Olympia Theater at Gusman Center

The Olympia Theater at Gusman Center for the Performing Arts is one of the most architecturally extraordinary venues in the United States. Opened on February 18, 1926 at 174 E Flagler Street in Downtown Miami, the theater was designed by John Eberson in his celebrated “atmospheric” style — a theatrical genre that transformed the interior of a building into an open-air courtyard under a simulated night sky, complete with twinkling stars, drifting clouds projected onto a vaulted ceiling, and elaborately sculpted Moorish architectural elements. The theater was also the first air-conditioned building in the American South.

The Olympia's storied history reads like a who's who of American entertainment: the Marx Brothers took the stage here, Elvis Presley sold out 15 consecutive performances in August 1956, and jazz and soul legends including Billie Holiday, Etta James, B.B. King, and Count Basie graced its boards during the golden age of touring entertainment. Today the theater operates under the stewardship of Olympia Arts Miami, hosting an eclectic calendar of classical music, world cinema, community performances, and special cultural events that honor its legacy.

A visit to the Olympia is a Miami cultural experience unlike any other. Check the current schedule at olympiaarts.miami and note that the theater is in ongoing restoration — performances may be seasonal. The ornate lobby and atmospheric auditorium alone are worth the trip for architecture enthusiasts.