
Smut Slam
2 May 23
Events on Wed. May. 03, 2023
Songwriters in the Round
3 May 23
Songwriters in the Round
3 May 23
Corey Hall's Senior Recital
3 May 23
Events on Thu. May. 04, 2023
Café Flamenco
4 May 23
Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents David Wax Museum
4 May 23
Events on Fri. May. 05, 2023
Devoted Dynasty Entertainment 1st Annual Fundraiser Gala
5 May 23

Upcoming Events

The Center for the Arts at the Armory