Cherry Blossom Festival, Eels games, truffle dinner at Parramatta in August

A popular Sydney flower festival bursts back to life, the Eels count down to the finals and foodies will be in truffle heaven — indulge in a host of events this month.

From the footy to the return of a major flower festival, there is plenty to keep one’s social diary full in Parramatta through August.

Eels home games

As the Eels race towards the semi finals, another win is vital to cement a top-four spot ahead of the September showdowns.

For their first home game of the month, see the Eels take on South Sydney at CommBank Stadium on Friday August 12 at 7.55pm while traditionalists will welcome a day match when the Blue and Gold clash with arch rivals, the Bulldogs, on Saturday August 20 at 3pm.

The Eels host the Bunnies on home soil. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Truffle dinner

That’s right, a dinner dedicated to these earthy morsels while they’re in season.

Parramatta Square restaurant Ruse is hosting a one-night-only Truffle Dinner on Wednesday, August 10 with a four-course menu inspired by the delicacies, locally-sourced produce and matching wines.

Head chef Jay Rao and head sommelier Rudolph Bertin are poised to take diners on an adventure of truffles creating the perfect match of produce and wines in the exclusive menu.

“Our truffle dinner will feature everything from dry-aged duck to a delicious house-made ricotta ravioli, all fused with delicious Blue Mountains winter truffle,’’ Rao said.

“It's a night not to miss and I can't wait."

Truffle Dinner is at Ruse Bar and Brasserie Parramatta on August 13, 2022. Picture: Pacific Venues/Blacker Media

Bertin’s expertise will ensure those enticing meals are complemented with the right drop.

“Our team works hard behind the scenes to source only the best ingredients, and especially for the Ruse Truffle Dinner, to match with beautiful wines sourced from Barossa, Burgundy and Tuscany in our cellar,’’ he said.

Other dishes include mushroom and truffle tart and dark chocolate/black truffle.

The event begins at 6.30pm and costs $175 a head. Bookings are essential: rusebarandbrasserie.com/bookings

Sydney Hotshots

The hunks from Sydney Hotshots are back to sizzle and seduce for one night only at Merrylands Bowling Club on Saturday, August 13 when the Secret Fantasies Tour hits the stage at 7.30pm.

Organisers promise the two-hour production is a visual feast, choreographed and developed by Australia’s leading professionals.

“Our high-energy shows boast the perfect mix of killer dance routines, eye-catching costumes, acrobatics and jaw dropping athletic male physiques.”

Hosted by seasoned professional Paul Reynolds (original cast member of Manpower Australia and Las Vegas headliner), whose “showmanship and cheeky banter with audiences” promises to make for an entertaining evening.

Tickets range from $37.65 – $58.50 at eventbrite.com.au

The Sydney Hotshots get ready to heat up the stage at Club Merrylands.

Bumper Open Day

After a disruptive few years, Western Sydney University will host an open day on Sunday August 14 — an exciting opportunity for prospective students to gather on campus and learn more about university life across three Parramatta campuses including Parramatta Square and Rydalmere.

Fuel your brain with tucker from food trucks, music, prizes and giveaways, interactive displays and chill-out spaces, along with helpful course advice, opportunities to talk with students and lecturers, and tours of teaching and research facilities.

Prospective students can get a first-hand look at why Western Sydney University was recently named No. 1 in the world for its social, ecological and economic impact by the prestigious Times Higher Education Impact rankings.

Western Sydney University prospective students are encouraged to attend an open day at Parramatta.

As part of the return-to-campus celebrations, the university is unveiling its $300 million Engineering Innovation Hub.

Friendly faces on hand to help people get the most out of open day include students such as Nicola Lopino, who is studying a Bachelor of psychological science (Honours).

“I would absolutely recommend that people attend open day at Western — and not just high school students, but anyone considering tertiary study,’’ she said.

“Attending Open Day was the pivotal moment for me; where my future goals were clear to me for the first time.’’

For those who can’t make it to campus, Western Sydney University is bringing the event to them with web chats, virtual campus tours and more.

Sound West

The Sound West festival is back to showcase the best of Australia’s music and technology heavyweights, including western Sydney artists at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, from August 20 to 28.

Rapper Masked Wolf leads the line-up of artists — which features L-Fresh The Lion, A.Girl, Nardean, songwriters Khaled Rohaim and Styalz Fuego, and NFT artists, Serwah Attafuah and Bianca Beers — when he performs during half time of the Eels v Bulldogs match on Saturday August 20.

L-Fresh mentors artists at 12.40pm while A.Girl performs half time of the NRLW match against the Roosters at 1.40pm. Catch the K-TIME DJ set before first grade kick off at 2.40pm and Masked Wolf during half time.

Masked Wolf performs at half time of the Eels v Bulldogs match.

Beyond Saturday, there’s plenty of inspiration. Tech giants Shopify, TikTok, Spotify, Linktree, Culture Kings, Immutable X and Finder will feature in the festival, which will include 35 keynote sessions and workshops on Thursday, August 25.

Australian of the Year, Paralympian and NEC Australia ambassador Dylan Alcott will share his experience building the world’s most accessible music festival, AbilityFest, while Culture Kings CEO Simon Beard will discuss how to build a streetwear empire.

Linktree co-founder Anthony Zaccaria will talk about building a global digital business used by millions of people every day.

Tickets start from $59 plus booking fees.

Cherry Blossom Festival

The heady days of spring are about to bloom and after the pandemic put a stop to Auburn’s fabled Cherry Blossom Festival for two years, Cumberland Council — and Hello Kitty — are excited to be bringing back one of Australia’s most photographed, natural and Insta-worthy cultural events.

From Saturday August 20 to Sunday August 28, the family-friendly event will pay homage to Japan’s traditions, music, pop culture and food while admiring the pink petals as they burst into colour.

This year’s festival theme is centred around love, peace and blossoms and focuses on mindfulness, feeling good and savouring the beauty of Mother Nature.

Visit crowd favourite Hello Kitty and her garden party with themed craft activities, a nine-hole Harajuku themed mini golf course and a Sakura Mocktail Bar where drinks can be enjoyed while listening to a host of DJ’s playing a mix of Japanese and pop music.

Crowds meander through the Cherry Blossom Festival for the booking-only event. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Bring your dancing shoes and join the Flower Rave — a power-packed dance held every morning at the Flower Power Stage, before experiencing Yu Ni On Taiko – a high spirited Japanese drum blended with percussive sounds and festive song and dance.

There will also be other stage performances to enjoy including Ikebana — the art of Japanese flower arranging and Japanese storytelling.

For foodies, The Japanese Food Village takes your tastebuds on a culinary journey with exclusive pink cherry blossom themed dishes to try; including cherry blossom waffles, Sakura burger, cherry blossom lamingtons and Japanese flavoured cold brews, coffee, sodas and bubble tea.

Still hungry? There will also be a huge selection of Japanese fusion food to keep your palate tantalised including the ramen burger, tempura mushrooms, steamed bao buns and more.

Visitor numbers will be capped at the event, which runs from 9am to 5pm each day.

There will be eight 45-minute sessions each day and bookings are essential.

The council will offer free bus transfers from Auburn train station to the gardens or park in the pop-up festival carpark at Tavistock St before boarding the Sushi Express mini train to the gardens.

Visit cumberland.nsw.gov.au/sydneycherryblossomfestival

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