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Jump into summer with June events at the Royal BC Museum
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VICTORIA, BC— School’s almost out but there’s still so much to learn. Stay curious—and ahead of summer crowds!—with a June visit to the Royal BC Museum.
Don’t miss Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises, the spectacular new feature exhibition that’s earning rave reviews from audiences of all ages. The world-premiere exhibition spotlights the mystery, legacy and resilience of one of the world’s great civilizations: the Maya of Central America. Discover a powerful culture that rose in the tropical rainforests of Guatemala thousands of years ago, and learn how science and belief shaped the Maya identity from ancient times to present day. The exhibition boasts the world’s largest and most impressive display of Maya objects including jade, ceramic, gold, stone and textile artifacts never before seen outside of Guatemala. Until Dec. 31, 2019. Included with admission or membership.
For three days, June 21-23, the sixth annual Victoria Indigenous Cultural Festival welcomes more than 100 performers including the Answer Womens Drum Group and the Spakwus Slolem Eagle Song Dancers to the outdoor stage at the Royal BC Museum. Join K’òmoks First Nation artist Andy Everson on a Cultural Tour, browse the Indigenous Arts Marketplace, and enjoy unique treats from the Songhees Seafood and Steam Food Truck. 11 am-6 pm; free to attend, but please note there is a charge for food.
On June 5, the monthly Live at Lunch series heads Back to the Beach. Join entomology curator Joel Gibson for an animated overview of the unique and specialized insects and spiders that live along the shores of Vancouver Island. Noon-1 pm; Newcombe Conference Hall, by donation.
Opening in the Pocket Gallery (off Clifford Carl Hall) on June 6 until August 30, In SafeHands highlights the work of the international charity SafeHands for Mothers. Featuring the photographic work of founder Nancy Durrell McKenna, the exhibition provides viewers with a broad understanding of the complex and devastating challenges facing women in the developing world. Free.
On June 8, 1:30-3:30 pm, Fieldtrippers: In Seine marks World Oceans Day with a demonstration of seine-hauling at Willows Beach hosted by Gavin Hanke, curator of Vertebrate Zoology, and Heidi Gartner, manager of Invertebrates Collections. Previous beach seine events have caught more than 20 fish species, along with crabs, shrimp and other invertebrates. Come see what this year’s net-haul reveals about the creatures beneath the waves. Kids welcome with supervising adults; please, no dogs. Meet at Willows Beach in Oak Bay. From Estevan, turn left onto Esplanade and drive towards the north end of the beach. Park on the right near the large white Royal BC Museum van. By donation.
Deemed “once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences” by Destination Canada, Behind the Scenes tours are limited to just 10 people. Sign-up begins at the information desk one hour before the tour time. On June 12 and 26 from 11:00 to 11:45 am, Mammal Matters will focus on the mammal collection; from 12:00 to 12:45 pm, Butterflies and More will reveal the entomology collection. Included with admission or membership.
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–onsite, offsite and online–taking pride in our collective histories.
