Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Ben Arnedo
It's NAIDOC Week 2022, here's how you can take part
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is a call to action – Get up! Stand up! Show up! Co-chair of the National NAIDOC Committee John Paul Janke says it’s both a rallying cry and a celebration of those who took a stand in the past. “It goes back to our very first frontier warriors and leaders through to those who fought for basic human rights from the 1920s and 30s, up until the 1967 referendum and through the 70s and 80s and 90s,” he explains.
Things to do in Canberra (1 - 7 July)
As July begins, it brings with it the opportunity to learn. The school holidays are an excellent time for kids to discover science, art, and perhaps new passions. Check the official sources for the most up-to-date information about schedules and availability. Megafauna: Myths & Legends! When: All month long, from 8:30 am to 5 pm every day Where: Australian National Botanic Gardens Cost: Free. More information here.
Things to do in Canberra (24 - 30 June)
The cold weather in the Capital is finally bringing some benefits. Black Winter Truffles are almost here and any indoor activity that promotes a cosy atmosphere, such as a movie or cooking class, is a hot ticket. Over 120 movies are being screened throughout June in the heart of the city. As if that weren’t enough, the NSFA is hosting its own trivia night with a Hollywood focus and food included.
Things to do in Canberra (17-23 June)
This week’s guide features two unique markets, one for kids and the other for all those looking for great designs from local makers. There are a couple of activities that focus on people and storytelling. There is also great music to enjoy, from the romantic classics to folk and blues. Keep your eyes open for changes to availability as some events are limited and check official sources for the most up-to-date information. Other than that, what are you waiting for?
Things to do in Canberra this week (10 - 16 June)
Warm up with heartening music, renew your wardrobe (without the guilt), join a book club, play semi-professional FIFA or learn something new, such as how cocktails are made. For up-to-date information, check with the official sources. Otherwise, enjoy the exciting things happening in Canberra this week. Shortis & Simpson In American Pie When: Friday 10 June and Saturday 11 June, 7 pm Where: The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre Cost: $45 General Admission / $210 Full Table. Get your tickets here.
Things to do in Canberra this week (3 - 9 June)
Winter is here – on the calendar and the mercury. Outdoor events are dwindling, but there are still a lot of activities on offer. The talented artists behind ‘She’s on the Bill” are raising money to help the flood-affected residents of the Northern Rivers with some cracking music. On the topic of support, the National Gallery of Australia is promoting the visibility of women with a mass edit-a-thon of Wikipedia entries. It’s a win-win: learn a new skill and promote local talent.
Things to do in Canberra this week (27 May - 2 June)
This is a very important week for all Australians to embrace our valuable patrimony. Reconciliation Week involves activities focused on teaching and exploring our nation’s story and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. There is a lot to be assimilated and there are plenty of opportunities to do so. As the theme for this year says: be brave and make change.
Things to do in Canberra this week (20-26 May)
One thing most of this week’s activities have in common is the opportunity to learn something new. World Bee Day brings together beekeepers and experts for a morning celebrating the important role bees play in our lives. Switch the bees for cows and learn how to make cheese (while eating cheese!) or you can visit Dickson and finally learn how to use that milk to make art on a cup. And if art is really your thing, you might want to sign up for King O’Malley’s Paint Along.
Ten things to do in Canberra this week (13 - 19 May)
This week is jam-packed with events of all sorts, from a spooky and funky roller derby to Celeste Barber in full flight. Enjoy a night out with your friends to watch the Eurovision Song Contest, join Renew You’s free Latin dance lessons at Garema Place or draw while a quirky duo sings some funny songs at the Portrait Gallery. The most challenging part will be choosing one event over the other or trying to make it to all of them.
Things to do in Canberra this week (6 - 12 May)
Mother’s Day is approaching, and what better way to express how much we appreciate our mothers than by taking them to a techno party, a footy game, or a comedy show. Mothers will certainly appreciate the gift of an unforgettable experience. OK, maybe that’s not their ‘thing’, so for mothers who prefer simple pleasures, we’ve compiled some ideas for places where you can take her for tea and pastries.
Canberra contestants take the stage to get the chairs turning on The Voice
Around 15,000 hopefuls sent audition tapes to appear on season 11 of The Voice but only two Canberrans got their chance to sing for judges Keith Urban, Rita Ora, Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy: Xanthe Campbell, 17, and Tahalianna Soward-Mahanga, 15. Xanthe has been passionate about all areas of performing arts – dancing, acting and, of course, singing – since she was nine years old and this year decided to put her talents to the test and audition for Channel 7’s reality show.
Things to do in Canberra this week (29 April - 5 May)
The Canberra International Music Festival and Tree Week are the headline events coming to the capital. As the bush capital, Canberra has an abundance of green open spaces, and there’s no better way to reinforce to children the importance of trees than by having fun tree-themed activities for an entire week. The Canberra International Music Festival is also back, bigger and better than ever.
Harm Reduction Australia furious after insurer pulls the plug on pill testing at Groovin the Moo
Groovin the Moo is one of the largest events on the ACT festival calendar. Photo: Supplied. Just 48 hours before Groovin the Moo was set to begin, pill testing has been pulled from the event. Harm Reduction Australia President Gino Vumbaca said the insurance company had withdrawn its coverage and support of its pill testing services, despite “detailed risk management work put together by our team and Groovin the Moo’s team”.
Things to do in Canberra this week (22 - 28 April)
Don’t miss SIX The Musical when it comes to the Capital from Thursday 23 April. Photo: James D Morgan. This is a big week for live shows, dancing and theatre. The circus comes to town with cheer and laughter, and if clowns are not your thing, you can try your luck with the colourful Tudors from SIX or Luka LessonŌĆÖs rewriting of Greek classics.
Junee is choc-full as the online demand for Easter goodies grows
Chris Roe 16 April 2022 14 April 2022 10-year-old Molly Jean says Junee’s giant freckles are close enough to an egg for her this easter. Photo: Chris Roe. As Australians brace for the inevitable deluge of chocolate this Easter, the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory team has been working overtime to deliver thousands of orders from across the country. Owner and operator Neil Druce says their online business has boomed in the past two years.
Eleven things to do in Canberra this week (15 - 21 April)
The National Folk Festival is celebrating 55 years this year. Photo: National Folk Festival. There’s nothing like a gorgeous autumn long weekend in Canberra. Following a couple of weeks of festivals, here’s a more relaxed schedule with the Folkie, exhibitions and an outdoor party to keep the habit fresh. Our museums have intriguing shows and there is a classic rock band saying goodbye to live concerts. For the most up-to-date information on each event, please check the official sites.
New cat containment laws in force from July as ACT moves away from trap, neuter, release
From 1 July, pet cats can be walked on leads in cat containment zones. Photo: ACT Government. New cat containment laws to better protect native wildlife and cats themselves have been warmly welcomed by the RSPCA. They will come into effect from July. Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel announced the Territory will also move away from the controversial ‘trap, neuter, release’ policy it currently employs to ‘trap, neuter, adopt’.
Prove you know your stuff in this week’s Ken Behrens Quiz
Jeremy Jones 7 April 2022 6 April 2022 The National Carillon was a gift from which overseas government? Photo: Jack Mohr. From Bluey to Canberra landmarks, and from the Oscars to the Grammys, put your knowledge to the test in this week’s Ken Behrens quiz. WARNING: This will be updated tomorrow with the answers at the bottom. Don’t peek! A word I know, six letters it contains. Subtract just one, and 12 is what remains. What’s the word? Only one state has not produced a Prime Minister. Which state is it?
Ten things to do in Canberra this week (8 - 14 April)
The National Folk Festival is back this Easter. Photo: National Folk Festival. It is a positive sign when the most frequent word in an event guide is “festival”. This means music, dancing, and fun for everyone is back on the agenda.
ACT COVID-19 cases remain above 1000; hospitalisations increase to 49
Lottie Twyford 7 April 2022 7 April 2022 The number of Canberrans hospitalised with COVID-19 has jumped to 49 from 42 yesterday. Photo: Michelle Kroll. The Territory has recorded 1094 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night and the number of patients in hospital with the virus has jumped to 49. Three of those patients are in ICU while two are being ventilated. Yesterday, there were 42 patients in the Territory’s hospitals. Four were in the ICU, with two being ventilated.
Take home the top award in this week's Ken Behrens Quiz
Jeremy Jones 31 March 2022 31 March 2022 Ash Barty announced her retirement from tennis on 23 March. How many Grand Slams has she won? Photo: Supplied. Get quizzical this week and test your knowledge of Ash Barty, “that moment” at the Oscars and always a bit of Canberra in this week’s quiz! What’s the longest street in Canberra (a thoroughfare with the suffix ‘street’)? World number one Ash Barty announced her retirement from tennis last week. How many grand slams has she won?
ACT records two deaths with COVID-19; daily case numbers continue to rise, near 1200
Lottie Twyford 31 March 2022 31 March 2022 There are now 47 people in the Territory’s hospitals with COVID-19 and three in ICU. Photo: Michelle Kroll. The Territory has recorded two deaths with COVID-19 and 1194 new cases. A man in his 80s and a woman aged over 100 have become the 40th and 41st reported pandemic casualties, although ACT Health said one of the deaths occurred in February and has only been reported today.
Macgregor Primary first Canberra school to move to teacher-shortage-induced remote learning this year
Lottie Twyford 31 March 2022 31 March 2022 A large cohort of primary school students at Macgregor Primary School will return to remote learning this week after staff shortages made it untenable for them to remain on campus. Photo: Macgregor Primary School. A large cohort of students from Macgregor Primary School in Canberra’s north has returned to remote learning arrangements today (31 March) after teacher shortages made it impossible for the school to run its usual programs.
Things to do in Canberra this week (1 - 7 April)
Dragon Dreaming is back with four days of art, performances, live bands and electronic producers in an amazing outdoor setting. Photo: Boaz. As the capital’s cultural offerings expand, outdoor activities, festivals and theatre performances are becoming more varied. Parents will appreciate the abundance of options for kids; at the other end of the spectrum, seniors are not forgotten and can have their own special Play Outside Day at Haig Park.
Eleven things to do in Canberra this week (25 - 31 March)
Bring your furry best friend to train on the dog agility course at Haig Park. Photo: Anna Mayberry. This week’s keyword is diversity. Listen to the most sampled reggae artist in the world and behold the traditional dancers of Ireland, show your support for world peace and make friends while you enjoy a beautiful walk beside Lake Burley Griffin. Find your next read, and support LGBTQIA+ comradery and multiculturalism with the growing community at Molonglo Valley.
Ten things to do in Canberra this week (18 - 24 March)
Damn it! Canberra comedy legend Emo Parsonson’s show is sold out, but there’s plenty more at the Comedy Festival to make you happy. Photo: Emo. Enjoy the good weather and witness as many outdoor events as you can because, as Lord Eddard Stark once said, “Winter is coming!” A number of indoor activities have begun to appear on our radars as audiences are feeling more confident about gathering inside.
Eleven things to do in Canberra this week (11 March - 18 March)
There is so much to enjoy around Canberra this week, inside and out. Photo: Supplied. The options for enjoying Canberra are beautifully broad in autumn. With a long weekend on the way, residents and visitors are spoilt for choice. From the Van Gogh Alive exhibition to the Canberra Balloon Spectacular, a Paul Kelly concert, and the Canberra Racing Carnival, there’s something for everyone. Enlighten will also continue until 20 March, so be sure to check the website for lots of exciting events.
Ten things to do in Canberra this week (4 - 10 March)
Van Gogh Alive – experience art as never before. Photo: Grande Experiences. Since masks are no longer required (although still encouraged) in most settings, and the public is more comfortable with large gatherings, there’s a diverse selection of interesting events that definitely make March the most exciting month of the year (so far, at least).
Ten things to do in Canberra this week (25 February — 3 March) | Riotact
Parlez-vous Français? James Bond with a French twist at the French Film Festival. Photo: Supplied. Canberra is finally seeing more festivals. Restrictions are easing and we can attend bigger events, the best of which are in this guide. There’s plenty to choose from, from live street art to massive illuminated sculptures. But it’s worth checking the official websites for event updates. All weekend 2022 AFLW Patches Asphalt Queanbeyan Cup. Photo: File.
Ten things to do in Canberra this week (18 February — 24 February) | Riotact
Kate Ceberano in concert at Tallagandra Hill Winery – a rare intimate music experience. Photo: Supplied. Summer may have been a little slow off the mark but it has certainly heated up and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. This week, you might like venturing to a winery for a show, or rediscovering your body’s abilities with Praksis.
Multicultural celebration takes centre stage for Queanbeyan return
Evelyn Karatzas 16 February 2022 15 February 2022 Queanbeyan will celebrate 15 years of embracing culture and diversity in the local community at its annual multicultural festival. Photo: QPRC. Queanbeyan Park will come alive with colour, food, dance and song on Sunday 27 February as the 15th Queanbeyan Multicultural Festival hits town.
Back And Forth to Braidwood with Lily Morris
Patrick Johnson 12 February 2022 9 February 2022 Lily Morris. Photo: Beniah Colburn. What if a song could perfectly capture something so unique to residents of Canberra and its surrounds? Lily Morris has done it with ‘Back and Forth’. The 19-year-old singer-songwriter is no stranger to writing about her hometown of Braidwood, from which she finds a well of inspiration and draws coming-of-age tales and honest, wry lyricism. “I’m not very good at being mystical or cryptic,” Lily grins.
Cook up a feast in Dickson with Analiese Gregory's wild, wonderful food
Lavanna Neal 12 February 2022 11 February 2022 Analiese Gregory has embraced foraging for wild food in Tasmania. Photo: Supplied. Hunter. Fisher. Forager. Michelin-starred chef. Goat herder. This is the life of chef Analiese Gregory, and she’ll be at Dickson at the Birdcage Stage on Woolley Street this Saturday (12 February) at 5 pm in interview with Genevieve Jacobs, before she prepares a classic Cantonese meal in front of a live audience.
Ten things to do in Canberra this week (11 February - 17 February)
Celebrate love with The Princess Bride (and Andre the Giant). Photo: 20th Century Pictures. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and there is something for everyone. Take your date to a live music performance or for a stroll around the Greek market. If you’re cooking enthusiasts, you will definitely enjoy seeing Analiese Gregory (from SBS show A Girl’s Guide to Hunting, Fishing and Wild Cooking) cook live in Dickson for the Lunar New Year celebrations.
New grants available for anyone with a green idea
Lottie Twyford 4 February 2022 3 February 2022 The Recylery was a previous recipient of the grant. It’s a community bike workshop that keeps waste out of landfill and helps people make active travel choices. Photo: File. The latest round of ACT Government grant funding available for anyone with a big, green idea is now open.
11 things to do in Canberra this week (4 February — 10 February) | Riotact
Light and colour is returning to Canberra after the COVID-19 shutdowns. Photo: File. The start of February feels like a reawakening for the city as more events announce their rescheduled dates, and more people make plans to enjoy activities in the nation’s capital. For those who find outdoor events more appealing at the moment, there are plenty of activities in Dickson for the Lunar New Year celebrations of the Year of the Tiger, as well as the inaugural Chilli Festival in Gold Creek.
'A big party at my house': take a peek inside Canberra's growing streaming community
Ben Arnedo 1 February 2022 1 February 2022 SledgeTeeVee began streaming when he broke his leg in 2019. Photo: Supplied. Have you ever wondered just exactly what people did in lockdown? When the world shut its doors and forced us to learn how to bake bread, marathon Lord of the Rings, or catch up on 10 years of video games, how did people congregate? Outside of stifling video chats, cringe-inducing care reactions and condescending videos from celebrities, people have increasingly turned to streamers.
Nine things to do in Canberra this week (28 January – 3 February) | Riotact
Lunar New Year celebrations start this week. Photo: Supplied. As the first month of 2022 comes to a close, the Canberra community gets ready for Lunar New Year. This week, the city is going to be jam-packed with celebrations of the Water Tiger, from live music to cultural performances. If that’s not for you, spend some “me-time” watching something by Abbas Kiarostami, learning nature weaving, or maybe trying Praksis in the park.
Board gamers unite! Cancon 2022 returns to Canberra this weekend
Canberra’s annual board games convention, Cancon, returns this weekend of 22-24 January. Photo: Canberra Games Society. For more than 40 years, Canberra’s annual Cancon games convention has delivered the latest and greatest in board games for newcomers and seasoned veterans alike. During COVID-19 lockdowns, many of us reached for the games cupboard in search of Monopoly or Scrabble to pass the time.
Nine things to do in Canberra this week (21 – 27 January)
Head to Weston Creek Tennis Club for the Australian Open Summer of Tennis Party on Thursday, 27 January. Photo: Zelda Green Photography. Who said there’s nothing to do in Canberra in January? There’s lots to see and do for grown-ups and for kids alike, from tennis parties to nostalgia-inducing music and performances. Count down Australia’s Hottest 100 craft beers, taste Lake George Winery’s new pink bubbles, take the kids for a walk or escape the heat by staying indoors and playing board games.
Lions and tigers and food, oh my! Celebrate Lunar New Year in Dickson
Ben Arnedo 18 January 2022 17 January 2022 Lion dancer on Cape and Woolley St. Photo: Gupi de Zavalia. As part of the Lunar New Year festival and to celebrate the Year of the Tiger, Dickson will be transformed by an outdoor festival featuring performances, food, music and workshops. This multicultural celebration will run from 27 January to 12 February and will include entertainment for the whole family starting at 6 pm Thursday through Saturday, along with workshops on Saturdays.
Lucy Sugerman on love and disappointment
Ben Arnedo 9 January 2022 9 January 2022 Lucy Sugerman was recently given a Women in Music Mentorship by the Australian Music Industry Council. Photo: Harry Chalker. In her early teens she captured TV audiences with her voice, but opted to forgo the quickest path to fame to walk her own path. Now, Lucy Sugerman sings about growing up and the need to heal oneself.
Lonsdale Street becomes the new stage for disco and house producers
Ben Arnedo 14 December 2021 13 December 2021 Loosen Up is a free street party that’s been running every Friday night since mid-November at Lonsdale Street Cafe. Photo: Benjamin ‘Buda’ Arnedo. As we prepare to close out another year, the Soul Defender is preparing to again transform Lonsdale Street (part of it, at least) into a free listening party for hot new house music and disco beats, bubbles included.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Ben
Contact Ben, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack