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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 Mรฉndez, 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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Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
Mon. May. 30, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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 Cafรฉ. [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jun. 01, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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, 2022ย ย ย ย 
8:00 pm
For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here.    
More Info
Tiny Happy Guitar: Open Mic & Kickstarter
Sun. Jun. 05, 2022ย ย ย ย 
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
For more information, please visit the Facebook event here.
More Info
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
Mon. Jun. 06, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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. Jun. 06, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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. Jun. 06, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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. Jun. 06, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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
SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Jun. 07, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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. Jun. 07, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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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Been Out Here: Teen Open Mic Night
Wed. Jun. 08, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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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POP Presents Somerville Arts Council's Art Assembled AiR Program Artist Performances: Claire Lane & Caroline Bradburry | detrius Dance | Rebecca McGowan & Jackie O'Reilly | Brandy White
Wed. Jun. 08, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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 [...]
More Info
B.L.O.W.W Presents: Welcome to Pride Corp
Sun. Jun. 12, 2022ย ย ย ย 
7:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Boston League of Wicked Wrestlers Presents: Welcome to Pride Corp Come see VALENTINE, The Bradlees Babes, Sheila: Attorney at Law, The Butcher, Shitty Wizard, Susie [...]
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Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
Mon. Jun. 13, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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. Jun. 13, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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. Jun. 13, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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. Jun. 13, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jun. 15, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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
Boston Security Meetup (Hybrid)
Thu. Jun. 16, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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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Julie C Baer Nature Paintings Exhibit Reception
Sat. Jun. 18, 2022ย ย ย ย 
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
For more information please visit: Julie Baer's portfolio and Instagram.
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Jeff Beal's The Paper Lined Shack: A Chamber Premiere Concertย 
Sat. Jun. 18, 2022ย ย ย ย 
7:00 pm
American composer Jeff Beal presents a world premiere chamber arrangement of his dreamy song cycle, The Paper Lined Shack, featuring two-time Grammy award winning soprano [...]
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Summer Solstice Plant Market
Sun. Jun. 19, 2022ย ย ย ย 
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
For more information about this event, please visit the Facebook event here.  
More Info
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Jun. 20, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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. Jun. 21, 2022ย ย ย ย 
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Doors 6:30 pm. Third Tuesday of everyย month, with different featured poets each time, and a chance to read your own work during the open-mic section [...]
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The Bowery Presents: Prateek Kuhad
Wed. Jun. 22, 2022ย ย ย ย 
6:30 pm
For more information about the event, please visit the FB event here. Purchase tickets here (on sale starting 4/22/2022 at 10 AM).
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Strummerville Ukulele Club
Wed. Jun. 22, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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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Strummerville Ukulele
Wed. Jun. 22, 2022ย ย ย ย 
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
The Strummerville Ukulele Club is a fun-loving, ukulele-strumming, singing and humming group of amateur musicians who love the ukulele almost as much as we love [...]
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GREER
Thu. Jun. 23, 2022ย ย ย ย 
6:30 pm - 11:00 pm
GREER with Disq To purchase tickets, please click here.
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Teatro Brasileiro de Boston
Fri. Jun. 24, 2022ย ย ย ย 
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Information TBA. Please visit the Facebook group for more information.
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CANCELED -- Cafe Raqs
Sun. Jun. 26, 2022ย ย ย ย 
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
UPDATE: This event is CANCELED in June, but will be back in July! Cafe Raqs is a place for New England's belly dancers of all [...]
More Info
Queer Tango Boston
Mon. Jun. 27, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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. Jun. 28, 2022ย ย ย ย 
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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Dana Cooper
Wed. Jun. 29, 2022ย ย ย ย 
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dana Cooper CD Release Show with opener Local Band "The Secret Sauce"- Janet Feld, Esther Friedman & Jackie Damsky June 29, 2022 - 7PM $20 [...]
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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
Events on Sun. Jun. 05, 2022
Tiny Happy Guitar: Open Mic & Kickstarter
5 Jun 22
Events on Mon. Jun. 06, 2022
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
6 Jun 22
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
6 Jun 22
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
6 Jun 22
Queer Tango Boston
6 Jun 22
Events on Tue. Jun. 07, 2022
SCES Brown Bag Program
7 Jun 22
Smut Slam
7 Jun 22
Events on Wed. Jun. 08, 2022
Been Out Here: Teen Open Mic Night
8 Jun 22
POP Presents Somerville Arts Council's Art Assembled AiR Program Artist Performances: Claire Lane & Caroline Bradburry | detrius Dance | Rebecca McGowan & Jackie O'Reilly | Brandy White
8 Jun 22
Events on Sun. Jun. 12, 2022
B.L.O.W.W Presents: Welcome to Pride Corp
12 Jun 22
Events on Mon. Jun. 13, 2022
Spring Parkour (Teen Indoor 11-16)
13 Jun 22
Spring Parkour (Kids Advanced 8-13)
13 Jun 22
Spring Parkour (Low Impact/50+ Indoor)
13 Jun 22
Queer Tango Boston
13 Jun 22
Events on Wed. Jun. 15, 2022
Songwriters in the Round
15 Jun 22
Events on Thu. Jun. 16, 2022
Boston Security Meetup (Hybrid)
16 Jun 22
Events on Sat. Jun. 18, 2022
Julie C Baer Nature Paintings Exhibit Reception
18 Jun 22
Jeff Beal's The Paper Lined Shack: A Chamber Premiere Concertย 
18 Jun 22
Events on Sun. Jun. 19, 2022
Summer Solstice Plant Market
19 Jun 22
Events on Mon. Jun. 20, 2022
Queer Tango Boston
20 Jun 22
Events on Tue. Jun. 21, 2022
First and Last Word Poetry
21 Jun 22
Events on Wed. Jun. 22, 2022
The Bowery Presents: Prateek Kuhad
22 Jun 22
Strummerville Ukulele Club
22 Jun 22
Strummerville Ukulele
22 Jun 22
Events on Thu. Jun. 23, 2022
GREER
23 Jun 22
Events on Fri. Jun. 24, 2022
Teatro Brasileiro de Boston
24 Jun 22
Events on Sun. Jun. 26, 2022
CANCELED -- Cafe Raqs
26 Jun 22
Events on Mon. Jun. 27, 2022
Queer Tango Boston
27 Jun 22
Events on Tue. Jun. 28, 2022
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
28 Jun 22
Events on Wed. Jun. 29, 2022
Dana Cooper
29 Jun 22

Upcoming Events

The Center for the Arts at the Armory