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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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Massachusetts State Primary Election Voting
Tue. Sep. 03, 2024    
7:00 am - 8:00 pm
On Tuesday, September 3, 2024 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will hold its State Primary Elections. The offices on the ballot for this election include: U.S. [...]
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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Sep. 03, 2024    
8:00 am - 10:00 am
First Tuesday of every month.  Somerville-Cambridge Elder services (SCES) along with the Greater Boston Food Bank, provide older people and younger people with disabilities living [...]
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Smut Slam
Tue. Sep. 03, 2024    
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!
Wed. Sep. 04, 2024    
6:30 pm
Cirque Us Stories Get tickets now! “Cirque Us Stories” is a thoughtfully curated show that flips through the pages of our troupe’s favorite stories to [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Sep. 04, 2024    
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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Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series presents Lady Lamb w/ Hannah Mohan and Naomi Westwater
Fri. Sep. 06, 2024    
7:00 pm
Join us for an enchanting evening as Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series presents Lady Lamb, the beguiling singer-songwriter also known as Aly Spaltro. With [...]
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WYRD: Queer Comedy
Fri. Sep. 06, 2024    
7:30 pm
7:30 WYRD the Musical ft. Silly Love Songs Get tickets now! A cast of your favorite Boston comedians improvise a brand new show completely made [...]
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WYRD: Queer Comedy
Fri. Sep. 06, 2024    
9:00 pm
9:00 WYRD Presents... The New Faces in Hell Get tickets now! A cast of your favorite Boston comedians improvise a brand new show completely made [...]
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Somerville Songwriter Sessions
Sat. Sep. 07, 2024    
7:00 pm
Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe presents an evening of musical duos with The Lied To's, Cosy Sheridan with Charlie Koch, and Sam Bayer [...]
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Red Cross Blood Drive
Wed. Sep. 11, 2024    
9:00 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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The Bowery Presents: Daniel Nunnelee
Wed. Sep. 11, 2024    
7:00 pm
The Bowery presents Daniel Nunnelee with special guest Shane T Get tickets now! Doors open at 7:00 PM Show begins at 08:00 PM All Ages [...]
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Tunefoolery Coffee House
Wed. Sep. 11, 2024    
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tunefoolery Music is a non-profit organization for musicians in mental health recovery.
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Bill Blumenreich presents - Danielle Walker - CANCELLED
Wed. Sep. 11, 2024    
7:00 pm
THIS EVENT HS BEEN CANCELLED Make it Easy is a super-flexible meal prep cookbook featuring 125 healthy gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo recipes plus 15 weeks [...]
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Pub Sing
Thu. Sep. 12, 2024    
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: A.A. Williams
Thu. Sep. 12, 2024    
7:00 pm
Get To The Gig Boston presents A.A. WIlliams Get tickets now! Doors open at 7:00 PM Show begins at 8:00 PM All ages are welcome. [...]
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Ian Campbell - CANCELLED
Fri. Sep. 13, 2024    
6:00 pm
This event has been cancelled.
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GottaBal! Dance
Sun. Sep. 15, 2024    
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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POP Presents: Boston Adavu Showcase
Mon. Sep. 16, 2024    
7:00 pm
In this informal showcase, regular attendees of our adavu meetups will celebrate their love for dance and progress in their dance journeys. Get tickets now! [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Sep. 18, 2024    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
We aren’t going to have to pull any teeth to get you to come see this Songwriters in the Round show at Arts at the Armory. It induces [...]
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Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Sep. 18, 2024    
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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Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
Thu. Sep. 19, 2024    
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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[SOLD OUT] Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series presents: Meshell Ndegeocello - No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
Fri. Sep. 20, 2024    
7:00 pm
Arts at the Armory's Spotlight Series will present Meshell Ndegeocello on September 20, 2024! The concert will showcase Ndegeocello's current project and soon-to-be-released album, No [...]
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Show Me Your Bits Standup & Sketch Show
Fri. Sep. 20, 2024    
8:00 pm
Jonathan Anderson brings his hottest and funniest friends in Boston comedy to do their best standup bits and he’s got follow up questions! Get tickets [...]
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The Nova Comedy Collective Presents: Nebula Night
Sat. Sep. 21, 2024    
8:00 pm
Nebula Night is a monthly community night featuring local talent from Boston's comedy, music, arts scene and beyond. Each show features a variety of artists [...]
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The Moth: Boston StorySLAM - "Lost"
Tue. Sep. 24, 2024    
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. Sep. 25, 2024    
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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Get to the Gig presents: Deerhoof
Wed. Sep. 25, 2024    
7:00 pm
Get To The Gig Boston and MassConcerts present Deerhoof with Ekko Astral Get tickets now! Doors open at 7:00 PM Show begins at 8:00 PM [...]
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Get to the Gig Presents: Charli Party 3 [CANCELED]
Thu. Sep. 26, 2024    
7:30 pm
Charli Party 3 is CANCELED for 9/26/24. Get To The Gig Boston / MassConcerts Present: Charli Party 3 at the Armory Get tickets now! Doors [...]
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Bill Blumenreich Presents: Beth Stelling [SOLD OUT]
Fri. Sep. 27, 2024    
6:30 pm
The Beth Stelling event is SOLD OUT for 9/27/24 Beth Stelling - Stand-up Comedian, Writer and Actress Get tickets now! Beth Stelling is a comedian, [...]
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Junebug: an Improvised Space Western
Fri. Sep. 27, 2024    
7:30 pm
Junebug: An improvised space western is back with a free show for all of you sci-fi nerds out there. Heavily inspired by the short-lived mid-2000's [...]
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Cafe Raqs
Sat. Sep. 28, 2024    
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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Yesterday's Magazine Live Stand Up Show
Sun. Sep. 29, 2024    
6:30 pm
Get tickets now! Boston’s newest comedy magazine published by Asylum Media brings you catch some of Boston’s best comedians and a FREE copy of the [...]
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Bill Blumenreich presents Politics as Unusual
Mon. Sep. 30, 2024    
7:30 pm
Politics as Unusual with Rick Wilson & Molly Jong-Fast Get tickets now! Molly Jong-Fast and Rick Wilson are taking their new show, Politics As Unusual, [...]
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SCES Brown Bag Program
Tue. Oct. 01, 2024    
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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All She Wrote Books Presents Sabaa Tahir "HEIR" & Azanta Thakur
Tue. Oct. 01, 2024    
7:00 pm
Join All She wrote books in a conversation with National Book Award winner and New York Times bestselling author, Sabaa Tahir, and Booktok’s Azanta Thakur [...]
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Smut Slam
Tue. Oct. 01, 2024    
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 [...]
More Info
Songwriters in the Round
Wed. Oct. 02, 2024    
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 Boston Presents: Carina Round
Wed. Oct. 02, 2024    
8:00 pm
Carina Round brings "The Disconnection" Tour to Arts at the Armory! Get tickets now! carinaround.com VIP Doors: 7:00PM General Doors 8:00PM Show 8:30PM
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Feda Eid Exhibition Closing Reception
Thu. Oct. 03, 2024    
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us for the Closing Reception for the art exhibition by Feda Eid on view at Rooted Armory Café. Feda Eid is a Lebanese diaspora photographer [...]
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Get To The Gig Boston Presents Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers
Fri. Oct. 04, 2024    
7:00 pm
MassConcerts and Get To The Gig Boston present Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers with Special Guest Judy Blank Get tickets now! Doors open at [...]
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Events on Tue. Sep. 03, 2024
Massachusetts State Primary Election Voting
3 Sep 24
SCES Brown Bag Program
3 Sep 24
Smut Slam
3 Sep 24
Events on Wed. Sep. 04, 2024
Cirque Us!
4 Sep 24
Songwriters in the Round
4 Sep 24
Events on Fri. Sep. 06, 2024
Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series presents Lady Lamb w/ Hannah Mohan and Naomi Westwater
6 Sep 24
WYRD: Queer Comedy
6 Sep 24
WYRD: Queer Comedy
6 Sep 24
Events on Sat. Sep. 07, 2024
Somerville Songwriter Sessions
7 Sep 24
Events on Wed. Sep. 11, 2024
Red Cross Blood Drive
11 Sep 24
The Bowery Presents: Daniel Nunnelee
11 Sep 24
Tunefoolery Coffee House
11 Sep 24
Bill Blumenreich presents - Danielle Walker - CANCELLED
11 Sep 24
Events on Thu. Sep. 12, 2024
Pub Sing
12 Sep 24
Get to the Gig presents: A.A. Williams
12 Sep 24
Events on Fri. Sep. 13, 2024
Ian Campbell - CANCELLED
13 Sep 24
Events on Sun. Sep. 15, 2024
GottaBal! Dance
15 Sep 24
Events on Mon. Sep. 16, 2024
POP Presents: Boston Adavu Showcase
16 Sep 24
Events on Wed. Sep. 18, 2024
Songwriters in the Round
18 Sep 24
Songwriters in the Round
18 Sep 24
Events on Thu. Sep. 19, 2024
Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night
19 Sep 24
Events on Fri. Sep. 20, 2024
[SOLD OUT] Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series presents: Meshell Ndegeocello - No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
20 Sep 24
Show Me Your Bits Standup & Sketch Show
20 Sep 24
Events on Sat. Sep. 21, 2024
The Nova Comedy Collective Presents: Nebula Night
21 Sep 24
Events on Tue. Sep. 24, 2024
The Moth: Boston StorySLAM - "Lost"
24 Sep 24
Events on Wed. Sep. 25, 2024
Strummerville Ukulele Club
25 Sep 24
Get to the Gig presents: Deerhoof
25 Sep 24
Events on Thu. Sep. 26, 2024
Get to the Gig Presents: Charli Party 3 [CANCELED]
26 Sep 24
Events on Fri. Sep. 27, 2024
Bill Blumenreich Presents: Beth Stelling [SOLD OUT]
27 Sep 24
Junebug: an Improvised Space Western
27 Sep 24
Events on Sat. Sep. 28, 2024
Cafe Raqs
28 Sep 24
Events on Sun. Sep. 29, 2024
Yesterday's Magazine Live Stand Up Show
29 Sep 24
Events on Mon. Sep. 30, 2024
Bill Blumenreich presents Politics as Unusual
30 Sep 24
Events on Tue. Oct. 01, 2024
SCES Brown Bag Program
1 Oct 24
All She Wrote Books Presents Sabaa Tahir "HEIR" & Azanta Thakur
1 Oct 24
Smut Slam
1 Oct 24
Events on Wed. Oct. 02, 2024
Songwriters in the Round
2 Oct 24
Get to the Gig Boston Presents: Carina Round
2 Oct 24
Events on Thu. Oct. 03, 2024
Feda Eid Exhibition Closing Reception
3 Oct 24
Events on Fri. Oct. 04, 2024
Get To The Gig Boston Presents Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers
4 Oct 24

Upcoming Events

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