International Exposition (I-X) Center, the ninth largest convention center in North America and already one of the world’s most unique venues, is expanding the bill.
I-X Center has designed and installed a state-of-the art live performance space where acoustically treated sound walls, elevated telescopic seating and custom staging all scale to various flexible configurations.
Every structural element can move to create extraordinary sightlines and exceptional acoustics in a 3,500 capacity Theater or a 7,000 capacity Arena.
During its nearly 30-year history, I-X Center has hosted over 1,500 events. Situated between five freeway systems and adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, with 7,500 convenient parking spaces onsite, the building offers unparalleled accessibility for both production operations and attending public.
“Previously, our barriers attracting major concert promoters and national touring acts, included a lack of elevated seating and the sound quality in this industrial complex”, said Jeremy Levine, I-X Center Vice President of Business Development, and creative force behind this project. Levine continued, “We now offer a state-of the art performance space with remarkable flexibility and world class sound.
The acoustical environment has already blown away expectations and will only get better as we tweak the room.”
Within the 2.2 million square foot convention center complex, this new performance space is a 300’ x 400’ enclosed area, defined by floor-to-ceiling acoustic drapery and mass loaded sound panels, that can be installed and dismantled with relative ease via truss and motors. A vertical drape ‘canopy’ is flown from the ceiling at various heights over audience footprint, to absorb and deflect sound.
Custom portable telescopic units, featuring comfortable black naugahyde seats and cup holders, can move around to provide 2,592 elevated seats in various layouts. Combined with flat floor seating and/or standing room, audience capacities significantly increase.
The result is an acoustically treated temporary room inside the existing building, tailored specifically to audience size. Enhancing intimacy of the performance and delivering an incredible customer experience.
Levine adds, “I-X Center’s new transitional Arena/Theater is a wonderful addition to the facility that already hosts large trade and consumer shows, as well as, our growing portfolio of self-produced events. We’re extremely excited with the capability to add live concerts, family shows, theatrical productions and corporate events to our calendar, while I-X Center continues to serve as an economic and entertainment engine for Northeast, Ohio.”
Cleveland’s newest venue will be available beginning spring of 2016 for graduations, corporate functions and ancillary events during the Republican National Convention, in addition to live concerts and touring productions. An expanded flat floor festival plan can accommodate 23,700 guests in a single indoor room.
Venue Coalition
I-X Center has engaged the services of VC Strategic Partners, a division of Venue Coalition, to develop content and introduce this new venue to the live performance industry. Venue Coalition works with a group of leading venues throughout North America and acts as a booking advocate for these venues by reaching out to key decision makers including agents, promoters and producers in the live events industry.
Jeff Apregan, President of Venue Coalition, Inc. stated, “We’re excited to be working with the I-X Center in Cleveland to introduce the market to this new performance space. This new venue will offer multiple venue configurations and can host intimate reserved seat shows for 3,000 to 5,500 with GA capacities that are much greater. Imagine an indoor music festival for 23,000! Best of all, when you step off your plane at the airport next door, you are only 5 minutes away from the backstage area.”
Sneak Preview
I-X Center will introduce this new venue to the public on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 with a sneak preview of what guests can expect starting next spring. Just in time for Halloween, “Cleveland’s Biggest Costume Party” will feature national recording artists Here Come the Mummies, preceded by local favorites Pop Rocks Cleveland. Showtime is 8PM. Doors open at 6:30PM. Ages 18 and older welcome.
General Admission Tickets are $20.00 AVAILABLE NOW online at www.ixcenter.com and Discount Drug Mart, the Official Ticketing Retail Sponsor of Select I-X Center Shows. Tickets are only $10.00 for guests wearing a costume!
