Texas Star Sporée — A Fungal Fundraiser

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the Texas Star Mushroom, our beloved official state mushroom, at the historic Barr Mansion. This isn't your average fundraiser — it's a Sporée, where fungi fanatics, soil punks, master naturalists, and the merely mushroom-curious gather under the stars and beneath the soil for a night of mycelial magic.

Expect top chef-curated mushroom bites, mocktails, Cocktails, live music, mycological storytelling, a raffle with incredible prizes, and a guided UV night walk through the grounds. Whether you're here for the science, the food, the community, or just a really good excuse to dress up and talk about fungi — you belong here.

All proceeds support our education and recycling programs, Texas Star Mushroom research, and community education.

The Evening

6:00 PM — Gates Open: Cocktail Hour
Arrive to the warm glow of Barr Mansion. Enjoy chef-prepared mushroom appetizers, a signature cocktail, and ambient music while you mingle with fellow fungi enthusiasts. Browse a small marketplace of local artisans and mycological makers.

7:00 PM — Welcome & Anniversary Moment
We honor the founders, volunteers, and community members who built CTMS — and celebrate the Texas Star Mushroom's legacy as our official state mushroom.

7:15 PM — Featured Speakers
Liz Bowman (Mycologist) and Matt Powers share short talks on the Texas Star Mushroom, fungal ecology, and the cutting-edge research ahead. 15–20 minutes each.

8:15 PM — Music, Dessert & Raffle
The band takes over as dessert is served and our raffle opens. Headline prize: a Boom Room 2 from North Spore ($500 value), plus grow kits, farm tours, local art, and more.

9:00 PM — UV Night Walk
Step outside with CTMS guides for a UV-powered walk through the Barr Mansion grounds. Discover fungi, lichen, and the hidden networks beneath your feet. Family-friendly — kids welcome!

9:45 PM — Closing Remarks
Final thanks, sponsor recognition, and a first look at what's next for CTMS.

10:00 PM — Event Concludes

Why We're Gathering

Every ticket, raffle entry, and sponsorship supports:

• Food Equity & Security — free grow kits, workshops, and fresh food access for food-insecure communities

• Texas Star Mushroom Research — genome sequencing, metabolomics, and soil ecology in partnership with Dr. Liz Bowman of UT, and international collaborators

• SporeCorps & Youth Education — Mycology 101 for the next generation of scientists, artists, and soil stewards

Tickets

Tickets are offered on a sliding scale to ensure accessibility for all:

• Community Spore — $35
  Accessible ticket for those who need flexibility

• Fruiting Body — $60
  True-cost ticket covering the event experience

• Mycelium Supporter — $100
  For those who can give more and help fund others, small gift

• Patron — $250
  Reserved seating, lifetime membership, t-shirt, and a small gift

Kids 15 and under: Free (night walk included!)

No one turned away for lack of funds. Contact us for Community Spore access.

Become a Sponsor

Your support makes this accessible, community-centered fundraiser possible. Sponsorships directly fund our soil and food equity programs, fungal research, and community education — and give your business visibility among Austin's vibrant mycological and environmental community.

• Mycelium Network — $500
  Logo on event webpage, social media thanks, name in program, 1 raffle ticket

• Fruiting Body — $1,500
  All above + dedicated social post, logo on print materials, 2 raffle tickets

• Texas Star — $5,000
  All above + naming rights to a key activity (e.g., "The [Sponsor] UV Night Walk"), verbal recognition, prime logo placement, 5 raffle tickets

• Title Sponsor — $10,000+
  All above + presenting sponsor recognition across all materials, dedicated booth space, 10 raffle tickets

In-kind donations welcome: food, alcohol, raffle items, services, and supplies.

To sponsor: Contact us and let us know

Thank You to Our Partners

• Barr Mansion — for hosting us in this beautiful, historic space

• Gabe Erales and our chef team — for donating their time and talent

• North Spore — for the Boom Room 2 raffle prize

• Hi-Fi Mycology & Cap City Shrooms — our foundational mushroom farm partners

Interested in partnering? We'd love to hear from you.