Vans fans: Ready to go back in time? The SoCal-based lifestyle brand is transporting Venice Beach back to 1976 with its free immersive experience from Friday, August 9 to Sunday, August 18. The Black Rainbows exhibit will honor the history of the skateboarding homeland, Dogtown and its connection to the "Off the Wall" company.
For those unfamiliar with Vans' skate story, let's go back to the late '70s — a time of rebellious and spiritual freedom. A couple of crazy surfers from Santa Monica wanted to take their extremity to the next level. Sneaking into local backyard pools, these athletes known as the Z-Boys innovated the California skateboarding scene. Among them was Tony Alva, who collaborated with the Vans family to create a shoe designed for skateboarding. Almost 40 years later, the company continues to represent SoCal skateboarding culture across the globe.
For its 10-day fest, Vans is partnering with a slew of skateboarding legends and taking over Rose Avenue with punk shows, film screenings, workshops, panel discussions, and more. On top of waffle brunches every day starting Aug. 11, expect a Dog Bowl skating section inspired by the backyard pools where Alva innovated the "Off The Wall" aerial move, panels hosted by original Z-Boys, film screenings of The Tony Alva Story, the critically-acclaimed Lords of Dogtown, and the award-winning documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys.
In addition to the exciting workshops, music superfans won't want to miss O.C.'s Fury and Venice thrash band Suicidal Tendences (Friday, Aug. 9) legendary punk band X with newcomers The Paranoyds (Saturday, Aug. 10); L.A. hip-hop acts Reason and Zacari (Friday, Aug. 16), and surf-inspired rockers Mikael Cronin and Shannon Lay (Saturday, Aug. 17).
As far as art, expect photography and artifacts designed by Dogtown legend Jeff Ho and Zephyr Surf Shop owner Jim Muir, to name just a few.
Into it? For more info on how to RSVP, visit here, and see below for the full address and location.
Black Rainbows, 6 Rose Ave., Venice, 90291
