Description:                                

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.

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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.

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