Arts at the Armory

Arts at the Armory The Center for Arts at the Armory is a non-profit organization that resides in the Somerville Armory
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The Center for Arts at the Armory (Arts at the Armory) is a non-profit organization that resides in a historic Armory building, serving Somerville and the Greater Boston community and beyond as an accessible and inclusive venue for arts, cultural and community events, exhibitions, classes, and more. The repurposed Armory opened its doors as a community arts center in 2008, and Arts at the Armory became the anchor tenant in the building, renting and operating the main hall and Cafe. The mission of Arts at the Armory is to provide free and affordably-priced space for arts, cultural and community events and programming, and thereby bring diverse audiences together, enrich and transform lives, and promote the creative economy. Arts at the Armory hosts 750+ events each year in disciplines including music, dance, theater, literary arts, visual arts, film, circus, comedy and more. If an event is free to the public, the Armory Cafe provides space at no charge to event organizers. The Armory’s Performance Hall provides an accessibly priced option to performing arts and cultural and community groups of Greater Boston. The Armory Cafe and Hall also provide a vast and inspiring panorama of arts and cultural events to audiences throughout the year. Arts at the Armory hosts dozens of markets including the Somerville Winter Farmers Market, which promote the creative economy, local businesses and community economic development. In addition, the Arts at the Armory Cafe features between 6-8 visual arts exhibitions showcasing local artists each year. The MBTA Green Line Extension to Somerville/Medford was completed in 2022. Visitors and patrons of Arts at the Armory can take the Green Line to the new Magoun Square stop. Learn more at: https://www.mbta.com/projects/green-line-extension-glx

UPDATED Cafe Hours, starting July 9, 2023:
Mondays & Tuesdays: Closed
Wednesdays-Fridays: 12:00PM - 7:30PM
Saturdays: 9:00AM-7:30PM
Sundays: 9:00AM-5:00PM

Want to hold your next event at the Center for Arts at the Armory? Fill out the Event Contact Form to get started: https://artsatthearmory.org/spaces/event-contact-form/

The Armory was built in 1903 by George A. Moore to house the Somerville Light Infantry of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. For nearly seventy years after it was built, the Armory also housed the Massachusetts National Guard. During the last quarter of the 20th century, the building was used for some community events but largely sat vacant until the State of Massachusetts decided to sell the building in 2004. The historic Armory was purchased by Joseph and Nabil Sater, in collaboration with Highland Armory Realty Trust (HART), in April 2004 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for $2.6 million. The building was acquired by the City of Somerville through eminent domain in June 2021. Sign up for our newsletter here: https://artsatthearmory.org/about/monthly-newsletter/

On Sunday, September 20th from 1-3 pm, join us in the ROOTED Cafe for the New to Camberville Mixer! More info and RSVP a...
09/19/2026

On Sunday, September 20th from 1-3 pm, join us in the ROOTED Cafe for the New to Camberville Mixer! More info and RSVP available here: https://partiful.com/e/hm64T0MjerNGqYK8HPz4

New to Camberville is a free weekly newsletter for people settling into the Cambridge and Somerville area. I send an email every Thursday with upcoming events, a welcome series on how adult friendships and community form here, and now, host in-person meetups for newcomers. Sign up here: https://newtocamberville.com/

This first New to Camberville mixer offers you a headstart on friendship, community, and belonging. Join us for a short welcome, a round of small group introductions, and some table discussions grouped by interests (nature and outdoors, music and dance, games, sports and fitness, books and movies, etc.).

I’ll also invite a few established locals and organizers to help point you towards people, spaces, and events that may help you get connected and feel at home in your new city. The hope is that you’ll leave with a new friend or two and ways to get involved in the area. Welcome to Camberville!

On Saturday, September 19th from 2-4 pm, join us in the ROOTED Cafe for Pirate and Robber Ballads and Chantey Sing for T...
09/18/2026

On Saturday, September 19th from 2-4 pm, join us in the ROOTED Cafe for Pirate and Robber Ballads and Chantey Sing for Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Pity the fate! A.J. Wright will present ballads of larceny and retribution on land and on sea, buoyed by historical context and a treasury of trivia. Please be aware: these are traditional ballads about crime, and may contain sensitive content. We are expecting an exuberant and enthusiastic crowd of pub singers in pirate garb for a concert at 2pm and singaround at 3pm, and looking forward to a swashbuckling TLAP Day event of traditional and historical depth and authenticity as well as some festive piratical shenanigans.

Cosponsored by the Folk Song Society of Greater Boston and the Mermaid’s Tavern.

09/17/2026

Tonight. L. Shankar at Arts at the Armory. Doors at 7pm. Music at 8pm. A living legend, a double violin, and an extraordinary ensemble of percussionists: Selvaganesh Vinayakram, his son Swaminathan Selvaganesh, and Amit Kavthekar.

This video clip from Ragas Live Festival shows a glimpse of what you can expect with L. Shankar in a few hours.

Walk-up tickets will be available when doors open at 7pm, Kunal Gunjal will open the evening on his santoor. Or head to the ticket link in our bio. See you tonight!

Or, get tickets now 🎟 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1991410713050?aff=oddtdtcreator

On Friday, September 18th from 3-7 pm, Saturday, September 19th from 10 am to 5:30 pm, and Sunday September 20th from 10...
09/17/2026

On Friday, September 18th from 3-7 pm, Saturday, September 19th from 10 am to 5:30 pm, and Sunday September 20th from 10 am to 5:30 pm, join us for the 2026 edition of the Commonwealth Pen Show! This event features two and a half days filled with great pens and great people. More info and schedule available here: https://commonwealthpenshow.com/schedule.htm

SOLD OUT: Tonight, Wednesday September 16th at 7:00 pm, The Bowery Presents ear with special guest Oral! More info avail...
09/16/2026

SOLD OUT: Tonight, Wednesday September 16th at 7:00 pm, The Bowery Presents ear with special guest Oral! More info available here: https://www.axs.com/events/1541658/ear-tickets

IDM-indebted duo ear operates as a fifty-fifty collaborative art project. Their collage-like approach to production pairs experimental textures with the sentimentality and specificity of their songwriting.

Doors open at 7:00 PM
Show begins at 8:00 PM

Kunal Gunjal, award-winning santoor player, will open for L. Shankar’s Spotlight Concert on Thursday, Sep 17.With the an...
09/15/2026

Kunal Gunjal, award-winning santoor player, will open for L. Shankar’s Spotlight Concert on Thursday, Sep 17.

With the ancient, 100-stringed folk instrument, Kunal has reinvented the santoor for contemporary audiences, while staying true to the centuries old raga tradition he studied. A featured musician on several Oscar-winning film scores, he learned and performed with the late great Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. Kunal has played worldwide, and created the world’s first electric santoor.

With L. Shankar bringing his invention of the double violin, a stereophonic, double-necked electric violin that covers the full range of a string quartet, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear Indian classical music reinvented live on our Spotlight stage.

L. Shankar will be joined by Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Amit Kavthekar, and Swaminathan Selvaganesh. Doors open at 7pm, the music starts at 8pm.

Get tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1991410713050?aff=oddtdtcreator

[Sold Out] Join us tonight at 6:30 pm for Lovestruck Books Presents: Grim Tidings Release-Day Bash with B.K. Borison! Jo...
09/15/2026

[Sold Out] Join us tonight at 6:30 pm for Lovestruck Books Presents: Grim Tidings Release-Day Bash with B.K. Borison! Join the waitlist on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grim-tidings-release-day-bash-with-bk-borison-tickets-1990915675379

EVENT DETAILS

6:30 PM: Doors Open – Grab a pre-signed, first-print-only edition of Grim Tidings with stenciled edges and cover effects, settle in and get ready for a great discussion!
7:00 PM: Discussion Begins – B.K. will dive into Grim Tidings.
7:45 PM: Q&A Session – Your chance to ask the author anything!
8:00 PM: Signatures, Snapping Pics, and Salutations – Meet both authors and get your book signed!
10:30 PM: Event Wraps Up – Thanks for joining us!

On Wednesday, September 16th at 7:00 pm in the ROOTED Cafe, join us for Nothing But The Truth: An Improv Mock Trial!  Ha...
09/14/2026

On Wednesday, September 16th at 7:00 pm in the ROOTED Cafe, join us for Nothing But The Truth: An Improv Mock Trial! Have you ever wanted to go back to high school civics class? “Nothing But The Truth” is an all-improv mock trial brought to you by some of Boston’s most litigious comedians. You’ll see two sides of the same story, then vote on which story seems closest to the truth – and which group of comics is going straight to jail. More info and tickets available on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nothing-but-the-truth-tickets-1999213241623

Hosted by Alice Wiest and Sav Shelton, Nothing but the Truth is a 90 minute improv spectacular based on the storied tradition of the American mock trial.

On Thursday, September 17th at 7:00 pm, the Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents: L. Shankar! More info and tick...
09/13/2026

On Thursday, September 17th at 7:00 pm, the Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents: L. Shankar! More info and tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arts-at-the-armory-spotlight-series-presents-l-shankar-tickets-1991410713050?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Arts at the Armory is delighted to welcome living legend and musical pioneer L. Shankar to the Spotlight Series. L. Shankar is known for inventing the double violin—a stereophonic double-necked electric violin; he debuted the instrument in 1981 on Phil Collins’ solo album (Face Value) and on his own album (Who’s to Know). He has released over 20 albums and dozens of unique and legendary collaborations including many recordings and tours with artists like Peter Gabriel, PIL, Talking Heads, Yoko Ono, Echo and The Bunnyman, among others. Shankar co-wrote the Grammy nominated soundtrack Passion for the Martin Scorsese film Last Temptation of Christ.

Now considered a living legend, a pioneer, and a musical genius, L. Shankar is a prolific international touring artist. With a career spanning decades, L. Shankar’s devotion to making groundbreaking music continues – in 2024 he released two world music albums: Full Moon and Over the Stars, followed by the star-studded pop-rock album Answers in 2025.

For this Spotlight performance Shankar will perform his original Indian classical ragas and compositions along with a handful of classic Shakti pieces. He will be accompanied by an all star duo of percussion including fellow Shakti family member Selvaganesh Vinayakram, who is a two-time Grammy Award winning member of Shakti and also the son of original Shakti member Vikku Vinyakram. On tabla is Amit Kavthekar, a longtime student of the late great Zakir Hussain and Zakir’s father Ustad Alla Rakha. Amit is regarded as one of the top-ranking tabla players of his generation regularly playing with master musicians of Indian music such as Amjad Ali Khan to jazz musicians such as Al Di Meola.

Doors at 7:00 pm, Opener at 8:00 pm

Address

191 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA
02143

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