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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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Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents Welcome to Holland!? by Laura Sanchez
Sun. Jun. 29, 2025    
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Join us for Laura Sanchez’ transformative 75-minute journey that beautifully intertwines flamenco, poetry, humor, and film, celebrating the incredible strength of caregivers. Get tickets now! [...]
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School of Rock Watertown: Adult Band Showcase
Sun. Jun. 29, 2025    
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
School of Rock Watertown is back for our Adult Band end-of-season Showcase! Over the course of 4 months, these students have worked very hard to [...]
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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Jul. 01, 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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Smut Slam
Tue. Jul. 01, 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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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jul. 02, 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. Jul. 02, 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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Red Cross Blood Drive
Wed. Jul. 09, 2025    
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Red Cross’s regular blood drive returns to the Armory. Make an Appointment Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting [...]
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Tunefoolery Coffee House
Wed. Jul. 09, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tunefoolery Music is a non-profit organization for musicians in mental health recovery.
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Open Mic of Music
Wed. Jul. 09, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Open Mic of Music performs at the ROOTED Armory Café. Hosted by Shawn Deirdre and Kevin ONeil
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Pub Sing
Thu. Jul. 10, 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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Bornready Boston
Fri. Jul. 11, 2025    
6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Community based event to promote local creatives and artists in the Boston area. Get tickets now! Vendors Live Performances Special Guest Networking Opportunities Food-Themed Photo [...]
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The Nova Comedy Collective Presents: Nebula Night
Fri. Jul. 11, 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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POP Presents: Boston Summer Opera Presents Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi
Sun. Jul. 13, 2025    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Boston Summer Opera is proud to present Rigoletto, an opera in two acts with music by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria [...]
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Somerville Poetry Workshop
Wed. Jul. 16, 2025    
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Somerville is a great town for poets and writers, of all levels. This discussion-based workshop aims to provide a forum for poets who have never [...]
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Malachi Del Rosario Presents: Insomnia
Wed. Jul. 16, 2025    
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Insomnia is an immersive, avant-garde musical experience that ventures into the heart of the human psyche. Presented by composer and director Malachi Del Rosario, this one-night-only [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jul. 16, 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
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Jul. 16, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
We have an incredibly curated Songwriters in the Round for you this week. Each performer is placed like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle. When you see [...]
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SOLD OUT: Bill Blumenreich Presents Jackie Schimmel: Dim the Lights Tour
Thu. Jul. 17, 2025    
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Doors 6:30PM Show 7:30PM A night of candid stories, off-the-cuff Q&As, and never-before-seen home videos. It’s equal parts comedy, overshare, and hanging out with your [...]
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Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
Thu. Jul. 17, 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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HER SISTER: Music with Sela Aaron & Adina Lilly Aaron
Fri. Jul. 18, 2025    
6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Sister duo Adina and Sela Aaron share original songs with an ethereal, folky essence, creating a sense of oneness with the music. Doors open at [...]
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Hello From The Magic Tavern: The Ten Year Tour
Fri. Jul. 18, 2025    
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Join us as we celebrate the first 10 years of Hello from the Magic Tavern! Doors 6:30pm Show 7:30pm Get tickets now! Pre-sale for Patreon [...]
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Exhibition Reception for Jana Edele
Sat. Jul. 19, 2025    
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Join us for an Exhibition Reception for Jana Edele at ROOTED Armory Cafe.  The exhibition runs from July 2 – August 13, 2025. Jana Edele [...]
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N/A Dance Show: Love
Sat. Jul. 19, 2025    
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
A Powerful Dance Show... ...about LOVE. Doors 7:30pm Show 8:00pm Get tickets now! The beautiful, ugly, nasty parts of love. The joyful, painful, indescribable parts [...]
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The Duo Show
Sat. Jul. 19, 2025    
8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
This will be a night full of laughter with some of the best improv duos in the area. You don't want to miss it! Get [...]
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N/A Dance Show: Love
Sun. Jul. 20, 2025    
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
A Powerful Dance Show... ...about LOVE. Doors 6:30pm Show 7:00pm Get tickets now! The beautiful, ugly, nasty parts of love. The joyful, painful, indescribable parts [...]
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The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
Tue. Jul. 22, 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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Somerville Poetry Workshop
Wed. Jul. 23, 2025    
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Somerville is a great town for poets and writers, of all levels. This discussion-based workshop aims to provide a forum for poets who have never [...]
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Strummerville Ukulele Club
Wed. Jul. 23, 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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Bill Blumenreich Presents Serialously with Annie Elise
Thu. Jul. 24, 2025    
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Doors 6:30pm Show 7:30pm Get tickets now! Topping the podcast charts in over 11 countries, on Serialously with Annie Elise, Annie discusses true crime cases [...]
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Polyam Discussion Group: Jealousy
Thu. Jul. 24, 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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The Spotlight Effect Improv Show
Fri. Jul. 25, 2025    
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Professional comedians from Improv Asylum interview audience members and then reenact their life. Featuring character bits from local comedians. The show will be a cavalcade [...]
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Metal Yoga with Black Widow Yoga
Sat. Jul. 26, 2025    
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Join Black Widow Yoga at the Somerville Arts at the Armory performance hall, for an hour of metal yoga! We're excited to be in this [...]
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3rd Annual Women Entrepreneurs Market: Summer Vibes
Sun. Jul. 27, 2025    
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
WEM: Summer Vibes! A fun, family-friendly day of shopping, music & community. July 27, 11–3. Free entry—bring the whole crew! Get tickets now! Get ready [...]
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Acoustic Evening with Lars Wicklund, Greg Lawrence, & Jasmine Im
Sun. Jul. 27, 2025    
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
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Traditional Irish Session
Mon. Jul. 28, 2025    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Join us for a Traditional Irish Session sponsored by The Burren with live music and dancing with Kara Howgate-Mello (dance), Gwen Johnston (fiddle) and Jimmy Kelly [...]
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Somerville Poetry Workshop
Wed. Jul. 30, 2025    
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Somerville is a great town for poets and writers, of all levels. This discussion-based workshop aims to provide a forum for poets who have never [...]
More Info
Feet Keep the Beat Performance Showcase: LINEAGE
Fri. Aug. 01, 2025    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Doors 7:00pm Show 8:00pm As the artists featured in the showcase performance perform a story of how feet have been keeping the beat over time, [...]
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Events on Sun. Jun. 29, 2025
Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents Welcome to Holland!? by Laura Sanchez
29 Jun 25
School of Rock Watertown: Adult Band Showcase
29 Jun 25
Events on Tue. Jul. 01, 2025
SCES Brown Bag Program
1 Jul 25
Smut Slam
1 Jul 25
Events on Wed. Jul. 02, 2025
Songwriters in the Round
2 Jul 25
Songwriters in the Round
2 Jul 25
Events on Wed. Jul. 09, 2025
Red Cross Blood Drive
9 Jul 25
Tunefoolery Coffee House
9 Jul 25
Open Mic of Music
9 Jul 25
Events on Thu. Jul. 10, 2025
Pub Sing
10 Jul 25
Events on Fri. Jul. 11, 2025
Bornready Boston
11 Jul 25
The Nova Comedy Collective Presents: Nebula Night
11 Jul 25
Events on Sun. Jul. 13, 2025
POP Presents: Boston Summer Opera Presents Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi
13 Jul 25
Events on Wed. Jul. 16, 2025
Somerville Poetry Workshop
16 Jul 25
Malachi Del Rosario Presents: Insomnia
16 Jul 25
Songwriters in the Round
16 Jul 25
Songwriters in the Round
16 Jul 25
Events on Thu. Jul. 17, 2025
SOLD OUT: Bill Blumenreich Presents Jackie Schimmel: Dim the Lights Tour
17 Jul 25
Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
17 Jul 25
Events on Fri. Jul. 18, 2025
HER SISTER: Music with Sela Aaron & Adina Lilly Aaron
18 Jul 25
Hello From The Magic Tavern: The Ten Year Tour
18 Jul 25
Events on Sat. Jul. 19, 2025
Exhibition Reception for Jana Edele
19 Jul 25
N/A Dance Show: Love
19 Jul 25
The Duo Show
19 Jul 25
Events on Sun. Jul. 20, 2025
N/A Dance Show: Love
20 Jul 25
Events on Tue. Jul. 22, 2025
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM
22 Jul 25
Events on Wed. Jul. 23, 2025
Somerville Poetry Workshop
23 Jul 25
Strummerville Ukulele Club
23 Jul 25
Events on Thu. Jul. 24, 2025
Bill Blumenreich Presents Serialously with Annie Elise
24 Jul 25
Polyam Discussion Group: Jealousy
24 Jul 25
Events on Fri. Jul. 25, 2025
The Spotlight Effect Improv Show
25 Jul 25
Events on Sat. Jul. 26, 2025
Metal Yoga with Black Widow Yoga
26 Jul 25
Events on Sun. Jul. 27, 2025
3rd Annual Women Entrepreneurs Market: Summer Vibes
27 Jul 25
Acoustic Evening with Lars Wicklund, Greg Lawrence, & Jasmine Im
27 Jul 25
Events on Mon. Jul. 28, 2025
Traditional Irish Session
28 Jul 25
Events on Wed. Jul. 30, 2025
Somerville Poetry Workshop
30 Jul 25
Events on Fri. Aug. 01, 2025
Feet Keep the Beat Performance Showcase: LINEAGE
1 Aug 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

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