Chances are you’ve seen the grand and majestic Maltz Performing Arts building. You can’t really miss it. With its large gold dome and soaring spaces, the Byzantine-style structure is a city and country landmark. It serves as the main performance venue of the Case Western Reserve music department but also holds special events and performances like the enchanting Candlelight concerts.
Located on the Hough and University Circle border at Silver Park, you can easily take public transport to get there. The 9 and 11 buses will take you directly to the center from downtown. If you’re taking your car, parking passes can be pre-purchased at the venue’s website. What’s more, a free shuttle service is offered for Maltz Center events from September to May. Shuttles depart from outside the Tinkham Veale University Center Linsalata Entrance.
Facts, Curiosities and Interesting Things about Maltz Performing Arts Center
1. Tifereth Israel was founded in 1850 but the congregation building was completed in 1924.
Tifereth Israel is a Reform Jewish congregation that was first formed in Cleveland in the 19th century. Because the number of followers grew rapidly, the congregation leaders decided to contract renowned architect Charles Greco of Boston to design a greater and more welcoming building. The structure was finally completed in 1924 after two years of construction.
2. Silver Hall is still used by the local Jewish congregation for yearly religious and special events.
The monumental space served as the home synagogue for the Tifereth-Israel until it moved to its current location in suburban Beachwood in the 1970s. Although Silver Hall, Maltz’ auditorium named after Rabbi Silver, is no longer the main place of worship, it is still used by the congregation for large-scale annual religious events.
3. This Cleveland landmark features a Charles R. Greco design in Byzantine style.
Architect Charles Greco of Boston was tasked with the creation of the building’s design. The structure was meant to include circular shapes, which in Jewish faith express the idea of the unity of God. Today, the temple’s large gold dome is a landmark in the Upper Chester and University Circle neighborhoods. In 1974 the building was also added to the National Register of Historic Places list.
Candlelight concerts at the Maltz Performing Arts Center
The impressive Cleveland venue is also one of the selected spaces that hosts the enchanting Candlelight concerts in the city. With its spacious auditorium and state-of-the-art AV equipment, the Maltz Center is the perfect spot for intimate, classical tributes to some of the most successful contemporary artists and most renowned composers. This season, you can catch magical homages to Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Queen and more.
What else can you do at the Maltz Performing Arts Center?
When it’s not being used for Case Western Reserve University lectures and performances and the occasional Temple-Tifereth Israel religious event, the Maltz Performing Arts Center hosts countless events. From classical, jazz and gospel concerts to live theater and lectures, whatever cultural activity you can think of, they probably have it on their calendar.
Only to name a few, there’s the popular Silver Hall Concert Series, Keyboard Conversations® and William N. Skirball Writers Center Stage. However, you can also rent the facility for your next production, conference, recital or gala.
Cleveland has its fair share of event venues, but none of them combines spirituality with the arts like the Maltz Performing Arts Center. The imposing venue has it all, stunning architecture, history and charm. There’s no better place for catching a show or a concert and with this many spellbinding Candlelight concerts to choose from, you are guaranteed to have a good time.