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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 MetMovements

December 11, 2026

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

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Somerville Open Studios 2022
Sat. Apr. 30, 2022 - Sun. May. 01, 2022    
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Somerville Open Studios welcomes the public into our creative spaces to witness art and it's creation. This year's theme is SPACE. SPACE – What started [...]
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Community Music at Tufts
Mon. May. 02, 2022    
2:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Announcing a seven-week session of Community Music at Tufts! These three classes will be offered on Monday afternoons from April 4 – May 23 (no [...]
More Info
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
Mon. May. 02, 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
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
Mon. May. 02, 2022    
6:00 pm - 7:00 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
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
Mon. May. 02, 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
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. May. 02, 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 [...]
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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. May. 03, 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
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Smut Slam
Tue. May. 03, 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 [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. May. 04, 2022    
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. May. 04, 2022    
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
Mindfulness and Meditation at the Armory
Thu. May. 05, 2022    
5:00 pm
Reconnect to yourself and the world around you. Let the layers of anxiety and tension wash away while awakening your sense of joy, connection, and [...]
More Info
The Matt Estabrook Band and LIZJE
Thu. May. 05, 2022    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
In the mood for some Suavecito? Some Jazz? Some Indie Rock? We've got you covered! Join us for a musical evening with two of Boston's [...]
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Prezans e Rezilyans Exhibition Opening with HAAM
Fri. May. 06, 2022    
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
ROOTED Armory Cafe will be hosting an opening reception from 6pm - 7:30pm for an exhibition entitled Prezans e Rezilyans (Presence and Resilience), featuring the [...]
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Lakou Mizik from Haiti
Fri. May. 06, 2022    
7:00 pm
Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series presents Lakou Mizik from Haiti as part of their U.S. tour on May 6, 2022 in the Armory Performance [...]
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Al-Taqaseem Music Workshop with Basel Zayed
Sat. May. 07, 2022    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Al-Taqaseem Music Workshop with Musician and Composer Basel Zayed "The Art of Arabic and Middle Eastern Melodic Free Improvisation" All instrumentalists and singers are welcome, [...]
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Somerville Songwriter Sessions
Sat. May. 07, 2022    
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
The Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe presents a live, in-person concert with NYC singer/songwriter David Massengill and Boston singer/songwriters Jim Infantino and Terry [...]
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Made in Brazil: Fashion Show
Sat. May. 07, 2022    
8:00 pm - 10:30 pm
For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here.
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Grace and Virtuosity
Sun. May. 08, 2022    
3:00 pm
The Fermata Chamber Soloists presents two classical concertos: the Stamitz Viola Concerto, and Le Chevalier de St-Georges Violin Concerto Op. 5 No. 2. Both neglected [...]
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Community Music at Tufts
Mon. May. 09, 2022    
2:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Announcing a seven-week session of Community Music at Tufts! These three classes will be offered on Monday afternoons from April 4 – May 23 (no [...]
More Info
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
Mon. May. 09, 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
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
Mon. May. 09, 2022    
6:00 pm - 7:00 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
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
Mon. May. 09, 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
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. May. 09, 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
Been Out Here: Teen Open Mic Night
Wed. May. 11, 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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Mindfulness and Meditation at the Armory
Thu. May. 12, 2022    
5:00 pm
Reconnect to yourself and the world around you. Let the layers of anxiety and tension wash away while awakening your sense of joy, connection, and [...]
More Info
Amy Dancz Voice Studio Open Mic
Fri. May. 13, 2022    
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Doors open at 7:10PM.
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Alive Dance Collective Presents: Bloom
Sat. May. 14, 2022    
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
For more information about this event, please click here. COVID policy: Effective March 5th, 2022, the Center for Arts at the Armory will no longer [...]
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Alive Dance Collective Presents: Bloom
Sun. May. 15, 2022    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
For more information about this event, please click here. COVID policy: Effective March 5th, 2022, the Center for Arts at the Armory will no longer [...]
More Info
Community Music at Tufts
Mon. May. 16, 2022    
2:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Announcing a seven-week session of Community Music at Tufts! These three classes will be offered on Monday afternoons from April 4 – May 23 (no [...]
More Info
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
Mon. May. 16, 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
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
Mon. May. 16, 2022    
6:00 pm - 7:00 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
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
Mon. May. 16, 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
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. May. 16, 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
First and Last Word Poetry
Tue. May. 17, 2022    
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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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. May. 18, 2022    
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. May. 18, 2022    
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
Mindfulness and Meditation at the Armory
Thu. May. 19, 2022    
5:00 pm
Reconnect to yourself and the world around you. Let the layers of anxiety and tension wash away while awakening your sense of joy, connection, and [...]
More Info
Boston Security Meetup (Hybrid)
Thu. May. 19, 2022    
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Boston area has one of the most diverse information security ecosystems in the world. Over the past several years our local community has been [...]
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A Night in Bloom Gala 2022
Fri. May. 20, 2022    
6:00 pm
VIP, General Admission and Virtual Tickets are now on sale for “A Night in Bloom,” Arts at the Armory’s 2022 Gala. Click here to purchase tickets. A Night [...]
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Bonston8Bit Presents: Bon Voyage, Sam Mulligan!
Sat. May. 21, 2022    
6:00 pm
For more information, please visit the Facebook page here.
More Info
Community Music at Tufts
Mon. May. 23, 2022    
2:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Announcing a seven-week session of Community Music at Tufts! These three classes will be offered on Monday afternoons from April 4 – May 23 (no [...]
More Info
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
Mon. May. 23, 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
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
Mon. May. 23, 2022    
6:00 pm - 7:00 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
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
Mon. May. 23, 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
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. May. 23, 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. May. 24, 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. May. 25, 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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Mindfulness and Meditation at the Armory
Thu. May. 26, 2022    
5:00 pm
Reconnect to yourself and the world around you. Let the layers of anxiety and tension wash away while awakening your sense of joy, connection, and [...]
More Info
This is Not That Dawn Orchestral Workshop: Omar Najmi
Fri. May. 27, 2022    
7:30 pm
Be the first to hear Omar Najmi's breathtaking new opera about the Partition of India in 1947 and its lasting impacts decades later. To purchase [...]
More Info
Lady Ray and Her Jazz Birds
Sat. May. 28, 2022    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
More Info
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
Mon. May. 30, 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
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
Mon. May. 30, 2022    
6:00 pm - 7:00 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
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
Mon. May. 30, 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
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. May. 30, 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
POP Presents Somerville Arts Council's Art Assembled AiR Program Artist Performances: Caitlin Canty | Catherine Siller | Jessica Roseman
Tue. May. 31, 2022    
7:00 pm
Announcing Performances of the Somerville Arts Council's Art Assembled AiR Program! These artists have been hard at work in the studios to bring you in-progress [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jun. 01, 2022    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at ROOTED Cafe at 7 PM Wednesday, June 1 brings a special Songwriters in the Round night to the Rooted Café. [...]
More Info
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jun. 01, 2022    
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
The Boston New Music Initiative Presents: Literary Elements
Fri. Jun. 03, 2022    
8:00 pm
For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here.    
More Info
Events on Sun. May. 01, 2022
Somerville Open Studios 2022
30 Apr 22
Events on Mon. May. 02, 2022
Community Music at Tufts
2 May 22
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
2 May 22
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
2 May 22
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
2 May 22
Queer Tango Boston
2 May 22
Events on Tue. May. 03, 2022
SCES Brown Bag Program
3 May 22
Smut Slam
3 May 22
Events on Wed. May. 04, 2022
Songwriters in the Round
4 May 22
Songwriters in the Round
4 May 22
Events on Thu. May. 05, 2022
Mindfulness and Meditation at the Armory
5 May 22
The Matt Estabrook Band and LIZJE
5 May 22
Events on Fri. May. 06, 2022
Prezans e Rezilyans Exhibition Opening with HAAM
6 May 22
Lakou Mizik from Haiti
6 May 22
Events on Sat. May. 07, 2022
Al-Taqaseem Music Workshop with Basel Zayed
7 May 22
Somerville Songwriter Sessions
7 May 22
Made in Brazil: Fashion Show
7 May 22
Events on Sun. May. 08, 2022
Grace and Virtuosity
8 May 22
Events on Mon. May. 09, 2022
Community Music at Tufts
9 May 22
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
9 May 22
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
9 May 22
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
9 May 22
Queer Tango Boston
9 May 22
Events on Wed. May. 11, 2022
Been Out Here: Teen Open Mic Night
11 May 22
Events on Thu. May. 12, 2022
Mindfulness and Meditation at the Armory
12 May 22
Events on Fri. May. 13, 2022
Amy Dancz Voice Studio Open Mic
13 May 22
Events on Sat. May. 14, 2022
Alive Dance Collective Presents: Bloom
14 May 22
Events on Sun. May. 15, 2022
Alive Dance Collective Presents: Bloom
15 May 22
Events on Mon. May. 16, 2022
Community Music at Tufts
16 May 22
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
16 May 22
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
16 May 22
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
16 May 22
Queer Tango Boston
16 May 22
Events on Tue. May. 17, 2022
First and Last Word Poetry
17 May 22
Events on Wed. May. 18, 2022
Songwriters in the Round
18 May 22
Songwriters in the Round
18 May 22
Events on Thu. May. 19, 2022
Mindfulness and Meditation at the Armory
19 May 22
Boston Security Meetup (Hybrid)
19 May 22
Events on Fri. May. 20, 2022
A Night in Bloom Gala 2022
20 May 22
Events on Sat. May. 21, 2022
Bonston8Bit Presents: Bon Voyage, Sam Mulligan!
21 May 22
Events on Mon. May. 23, 2022
Community Music at Tufts
23 May 22
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
23 May 22
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
23 May 22
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
23 May 22
Queer Tango Boston
23 May 22
Events on Tue. May. 24, 2022
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
24 May 22
Events on Wed. May. 25, 2022
Strummerville Ukulele Club
25 May 22
Events on Thu. May. 26, 2022
Mindfulness and Meditation at the Armory
26 May 22
Events on Fri. May. 27, 2022
This is Not That Dawn Orchestral Workshop: Omar Najmi
27 May 22
Events on Sat. May. 28, 2022
Lady Ray and Her Jazz Birds
28 May 22
Events on Mon. May. 30, 2022
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
30 May 22
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
30 May 22
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
30 May 22
Queer Tango Boston
30 May 22
Events on Tue. May. 31, 2022
POP Presents Somerville Arts Council's Art Assembled AiR Program Artist Performances: Caitlin Canty | Catherine Siller | Jessica Roseman
31 May 22
Events on Wed. Jun. 01, 2022
Songwriters in the Round
1 Jun 22
Songwriters in the Round
1 Jun 22
Events on Fri. Jun. 03, 2022
The Boston New Music Initiative Presents: Literary Elements
3 Jun 22

Upcoming Events

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