Goodyear theaters will gain new life

Staff report

AKRON

Two new concert and event venues will open in Akron next month.

East End Promotions, an entertainment subsidiary of partners Industrial Realty Group and Industrial Commercial Properties, has teamed up with the Cleveland-based Elevation Group in the development of the theaters.

The new entertainment complex will feature the Goodyear Theater (seated capacity of 1,458) and Goodyear Hall (capacity of 3,500).

They are part of the East End complex, which encompasses the historic Goodyear headquarters on East Market Street.

The East End complex is a 5.5 million square foot, mixed use redevelopment initiative. In addition to the theater and hall, the development includes the East End Residence Loft Apartments, state-of-the-art office space, and the new Hilton Garden Inn Hotel along with planned restaurants, retail and more.

The first shows at the Goodyear Theater were announced today:

Smashing Pumpkins, with Liz Phair, April 29

Gavin DeGraw, April 30

Jason Isbell, June 4

Kidz Bop, April 27

Tickets for the Smashing Pumpkins, Gavin DeGraw and Jason Isbell go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at Ticketfly.com or by phone at 877-435-9849. Ticket details for the free Kidz Bop show will be announced shortly.

Stu Lichter, president of Industrial Realty Group, said plans call for more than 150 nights of entertainment per year at the two theaters, once they are established.

Elevation plans to book a wide variety of entertainment including: rock, alternative, pop, country, EDM, R&B, orchestral, choral, family and comedy shows.

“IRG is providing significant financial resources to support the renovation of the Goodyear Theater, the installation of the latest and best sound and lighting package and for our team to have the ability to pursue and book the best live music and entertainment for all of Northeastern Ohio,” said Steve Lindecke, Elevation Group managing partner.

The Goodyear Theater and Hall were built in 1920 and were used by Goodyear, internally, for a variety of purposes for nine decades. Neither venue has ever been open to the public for music and entertainment.