174
E. Flagler St (at NE 2nd Ave)
(305) 374-8762 (center)
(305) 372-0925 (box office)
Hours:
open year-round, ticket office is
open from noon until 6pm.
Admission/fees
Depends
on performance.
Located
on downtown Miami’s busiest intersection at
Flagler Street and Second Avenue, this 1,700-seat
architectural masterpiece hosts many of the area’s
most prestigious events. Built in 1926 by Paramount
Enterprises, the Maurice Gusman Cultural Center was
the first "atmospheric" theater to be
built in the Spanish style with flourishing towers
and turrets. The center, which resembles a Moorish
courtyard inside with twinkling stars in the ceiling
sky, hosts the annual Miami Film Festival, the
Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, the New World
Symphony, and many other events. Listed on the
National Historic Register, the exquisite building
with the magical atmosphere has soaring ceilings for
the massive pipe organ, and balconies and boxes that
overhang the orchestra.
Throughout the years
it has
maintained its reputation as an acoustically perfect
theater. Opened originally as a movie theater, stars
like Rudy Valle, Sophie Tucker, Martha Raye, Jackie
Gleason, and Elvis Presley performed here. In the
old days it was called the Olympia Theater. In 1970
it was purchased by Miami philanthropist Maurice
Gusman to house the Miami Philharmonic Orchestra.
Five years later, the theater was donated to the
City of Miami. A replica of the original ticket
booth was built in 1983.
Now
called the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, it
hosts several concerts throughout the year. For 10
days in February, the center returns to its movie
roots as the venue for the popular Miami Film
Festival. The festival features regional, national,
and international premieres with an emphasis on
Spanish language cinema.
The facility is wheel-chair accessible
and has a bar/lounge on site.
