Eels matches, Riverside Theatre plays, free family fun at Parramatta in June

Winter’s here but there’s no reason to let your social life hibernate. From family-friendly events to rugby league and theatre productions, Parramatta will keep your calendar full.

From free family fun days to a day at the footy or an evening at the theatre, there’s plenty to do in Parramatta in June.

Slow shutter exhibition

A photographic exhibition that captures the long, taxing lockdown experienced by western Sydney residents during the lockdown will be held a year after the beginning of the deadly Delta wave.

Slow Shutter features the work of Sally Tsoutas at Western Sydney University’s Rydalmere campus from June 10 to September 30.

Margaret Hancock Davis curates the exhibition, which presents images and videos, including Zoom portraits taken at the height of lockdown, slow-motion videos highlighting changes to the urban landscape and face-to-face portraits taken as the region slowly reopened.

Tsoutas, who has been capturing the collective memory of Western Sydney University for 17 years as its photographer, said Slow Shutter would provide an opportunity to revisit storytelling.

Awake dreaming, Cafe, by Sally Tsoutas, whose work will feature in the Show Shutter exhibition.

“Humanity is hard-wired to be visual, so the evolution of storytelling over the last two to three years was vital to reflect the changed state that we were all plunged into, in a world that was locked down,” Tsoutas said.

“As we move away from this slow and quiet existence, back to fast-paced busy life, the slow time seems a distant and surreal dream that we cannot quite grasp or define, but which had positives within in it.”

Tsoutas said the last series of portraits taken when the region was opening up saw her gain access to the private lives of university students and staff – an experience she will never forget.

“These portraits tell us about the relationships, meaning and powerful bonds forged in this time of disconnect, the connections with those dear to us given the luxury of time,” she said.

Slow Shutter will debut at the university’s Margaret Whitlam Galleries on June 9 at 6pm.

It will then run Monday to Friday until September 30 at the Margaret Whitlam Galleries from 10am to 4pm.

Boronia Grove Family Fun Day

Music, roving performers, art tours, sustainability talks and a sausage sizzle are part of the line-up for a fun-filled day out at the Boronia Grove Family Fun Day on Sunday, June 5.

The Parramatta Council event celebrates the centre’s $1.95 million revamp, which includes five new meeting rooms, two community offices and an art space. There is also a social enterprise cafe on the way.

“We’re so proud of Boronia Grove Community Centre – a place that will bring people together in the heart of Epping,” Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis said.

“Come and enjoy a great day out for the whole family, as we hand our new and improved centre back to the community.’’

The community can meet the mayor at a pop-up stall between 11am and 1pm, while local artists will sing while roving performers, dance classes, family garden games and an animal farm will be part of the fun.

A sustainability corner will offer talks about the boomerang bag movement, basic bike maintenance, and tips from the City of Parramatta’s waste team about how to recycle, compost and build a worm farm.

“With spaces to work, relax and create alongside sweeping views of leafy Boronia Park, our multi-functional centre is a great community asset for everyone to enjoy,” she said.

Parramatta Artists’ Studio’s Nadia Odlum and Chris Dolman will unveil their interactive temporary artworks with a tour.

Odlum’s Roll is a “playful” work in Boronia Park and Dolman’s Wandering Troubadours is a series of fun portraits lining the walls at Epping train station.

The free event runs from 10am to 4pm at Boronia Grove Community Centre, 40 Victoria St, Epping.

Ulster American will be staged at Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres from June 8-11.

Ulster American

Described as confrontational and uncomfortable, the Shane Anthony-directed Ulster American is not for the faint of heart and covers a lot of ground in 80 supercharged minutes at Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres.

Following their smash hit run in 2021 at the Seymour Centre, Riverside Theatres and Outhouse Theatre Co will present David Ireland’s provocative and brutally funny Ulster American from June 8-11.

The production follows a talented female playwright, an Oscar-winning actor and an ambitious theatre director who meet to discuss a play that promises glory for all.

But as lines are crossed and the power of Hollywood looms, the love-in threatens to descend into mayhem.

Skewering the powerful and privileged in post-#MeToo showbiz, the “ferocious comedy had audiences laughing and gasping in equal measure”.

Ulster American won the top prize, the Best of Edinburgh Award, at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

See the production June 8 to June 11 at 8pm.

Tickets: Adults $59, concession $55, groups of eight or more $53, school groups/teachers $23.

Thai-Riffic!

Adapted from the best-selling novel of the same name, Thai-riffic! will be staged at the Riverside Theatres from June 28.

The production tells the story of Albert ‘Lengy’ Lengviriyakul, the son of Thai immigrants who own western Sydney restaurant Thai-riffic.

Lengy is about to start high school and is desperate to transform his image and just eat some pizza. When his teacher sets a group assignment that focuses on another culture, it becomes apparent that Lengy will not be able to get away from his embarrassing family as easily as he would like.

Through a series of events involving bulk toilet paper, a purple curry and a trip to the Thai New Year Songkran Festival, Lengy discovers his Thai background is pretty awesome after all.

Nathan Luff’s play is an adaptation of much-loved children’s author Oliver Phommavanh’s best-selling novel from 2010 (it has since sold more than 30,000 copies).

A hilarious and heartfelt play about acceptance, family and belonging, Thai-riffic is one of few Australian-based productions for young people with a story about second generation Thai Australians, reflecting contemporary Australian community in a laugh-out-loud show for all audiences aged seven to 14 and their families.

See the play on June 28 at 6.30pm, on June 29 at 10.15am or 1pm.

Tickets: Adults $35, concession $31, 30 and under $28, 18 and under $25, groups of eight and more 31, school groups/teachers $22.

Bookings via riversideparramatta.com.au/show/thairiffic/, phone [phone], or visit the box office Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9.30am-1pm and one hour before the performance.

Eels v Roosters

The Eels hope to maintain their electric form against the Roosters when they host the round 15 match and only home game of the month at CommBank Stadium on June 18 from 7.35pm.

The Blue and Golds will be determined to notch up a win against the Roosters after losing to them 31-24 on May 15.

A win would keep Parramatta in the top eight and consolidate their top form, which has seen Ryan Matterson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo selected to represent the Blues in the State of Origin.

For tickets visit viagogo.com

Parramatta’s Isaiah Papali’i charges through a tackle. Picture: NRL Photos

Lidcombe@night

Lidcombe’s Wyatt Park has been spruced up and to celebrate, a screening of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse will headline the family friendly Lidcombe@night under the stars on Saturday, June 18.

Round up your family and friends for the outdoor cinema and visit the Western Sydney Wanderers and Western Magpies.at sports clinics and stalls.

OzHarvest and the Rotary Club will serve up food alongside shakes from Blend Bike.

Cumberland Council is hosting the event after months of upgrades and construction at Wyatt Park and to celebrate Lidcombe, one of “its proudest town centres”.

As part of the State Government’s Places to Love program, the upgrades include a 170m footpath between the entrance to Lidcombe Oval and an existing path on the western side of Church St.

The footpath is set to be decorated with murals and public art installations to bring vibrancy to the area. A pedestrian and cyclist respite area is also in the works to allow community members to take a break and enjoy the ambience and serenity of the park. This designated area will be fitted out with additional seating, an aqua fountain and a community bike stand.

Lidcombe@night runs from 5pm to 9pm.

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