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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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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
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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 [...]
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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 [...]
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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, [...]
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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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SOMERVILLE OPEN STUDIOS 2023
Sat. May. 06, 2023 - Sun. May. 07, 2023    
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Somerville Open Studios 2023 will take place Saturday + Sunday, May 6-7, 2023, from 12-6 pm each day. To prepare for the event, view or download a [...]
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The Spring Hill Quartet
Sat. May. 06, 2023    
2:00 pm
Sylvia Lustig (violin), Lauren Hawkes (violin), Sam Duncan (viola), and Eric Hochwald (cello) met when they were undergraduates playing in the Tufts Symphony Orchestra and [...]
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Somerville Songwriter Sessions
Sat. May. 06, 2023    
7:30 pm
The Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe present a live, in-person concert with singer/songwriters Beth DeSombre, Phil Henry and Steve Allain. The concert will feature [...]
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Tunefoolery Coffee House
Wed. May. 10, 2023    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tunefoolery Music is a non-profit organization for musicians in mental health recovery.
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Tunefoolery Coffee House
Wed. May. 10, 2023    
7:00 pm
Monthly Coffee House with Open Mike for the mental health recovery community and the general public, as well.
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Inauguration Ceremony of Little Library & Zine Stand
Thu. May. 11, 2023    
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Join us on May 11th at 5:30pm until 6pm for an Inauguration Ceremony for a Little Library to be installed by Arts at the Armory [...]
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Armory Gala: A Night in Bloom
Thu. May. 11, 2023    
6:00 pm
A Night in Bloom will showcase Arts at the Armory as a vital home for the arts in Somerville through compelling performances, recognition of cultural honorees, [...]
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After School Snacks Comedy Presents: The Crossfade
Fri. May. 12, 2023    
8:00 pm - 11:30 pm
DRUNK VS. HIGH! Hilarious improv groups perform under the influence  to answer the age old question: Are you funnier when you’re drunk OR when you’re [...]
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https://cacboston.org/festival/
Sat. May. 13, 2023    
3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
For more information, please click here.
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The Ecology of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents
Sat. May. 13, 2023    
7:00 pm
Date: May 13th Time: Doors at 7:00pm Come experience the very first staged reading of a new original play by local playwright Trevor Turnbow! The [...]
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Revive Church Service
Sun. May. 14, 2023    
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Info TBA.
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An Evening with You're Wrong About
Sun. May. 14, 2023    
7:00 pm
Sarah is a journalist obsessed with the past. Every week she reconsiders a person or event that's been miscast in the public imagination. To purchase [...]
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CANCELED - First and Last Word Poetry
Tue. May. 16, 2023    
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
On Zoom until further notice. Please contact editor@cervenabarvapress.com with any questions. Doors 6:30 pm. Third Tuesday of every month, with different featured poets each time, and [...]
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Red Cross Blood Drive
Wed. May. 17, 2023    
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Red Cross’s regular blood drive returns to the Armory. Please consider donating!
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. May. 17, 2023    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
suggested donation $10 “Songwriters in the Round at the Center for Arts at the Armory is a gift for the community.” That’s what someone told us [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. May. 17, 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
Chasten Buttigieg: I Have Something To Tell You – For Young Adults
Wed. May. 17, 2023    
7:30 pm
For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here.
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Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
Thu. May. 18, 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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Joyce - Sound and Projection Performance Installation w/ Katya Popova and Emiliano Lopez
Fri. May. 19, 2023    
7:30 pm
An exhibition featuring the band Joyce, an experimental improvising band from New England Conservatory, playing alongside trigger art from Katya Popova (https://popova.space/) and Emiliano Lopez. [...]
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LadiesCon 2023
Sat. May. 20, 2023    
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
LadiesCon is an annual celebration of comics, science fiction, fantasy, cosplay, and many other realms of pop culture with a special focus on women, non-binary [...]
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Guitar Stop's All Ages Student Recital
Sat. May. 20, 2023    
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Students who study at Guitar Stop in Porter Square perform! No cover, open to all. Doors open 2:45. Free Admission - No tickets necessary. For [...]
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Queer Theatre Project's Shakes-Queer Production: Much Ado About Nothing
Sat. May. 20, 2023    
7:30 pm
Triumphant from competition, young "Don" Peter and his friends Claud and Benedick return to Camp Messina, a summer theater camp for talented youngsters, with one [...]
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[CANCELED] I-Opener Community Ecstatic Dance
Sun. May. 21, 2023    
10:45 am - 1:00 pm
5/15/23 UPDATE: I-Opener is canceled this month. I-Opener is a monthly community ecstatic dance. Our intention is to gather local community, to become more connected [...]
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Queer Theatre Project's Shakes-Queer Production: Much Ado About Nothing
Sun. May. 21, 2023    
4:00 pm
Triumphant from competition, young "Don" Peter and his friends Claud and Benedick return to Camp Messina, a summer theater camp for talented youngsters, with one [...]
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Get to the Gig Boston Presents: Pet Symmetry w/ Retirement Party + Camp Trash
Mon. May. 22, 2023    
7:00 pm
Pet Symmetry *10 -Year Anniversary Retirement Party Camp Trash   ALL AGES $20/24 7PM To purchase tickets, please click here.
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Somerville Art Council Cultural Capacity City Wide Forum
Tue. May. 23, 2023    
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Through September 2023, the City of Somerville invites you to participate in its capacity-building and cultural planning process. What is capacity-building?  Capacity-building helps develop the skills, abilities, [...]
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[CANCELED] Revive City Church Monthly Meeting
Tue. May. 23, 2023    
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
5/23/23 Update: The event is canceled tonight. Event details TBA.
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Strummerville Ukulele Club
Wed. May. 24, 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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Pool Boy Comedy Presents: Into the Deep End - A Night of Sketch and Standup
Thu. May. 25, 2023    
7:00 pm
Pool Boy is an indie sketch comedy group from Somerville, MA. Our goal is to create more performance opportunities for the community and to bring [...]
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Elevation Conference Boston 2023
Fri. May. 26, 2023 - Sat. May. 27, 2023    
12:00 pm
#1 Christian Hip Hop Conference in the Northeast! Founded by a diverse group of young leaders in 2013 out of Holy Tabernacle Church, Elevation Conference [...]
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Out Loud - A Very Queer Open Mic
Fri. May. 26, 2023    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
For more information, please visit the Facebook page here.
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Cafe Raqs
Sat. May. 27, 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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Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents Bill Frisell, Tony Scherr, and Rudy Royston
Sun. May. 28, 2023    
7:00 pm
****SOLD OUT**** Get ready for a phenomenal night of jazz as legendary guitarist and composer Bill Frisell takes the stage with Tony Scherr on bass [...]
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dairy queen. diva slasher.
Tue. May. 30, 2023    
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
A creative non-fiction  writing workshop with  the scarlet W.  in this workshop:  list essays  bring sad or bring happy or bring a friend  come as yourself or [...]
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The Album Leaf
Fri. Jun. 02, 2023    
7:00 pm
Friday, June 2, 2023 7pm doors 730pm show All Ages For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. THE ALBUM LEAF has been making [...]
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Mamaliga Klezmer Band & Sarah Larsson
Fri. Jun. 02, 2023    
7:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Friday, June 2nd @ 7:30PM Doors open at 7PM Get your tickets here. Check it out on Facebook. MAMALIGA KLEZMER BAND Mamaliga is a critically [...]
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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
Events on Sat. May. 06, 2023
SOMERVILLE OPEN STUDIOS 2023
6 May 23
The Spring Hill Quartet
6 May 23
Somerville Songwriter Sessions
6 May 23
Events on Sun. May. 07, 2023
SOMERVILLE OPEN STUDIOS 2023
6 May 23
Events on Wed. May. 10, 2023
Tunefoolery Coffee House
10 May 23
Tunefoolery Coffee House
10 May 23
Events on Thu. May. 11, 2023
Inauguration Ceremony of Little Library & Zine Stand
11 May 23
Armory Gala: A Night in Bloom
11 May 23
Events on Fri. May. 12, 2023
After School Snacks Comedy Presents: The Crossfade
12 May 23
Events on Sat. May. 13, 2023
https://cacboston.org/festival/
13 May 23
The Ecology of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents
13 May 23
Events on Sun. May. 14, 2023
Revive Church Service
14 May 23
An Evening with You're Wrong About
14 May 23
Events on Tue. May. 16, 2023
CANCELED - First and Last Word Poetry
16 May 23
Events on Wed. May. 17, 2023
Red Cross Blood Drive
17 May 23
Songwriters in the Round
17 May 23
Songwriters in the Round
17 May 23
Chasten Buttigieg: I Have Something To Tell You – For Young Adults
17 May 23
Events on Thu. May. 18, 2023
Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
18 May 23
Events on Fri. May. 19, 2023
Joyce - Sound and Projection Performance Installation w/ Katya Popova and Emiliano Lopez
19 May 23
Events on Sat. May. 20, 2023
LadiesCon 2023
20 May 23
Guitar Stop's All Ages Student Recital
20 May 23
Queer Theatre Project's Shakes-Queer Production: Much Ado About Nothing
20 May 23
Events on Sun. May. 21, 2023
[CANCELED] I-Opener Community Ecstatic Dance
21 May 23
Queer Theatre Project's Shakes-Queer Production: Much Ado About Nothing
21 May 23
Events on Mon. May. 22, 2023
Get to the Gig Boston Presents: Pet Symmetry w/ Retirement Party + Camp Trash
22 May 23
Events on Tue. May. 23, 2023
Somerville Art Council Cultural Capacity City Wide Forum
23 May 23
[CANCELED] Revive City Church Monthly Meeting
23 May 23
Events on Wed. May. 24, 2023
Strummerville Ukulele Club
24 May 23
Events on Thu. May. 25, 2023
Pool Boy Comedy Presents: Into the Deep End - A Night of Sketch and Standup
25 May 23
Events on Fri. May. 26, 2023
Elevation Conference Boston 2023
26 May 23
Out Loud - A Very Queer Open Mic
26 May 23
Events on Sat. May. 27, 2023
Elevation Conference Boston 2023
26 May 23
Cafe Raqs
27 May 23
Events on Sun. May. 28, 2023
Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents Bill Frisell, Tony Scherr, and Rudy Royston
28 May 23
Events on Tue. May. 30, 2023
dairy queen. diva slasher.
30 May 23
Events on Fri. Jun. 02, 2023
The Album Leaf
2 Jun 23
Mamaliga Klezmer Band & Sarah Larsson
2 Jun 23

Upcoming Events

The Center for the Arts at the Armory