At the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, you can see the night sky’s swath of twinkling stars even as you sit indoors. Created in the 1920s, this theater features hundreds of small lights embedded in the ceiling, creating the illusion of a night sky. The credit for this theater’s remarkable design goes to John Eberson, and this is one of his few theaters to remain standing today. The architectural style is reminiscent of a Mediterranean amphitheater, but it is nonetheless unique in terms of its specific application. The builders managed to create the illusion of an outdoor amphitheater inside, and at the same time gave the place stunning acoustics. Furthermore, lest you imagine that the focus on acoustics affected visibility, every single one of the nearly 2,000 seats has a good line of sight to the stage.

This venue is, quite simply, one of the best in south Florida for the performing arts. It plays host to large annual events that fill the house. The Miami Film Festival and the Miami Latin Jazz Festival are among the most important, and have become local institutions. Beyond the annual special events, there is a never-ending calendar of fine music and theater. Musicians of international fame, including Elvis Presley, Bebo Valdes and Luciano Pavarotti, have all performed here.