The Royal Academy is bringing to life the spirit of 1970s California, inspired by American artist Richard Diebenkorn's Ocean Park series, which he painted from his beach front studio in Santa Monica.

RA’s Burlington House will be transformed into a Bevely Hills mansion, complete with meditative kirtan chanting, a ‘70s fashion dress-up space and music by Sky Murphy and The General who’ll perform their unique take on Mod, Surf and Rock ‘n’ Roll cultures that the band dub ‘surf-beat’.

Think street art murals, skaters, martinis, meditation and smooth West Coast soft rock. Sip a pina colada at the SoCal beachside bar as DJs spin smooth ‘70s classics, featuring sets by Club Yacht Rock DJs and Berlin based DJ Supermarkt who pioneered the yacht rock revival of soft rock disco. There will also be talks by skater and filmmaker Winstan Whitter and performances by Joni Mitchell-inspired folk singer songwriter Ellie Rusbridge.

California Soul takes place on Saturday 18 April 2015, from 6.30 to 10pm with tickets priced at £22. 

Ideal For

Beach boys, beach vibes & hippies