The I-X Center may conjure images of daring I-X Indoor Amusement Park rides or flashy Cleveland Auto Show cars, but come June 30 ’90s rappers Salt-N-Pepa, Vanilla Ice and Coolio will take its stage. Usually playing a disappearing act in the summer, the I-X is getting in the show biz game by reimagining a part of its 800,000-square-foot space into a transitional concert venue from June through October. We raise the curtain on what you need to know about I-X’s new era of entertainment.
Open Air: The I-X Center hopes to not only hold concerts but also food and music festivals by September — utilizing both indoor and outdoor areas. “We could have multiple stages [with] multiple acts at the same time,” says director of marketing Claire Vanidestine.
Sound Check: This stage is enclosed with customizable baffles, drapes and thick vinyl barriers so concertgoers hear the best quality sound. “It keeps sound from bouncing around the facility,” says vice president of operations Bill Perrien. “It sounds like you’re inside a theater.”
Push It: At the I Love the ’90s tour, break out the Hammer and other old-school dance moves on a 40-by-60-foot dance floor near the stage. “With this size stage, you can get closer and tighter,” says Perrien. The venue can also reconfigure for more intimate shows, floor seating or a standing room-only area.
