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 b

ecame 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/

We are excited to announce our June 2026 online auction is now live! Bidding will close at midnight on Tuesday, June 30t...
06/02/2026

We are excited to announce our June 2026 online auction is now live! Bidding will close at midnight on Tuesday, June 30th. All proceeds will support Arts at the Armory.
Peruse our list of awesome items up for auction and start placing your bids here: https://charityauctions.com/event/auction/1406

On Thursday, June 4th at 7:30 pm, join us for D**e Country: An Evening of Stand-Up Comedy! Strap on your birks because L...
06/02/2026

On Thursday, June 4th at 7:30 pm, join us for D**e Country: An Evening of Stand-Up Comedy! Strap on your birks because Lee & Kate are hitting the roads of D**e Country for an unhinged evening of q***r stand up comedy. More info and tickets available on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dyke-country-an-evening-of-stand-up-comedy-tickets-1988767182178?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Calling all local le***an legends, q***r icons, and trans treasures to join us Rooted Cafe to kick off pride with a q***r stand up comedy show with Brooklyn comedians & friends, Kate Strobel and Lee Robinson!

Lee is one of the hosts of D**etopia, a nationally touring comedy show, and has opened for comics like Rachel Scanlon and Bob the Drag Queen.

Kate is a member of the standup supergroup Firecracker Comedy, and her Kate’s debut comedy album, Firecracker Comedy, was released on Blonde Medicine Records in August 2025.

Strap on your birks because Lee & Kate are hitting the roads of D**e Country, ready to bring you an unhinged evening of incredibly q***r standup comedy!

Join Somerville Media Center in honoring former Mayor Joe Curtatone with our Public Service Award on Thursday, June 4, f...
06/01/2026

Join Somerville Media Center in honoring former Mayor Joe Curtatone with our Public Service Award on Thursday, June 4, from 7–9 PM. The celebratory evening will feature cheeses and specialty bites provided by Formaggio Kitchen, tasty drinks from Arts at the Armory, live music by Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, and a special presentation honoring Joe Curtatone’s longstanding advocacy for community media. Proceeds from the event will directly support SMC’s programs and services. More info and tickets available here: https://secure.givelively.org/event/somerville-community-access-television-inc/lights-camera-joe-curtatone

Join us for our monthly recurring music events in the ROOTED Café! Upcoming events for June include: • Tunefoolery Coffe...
05/30/2026

Join us for our monthly recurring music events in the ROOTED Café! Upcoming events for June include:
• Tunefoolery Coffee House | Wednesday, June 10th at 7:00 pm
• Pub Sing | Thursday, June 11th at 7:00 pm
• Strummerville Ukelele Club | Wednesday, June 24th at 7:00 pm
• Café Raqs | Saturday, June 27th at 7:00 pm

More info available for each event on our website! https://artsatthearmory.org/upcoming-events/

Join us for our monthly recurring Café events this June! Upcoming events include:• West Coast Swing Training | Monday, J...
05/29/2026

Join us for our monthly recurring Café events this June! Upcoming events include:
• West Coast Swing Training | Monday, June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th at 7:00 pm
• S**t Slam | Tuesday, June 2nd at 7:30 pm
• GottaBal! Balboa Dance | Wednesday, June 3rd at 6:30 pm
• Nova Comedy Collective's Nebula Night | Friday, June 12th at 8:00 pm
• Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night | Thursday, June 18th at 7:00 pm
• Improv Comedy: An Evening Of | Friday, June 19th at 7:30 pm
• WYRD Comedy Presents... | Friday, June 26th at 7:00 pm
More info available for each event on our website! https://artsatthearmory.org/upcoming-events

On Sunday, May 31st at 1:30 pm, join us for Expedition Five: A Barbershop A Ca****la Space Opera! More info and tickets ...
05/28/2026

On Sunday, May 31st at 1:30 pm, join us for Expedition Five: A Barbershop A Ca****la Space Opera! More info and tickets available on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/expedition-five-a-barbershop-a-ca****la-space-opera-tickets-1986996795905

A distant future. Earth is nothing more than a hazy memory. Humanity wanders the endless universe in search of a new home. And there’s only one person left who can find it. Come along on the journey in Expedition Five, a barbershop a ca****la musical, written and performed by Vocal Revolution and VocaMotion choruses.

On Sunday, May 31st, at 2:00 PM, Expedition Five will transform Somerville’s Arts At The Armory into a thrilling and heartfelt journey through space. The inspiring story – told through a selection of stirring a ca****la performances – follows a team of explorers who must travel the hostile universe while navigating their own trials and triumphs. In the end, their mission becomes more than just discovering a new planet; they must also find a new idea of what it means to be brave.

Doors open at 1:30 PM
Show starts at 2:00 PM

Tickets: Early Bird: $20 through May 16th
General Admission: $30
Students / Children Under 12: $12

Please note that, as a 501c3 charitable organization, 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales and donations goes back into supporting high-quality music education and hosting stellar community events!

On Saturday, May 30th at 3:00 pm, join us in the ROOTED Cafe for a performance by the Spring Hill Quartet! The latest ev...
05/27/2026

On Saturday, May 30th at 3:00 pm, join us in the ROOTED Cafe for a performance by the Spring Hill Quartet! The latest evolution of the Spring Hill Quartet, consisting of Michael Sherman (violin), Sylvia Lustig (violin), Sam Duncan (viola), and Rae Stephenson (cello), is happy to return to the ROOTED Cafe at Arts at the Armory. They will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, as well as the Suite from `There Will Be Blood`, composed by Jonny Greenwood.

Please join us for this free concert!

This Thursday 5/28, acclaimed artist, filmmaker, and author Tourmaline takes the stage for a special evening at Arts at ...
05/26/2026

This Thursday 5/28, acclaimed artist, filmmaker, and author Tourmaline takes the stage for a special evening at Arts at the Armory.

Known for her award-winning films, visionary cultural work, and bestselling book MARSHA, Tourmaline brings together storytelling, history, and community. As Pride season begins, we’re looking forward to an evening centered on connection, creativity, and celebration.

This event has been thoughtfully curated as a full community experience, not simply a lecture or reading, and we invite you to come early and enjoy the atmosphere throughout the night.

This event has been thoughtfully curated as a full community experience, check out the Event Timeline:

7:00pm — Doors Open
Spend time with our community partners before the program begins: Arts Connect International, Boston League of Wicked Wrestlers, City of Somerville LGBTQ Services, The Dance Complex, and Mutual Aid is Magic. Harvard Book Store will also be onsite with copies of Marsha available ahead of the signing.

8:00pm — Opening Performance by Tara Dikhof
Beloved Boston drag performer Tara Dikhof opens the evening with an energetic performance.

8:30pm — Tourmaline in Conversation
Tourmaline discusses her book Marsha, and the importance of preserving stories that shape culture and community, with a Q&A and book signing to follow.

Our limited 50% ticket discount ends tomorrow night (5/27). Make plans now and be part of this evening. Join us to support independent arts programming and community-centered events.

Get tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979886890988

Dance Complex Tourmaline Arts Connect International Boston Lgbtq+ Museum of Art, History & Culture S**t Slam Boston Harvard Book Store All She Wrote Books Trident Booksellers & Cafe Somerville LGBTQ Services The Theater Offensive Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) Multicultural Arts Center Boston Art Review

On Saturday, May 30th at 7:00 pm, join us in the ROOTED Cafe for Cutie Pie Comedy Presents | IUI: Improv Under the Influ...
05/26/2026

On Saturday, May 30th at 7:00 pm, join us in the ROOTED Cafe for Cutie Pie Comedy Presents | IUI: Improv Under the Influence! More info and tickets available on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cutie-pie-comedy-presents-iui-improv-under-the-influence-tickets-1989174897666

Ever wondered how comedians performed after a few drinks, or joints, or maybe a combination of both? Well that specific and silly question is about to have an answer! Come on out to see Boston’s brightest improvisers dim a bulb (or two) at IUI: Improv Under the Influence.

This free comedy improvisation event pits different teams, and vastly different states of consciousness, against one another. Only one can leave a winner, so make sure you come out and vote for your favorite lit team of the night!

Address

191 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA
02143

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