VICTORIA, BC — Deadly, delicious, and undoubtably fascinating, fungi are the star of the show at the Royal BC Museum’s Fungi Fest, October 18–28. Featuring activities, films and lectures celebrating the marvelous, mysterious world of mycelium, Fungi Fest combines education and entertainment for something everyone can enjoy.
The festivities kick off October 18 with Live at Lunch Fungi Fest: Mycoheterotrophs, featuring Mushrooms of British Columbia co-author Andy MacKinnon.
“BC has more species of mushrooms than any other province or territory, more than 3,400 species and counting,” says MacKinnon. “They're big and small, and adorned in all colours of the rainbow. They're critically important in our province's ecosystems—without our forest fungi, for example, BC wouldn't have forests. They're also important for British Columbians who value them as food, as medicine, or as a source of dye for fabric art. And many people simply admire them for the beauty they bring into our lives.”
MacKinnon, alongside Mushrooms of BC co-author Kem Luther, is known for taking a practical and playful approach when sharing his knowledge of mushrooms with fellow fungi enthusiasts. Their book with colour images and detailed information on more than 350 different species of fungi has become the foremost field guide for west coast mushroom hunters.
Experience the interconnectedness of it all with the opening of Fungi: The Web of Life, October 20 at IMAX® Victoria. Discover the mysterious world of mushrooms hidden just out of sight through the gigantic glory of IMAX.
Andy’s back October 21 with a chance to hunt for some of the 3,000 different species of mushrooms found in BC. Join one of the province’s foremost fungi experts at Fieldtrippers: Fungus Among Us.
“I'm excited for the museum's Fungi Fest because it will bring together live events, movies, forays and talks, all about BC's mushrooms,” says MacKinnon. “Fungi Fest should be a fun-filled week for children of all ages.”
Fungi Fest continues October 22 with two great events. First, the 2023 South Island Mycological Society Annual Mushroom Show. Experts will be on hand to talk all things fungi and share displays of hundreds of identified macrofungi. Running alongside is the Blotted Line Mushroom Painting lesson in the Art Class for Adults series. Combining blotted line sketches with basic printmaking, this unique process captures the delicate, earthy beauty of mushrooms.
Fungi Fest wraps up October 28 with a lecture on author Beatrix Potter. “Drawn to Mushrooms,” presented by lecturer Spencer W. Stuart, delves into Potter’s lesser-known involvement with the study of mycology through scientific illustrations and writing.
Whether they adding flavor and texture to a meal, being used to add colour to fabrics, or wreaking havoc on your drywall, mushrooms are an integral part of life as we know it. So, gather your fungi fanboys and girls and head down to Fungi Fest at the Royal BC Museum.
Media are invited to an advanced screening of Fungi: The Web of Life on October 18 or 19 at 7:15 PM. If you would like tickets set aside for you, please RSVP to news@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca. Andy MacKinnon is also available to speak to media leading up to Fungi Fest.
Schedule:
- Wednesday, Oct. 18, 12–1 PM — Live at Lunch Fungi Fest: Mycoheterotrophs — INFO
- Friday, Oct. 20 — Fungi: The Web of Life — 2D TICKETS|3D Tickets
- Saturday, Oct. 21, 1:30–3 PM — Fieldtrippers: Fungus Among Us — SOLD OUT
- Sunday, Oct. 22, 1–4 PM — Art Class for Adults: Blotted Line Mushroom Paintings — SOLD OUT
- Saturday, Oct. 28, 2–3:30 PM — Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Mushrooms — TICKETS
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About the Royal BC Museum: The Royal BC Museum explores the province’s human history and natural history, advances new knowledge and understanding of BC, and provides a dynamic forum for discussion and a place for reflection. The museum and archives celebrate culture and history, telling the stories of BC in ways that enlighten, stimulate and inspire. Located in Victoria on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen (Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations), we are a hub of community connections in BC—on-site, off-site and online—taking pride in our collective histories.
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