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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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Search Events

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Wicked Good Aht Mahket
Sun. Apr. 27, 2025    
12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us on April 27, 2025 from 12-7 at @artsatthearmory for the next Wicked Good Aht Mahket!! FREE ENTRY! This is NOT YOUR MOTHER’S FLEA [...]
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Indie Board Game Day: Whisker Wars
Sun. Apr. 27, 2025    
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Glasshouse Games invites you to a night of playtesting in anticipation of their upcoming card-battling strategy game, Whisker Wars!
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GottaBal! Dance
Sun. Apr. 27, 2025    
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Monthly DJ’d dance event! We are a diverse and inclusive community of dancers united by our love of Swing dance. Balboa originated in Southern California [...]
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Get To The Gig Presents Prison Affair with Smirk
Tue. Apr. 29, 2025    
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Get to the Gig Boston Presents PRISON AFFAIR with Smirk Get tickets now! All ages are welcome. Doors open at 6:30 PM Show starts at [...]
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Disability is Diversity: Snapshots of Disabled Life
Tue. Apr. 29, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Disabled Stories Collective is a storytelling project by Mass Creative Fellows Garin Boyd and Erin Ryan Heyneman. Join us for our inaugural Storytelling night. We [...]
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Polyam Discussion Group: Hinge For Life
Wed. Apr. 30, 2025    
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
A Polyamory Discussion in the Arts at the Armory ROOTED Café. Presented by Polyam Collaborative Community. Informal group discussion facilitated by Carol Ann. Doors open [...]
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SOLD OUT: Bill Blumenreich Presents Well There’s Your Problem Podcast
Wed. Apr. 30, 2025 - Thu. May. 01, 2025    
6:30 pm - 9:15 pm
SECOND SHOW ADDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND! This is a podcast about engineering disasters and systemic failures, from a leftist perspective, with jokes! Doors 6:30pm [...]
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SOLD OUT: Bill Blumenreich Presents Well There’s Your Problem Podcast
Thu. May. 01, 2025    
6:30 pm - 9:15 pm
This is a podcast about engineering disasters and systemic failures, from a leftist perspective, with jokes! Doors 6:30pm Show 7:30pm Get tickets now! Starring Justin [...]
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Hilary & G Live
Thu. May. 01, 2025    
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Hilary Menegaz Weitzner and G Rockwell join together to create a unique blend of folk traditions new and old across the globe! An award winning [...]
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SOLD OUT: Get To the Gig Presents Lambrini Girls with Party Dozen
Fri. May. 02, 2025    
6:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Get To The Gig Boston & MassConcerts Present... Lambrini Girls with Party Dozen Get tickets now! The British punk duo rails against misogyny, homophobia, and [...]
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WYRD Presents... Silly Love Songs
Fri. May. 02, 2025    
7:30 pm
An independently produced comedy show featuring veteran talent from the Boston area.
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WYRD Presents... Impractical Improvisors
Fri. May. 02, 2025    
9:00 pm
A character show featuring comedians facing judgement at the gates of hell.
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Somerville Open Studios Community Space
Sat. May. 03, 2025    
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Somerville Open Studios 2025 will take place on Saturday + Sunday, May 3-4, 2024, from 12-6 pm each day, at artists’ studios and homes throughout [...]
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Look Inside – Bruno Råberg - Solo Bass
Sat. May. 03, 2025    
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Bassist/composer Bruno Raberg will present a 60 min. set of compositions and improvisations for acoustic bass. He will draw on materials from his solo bass [...]
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Somerville Songwriter Sessions
Sat. May. 03, 2025    
7:00 pm
A live, in-person concert with featured singer/songwriters. The concert will include a solo set by each artist, followed by a round robin song swap.
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Rick & Friends
Sun. May. 04, 2025    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Stop by to hear a varied line-up including Jazz vocalist (and flute player) Rick Silberg  will play jazz favorites and great American classics. Free event, [...]
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Somerville Open Studios Community Space
Sun. May. 04, 2025    
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Somerville Open Studios 2025 will take place on Saturday + Sunday, May 3-4, 2024, from 12-6 pm each day, at artists’ studios and homes throughout [...]
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B.A.B.E. Student Showcase
Sun. May. 04, 2025    
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
The Boston Academy of Burlesque Education will be celebrating B.A.B.E. students past and present. Students from "Beyond Basic Burlesque"-level Burlesque: Your Way will showcase the acts [...]
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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. May. 06, 2025    
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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Get to the Gig Presents Electric Six
Tue. May. 06, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Get to the Gig Boston Presents ELECTRIC SIX Get tickets now! All ages are welcome. Doors open at 7:00 PM Show begins at 8:00 PM
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Smut Slam
Tue. May. 06, 2025    
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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Cirque Us! - One Man's Trash
Wed. May. 07, 2025    
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
One Man’s Trash: A Repurposed Circus Get tickets now! Grab your garbage bags, pick up the recycling, and get ready to laugh and cheer as [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. May. 07, 2025    
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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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. May. 07, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
We welcome a pair of newcomers to the May 7th Songwriters in the Round at Arts at the Armory. Charming power-pop raconteur Derek O’Kanos is [...]
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Pub Sing
Thu. May. 08, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Join in with chorus songs that are easy to learn and fun to sing
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Get to the Gig Presents Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Fri. May. 09, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Get to the Gig Boston Presents SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM Get tickets now! All ages are welcome. Doors open at 7:00 PM Show begins at 8:00 [...]
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The Nova Comedy Collective Presents: Nebula Night
Fri. May. 09, 2025    
8:00 pm
Nova Comedy Collective presents Nebula Night, featuring local talent from Boston’s comedy, music, arts scene, and beyond.
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Amanda Palmer
Sat. May. 10, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Amanda Palmer is a singer, songwriter, playwright, pianist, author, director, and blogger who simultaneously embraces and explodes traditional frameworks of music, theatre, and art. She [...]
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Mr. Tampon Man's Menstrual Menagerie
Sun. May. 11, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
A Night of Comedy... Period. Hosted by Ira Claybourne & Steph Dalwin Get tickets now! Roya Hamadani, ever the fearless satirist, has gifted the universe [...]
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Somerville Community Corporation Job Fair
Tue. May. 13, 2025    
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
CALLING ALL JOB SEEKERS! Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) wants to connect YOU with employers in Somerville and surrounding areas. Get tickets now! Join us at The [...]
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IdeaLab Policy Showcase
Wed. May. 14, 2025    
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
IdeaLab is a poster session-style showcase of Jake Wilson's proposals to address some of the biggest challenges facing the City of Somerville. There will be [...]
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Tunefoolery Coffee House
Wed. May. 14, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tunefoolery Music is a non-profit organization for musicians in mental health recovery.
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YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City
Thu. May. 15, 2025    
6:30 pm
Come join us for an evening of scrumptious food, inspiration, and delightful company as we celebrate the presence of immigrants in our community! Get tickets [...]
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Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
Thu. May. 15, 2025    
7:30 pm
An independently-produced, monthly improv show featuring new and veteran local talent. Come see what’s blowing up!
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Somerville Homeless Coalition Exhibition Opening Reception
Fri. May. 16, 2025    
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Echos is a self-titled exhibition of works by current members of Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) and a final project of an ongoing weekly art meet-up [...]
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Fusion Dance Collective Season 1 Show: Unveil
Sat. May. 17, 2025    
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for Fusion Dance Collective’s debut show, Unveil. The performance will feature original works produced and performed by members of the Fusion Dance Collective community. [...]
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Guitar Stop Spring Recital
Sun. May. 18, 2025    
2:45 pm - 6:00 pm
Students who study at Guitar Stop in Porter Square perform in the ROOTED Armory Café. Doors open at 2:45 PM Recital begins at 3:00 PM [...]
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Boston Orchestra Book Club Presents: Sounds of the City
Sun. May. 18, 2025    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sounds of the City: Music of Boston's Past, Present, and Future Get tickets now! The city of Boston has been home to a rich musical [...]
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GottaBal! Dance
Sun. May. 18, 2025    
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Monthly DJ’d dance event! We are a diverse and inclusive community of dancers united by our love of Swing dance. Balboa originated in Southern California [...]
More Info
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. May. 21, 2025    
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
Get to the Gig Presents Smoking Popes with Off With Their Heads
Thu. May. 22, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Get to the Gig Boston Presents SMOKING POPES with Off With Their Heads Get tickets now! All ages are welcome. Doors open at 7:00 PM [...]
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Polyam Discussion Group: Opening a Relationship
Thu. May. 22, 2025    
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
A Polyamory Discussion in the Arts at the Armory ROOTED Café. Presented by Polyam Collaborative Community. Informal group discussion facilitated by Carol Ann.
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Vortex Ecstatic Dance
Fri. May. 23, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Join us for the next Vortex Dance experience. Join our Vortex Ecstatic Dance with a special guest: Omar Aena, DJ from NYC, founder of Dance [...]
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Bullshit Boutique Vintage Market
Sun. May. 25, 2025    
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Bullshit Boutique Vintage Market: over 20 vendors, free YerbaMate, DJ, Live Band, from 12-5pm. Follow on Instagram: @bullshitboutique
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Writing for Transformation
Sun. May. 25, 2025    
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Writing for Transformation Join us for an interactive writing workshop that invites Somerville residents to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine. Through guided prompts and discussion, participants [...]
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Strummerville Ukulele Club
Tue. May. 27, 2025    
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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The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
Tue. May. 27, 2025    
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. 28, 2025    
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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Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series presents 10,000 Maniacs
Wed. May. 28, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Arts at the Armory welcomes the legendary 10,000 Maniacs to the Spotlight Series stage on May 28, 2025! Get tickets now! The band has covered [...]
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Bill Blumenreich Presents Evolution of a Snake: The Sneras Tour
Thu. May. 29, 2025    
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
A podcast detailing the life and times of the world's most famous reptile: Taylor Swift. Doors 6:30PM Show 7:30PM Hosted by two longtime fans unafraid [...]
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Stand-Up on the Spot: an Improvised Stand-Up Show
Thu. May. 29, 2025    
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
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A Night To Be Heard
Fri. May. 30, 2025    
7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
An unforgettable night of art, movement and storytelling! Experience a sneak peek of our new dance performance, film, poetry and dinner. Beheard.world Invites you to "An [...]
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Events on Sun. Apr. 27, 2025
Wicked Good Aht Mahket
27 Apr 25
Indie Board Game Day: Whisker Wars
27 Apr 25
GottaBal! Dance
27 Apr 25
Events on Tue. Apr. 29, 2025
Get To The Gig Presents Prison Affair with Smirk
29 Apr 25
Disability is Diversity: Snapshots of Disabled Life
29 Apr 25
Events on Wed. Apr. 30, 2025
Polyam Discussion Group: Hinge For Life
30 Apr 25
SOLD OUT: Bill Blumenreich Presents Well There’s Your Problem Podcast
30 Apr 25
Events on Thu. May. 01, 2025
SOLD OUT: Bill Blumenreich Presents Well There’s Your Problem Podcast
30 Apr 25
SOLD OUT: Bill Blumenreich Presents Well There’s Your Problem Podcast
1 May 25
Hilary & G Live
1 May 25
Events on Fri. May. 02, 2025
SOLD OUT: Get To the Gig Presents Lambrini Girls with Party Dozen
2 May 25
WYRD Presents... Silly Love Songs
2 May 25
WYRD Presents... Impractical Improvisors
2 May 25
Events on Sat. May. 03, 2025
Somerville Open Studios Community Space
3 May 25
Look Inside – Bruno Råberg - Solo Bass
3 May 25
Somerville Songwriter Sessions
3 May 25
Events on Sun. May. 04, 2025
Rick & Friends
4 May 25
Somerville Open Studios Community Space
4 May 25
B.A.B.E. Student Showcase
4 May 25
Events on Tue. May. 06, 2025
SCES Brown Bag Program
6 May 25
Get to the Gig Presents Electric Six
6 May 25
Smut Slam
6 May 25
Events on Wed. May. 07, 2025
Cirque Us! - One Man's Trash
7 May 25
Songwriters in the Round
7 May 25
Songwriters in the Round
7 May 25
Events on Thu. May. 08, 2025
Pub Sing
8 May 25
Events on Fri. May. 09, 2025
Get to the Gig Presents Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
9 May 25
The Nova Comedy Collective Presents: Nebula Night
9 May 25
Events on Sat. May. 10, 2025
Amanda Palmer
10 May 25
Events on Sun. May. 11, 2025
Mr. Tampon Man's Menstrual Menagerie
11 May 25
Events on Tue. May. 13, 2025
Somerville Community Corporation Job Fair
13 May 25
Events on Wed. May. 14, 2025
IdeaLab Policy Showcase
14 May 25
Tunefoolery Coffee House
14 May 25
Events on Thu. May. 15, 2025
YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City
15 May 25
Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
15 May 25
Events on Fri. May. 16, 2025
Somerville Homeless Coalition Exhibition Opening Reception
16 May 25
Events on Sat. May. 17, 2025
Fusion Dance Collective Season 1 Show: Unveil
17 May 25
Events on Sun. May. 18, 2025
Guitar Stop Spring Recital
18 May 25
Boston Orchestra Book Club Presents: Sounds of the City
18 May 25
GottaBal! Dance
18 May 25
Events on Wed. May. 21, 2025
Songwriters in the Round
21 May 25
Events on Thu. May. 22, 2025
Get to the Gig Presents Smoking Popes with Off With Their Heads
22 May 25
Polyam Discussion Group: Opening a Relationship
22 May 25
Events on Fri. May. 23, 2025
Vortex Ecstatic Dance
23 May 25
Events on Sun. May. 25, 2025
Bullshit Boutique Vintage Market
25 May 25
Writing for Transformation
25 May 25
Events on Tue. May. 27, 2025
Strummerville Ukulele Club
27 May 25
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
27 May 25
Events on Wed. May. 28, 2025
Strummerville Ukulele Club
28 May 25
Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series presents 10,000 Maniacs
28 May 25
Events on Thu. May. 29, 2025
Bill Blumenreich Presents Evolution of a Snake: The Sneras Tour
29 May 25
Stand-Up on the Spot: an Improvised Stand-Up Show
29 May 25
Events on Fri. May. 30, 2025
A Night To Be Heard
30 May 25

Upcoming Events

Somerville Winter Farmers Market

Somerville Winter Farmers Market

Sat. Apr. 11, 2026, 9:30 AM
Rick & Friends

Rick & Friends

Sat. Apr. 11, 2026, 10:00 AM
Jamie Dunphy and True North

Jamie Dunphy and True North

Sat. Apr. 11, 2026, 3:00 PM

The Center for the Arts at the Armory