The heart of Brisbane will pulse with Asian culture next month as the BrisAsia Festival brings a packed program of events to Fortitude Valley and the CBD, with the 14th annual celebration marking the Year of the Horse across 10 days in February.
From improv comedy workshops in the Valley to dance battles in South Brisbane and traditional Japanese music at City Hall, the inner-city precincts will host several key events between 13 and 22 February.
The festival has expanded significantly this year, now featuring more than 350 artists across 17 suburbs with 10 new events added to the program. The Year of the Horse theme, characterised by its energetic and adventurous spirit, runs throughout the festival’s diverse offerings.
Japanese Music Meets Contemporary Innovation
Photo credit: BCC
The Lord Mayor’s City Hall Concerts presents Shu Ha Ri at Brisbane City Hall on 17 February from noon to 1pm. The free lunchtime concert explores the intersection between classical Japanese music and contemporary interpretation, with the title itself meaning to bridge between tradition and innovation.
Dance Battles Hit South Brisbane and Queen Street
Photo credit: BCC
Dance crews will descend on South Brisbane’s VENTspace for the BrisAsia Dance Battles qualifying rounds on Saturday 21 February from 10am to 7pm. The competition, open to all ages with entry from $20, culminates the following day with free finals at the Queen Street Mall Stage from 4pm to 7pm on Sunday 22 February.
Neo-Soul Night in the Valley
Photo credit: BCC
Fortitude Valley’s Mr Vain Restaurant and Bar transforms into the Velvet Lounge on 19 February from 6pm to midnight, hosting an intimate neo-soul and R&B experience featuring Brisbane’s finest Asian DJs.
Comedy Improv Workshops
Photo credit: BCC
Big Fork Theatre in Fortitude Valley will host beginner improv workshops on 22 February from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, an expansion of the festival’s new comedy program. The workshops follow the inaugural BrisAsia Comedy Gala, offering participants hands-on experience with improvisational comedy.
The BrisAsia Festival has grown into Brisbane’s largest showcase of Asian culture, cuisine, art and music since its inception. The 2026 program reflects the city’s increasingly diverse cultural landscape, with events designed to appeal across generations and communities.
Most events throughout the festival are free, making it accessible to Brisbane residents wanting to experience Asian culture. For the full program and booking information for ticketed events, visit the BrisAsia Festival website.
Queensland marks National Day of Mourning on Thursday, January 22, to honour victims of the Bondi Beach attack with silence, lights, and acts of kindness across the state.
The day carries the Chabad Community’s theme “Light will win, a gathering of unity and remembrance,” marking the December 14 attack during a Hanukkah event where 15 lost their lives.
Brisbane residents join 15 Pillars of Light installations beaming nationwide, including local sites, while flags fly at half-mast and buildings glow white.
Community Voices on Remembrance
Premier David Crisafulli said the day offers an opportunity for Queenslanders to stand alongside the rest of the country in remembering the victims.
“Queenslanders will join with millions of Australians to pay their respects to the victims who lost their lives during the Bondi Beach terrorist attack,” he added.
Nick Murphy is bringing Chet Faker back to Brisbane, and this time he’s landing at one of the city’s best live music venues. The ARIA-winning artist will perform at Fortitude Music Hall in March 2026, as part of his A Love For Strangers world tour.
For fans who have followed Murphy’s musical journey—whether under his birth name or his Chet Faker alias—this headline show promises an intimate experience that festival slots simply can’t deliver. With new material from his upcoming album and a setlist packed with career favourites, it’s shaping up to be one of the Valley’s standout gigs of 2026.
What’s on the Setlist
The tour centres around Faker’s new album A Love For Strangers, dropping on 13 February via BMG, just weeks before the Brisbane performance. Recent singles “Far Side of the Moon” and “This Time For Real” offer a glimpse into the album’s sound, which blends the nostalgic, late-night groove that made Faker famous with renewed melodic depth and emotional vulnerability.
But longtime fans needn’t worry about missing the classics. The setlist is expected to feature career-spanning favourites including “Gold”, “Talk Is Cheap”, and “1998”, alongside material from his 2014 debut Built On Glass. Tracks from 2021’s Hotel Surrender and the 2020 comeback single “Low”—which marked Faker’s return after four years performing under his birth name—are also likely to make appearances.
In an intimate venue like Fortitude Music Hall, these songs will resonate differently than they do at massive festival stages. There’s a closeness to headline shows that allows the music to breathe, and for an artist whose work thrives on groove, texture, and atmosphere, that intimacy matters.
The Artist Behind the Music
Photo credit: Instagram/Chet Faker
Nicholas James Murphy, born 23 June 1988, has carved out a unique path in Australian music. He first emerged as Chet Faker in 2012 with the EP Thinking in Textures, quickly signing to Downtown Records in the United States. That same year, he won Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Australian Independent Records Awards, with the EP also taking home Best Independent Single/EP.
His widely recognised cover of Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” introduced his smoky vocals and electronic production to a global audience. The 2014 album Built On Glass cemented his status as one of Australia’s most internationally recognised electronic artists.
In 2016, Murphy made the bold decision to drop the Chet Faker moniker, releasing material under his birth name including the 2017 EP Missing Link, the 2019 album Run Fast Sleep Naked, and the surprise 2020 instrumental record Music for Silence, initially released via the Calm meditation app.
But in October 2020, four years after shelving the alias, Murphy surprised fans by reviving Chet Faker with the single “Low”. Now, with A Love For Strangers, the project feels like it’s come full circle. The album explores themes of heartbreak, uncertainty, and fractured human connections, whilst searching for hope in repairing those relationships—a creative return to his early spirit that deepened after celebrating a decade since Built On Glass.
Chet Faker will take the stage at Fortitude Music Hall on 3 March 2026, marking his only Brisbane appearance on the Australian leg of the tour. The Fortitude Valley venue, known for its excellent acoustics and sightlines, provides the perfect setting for Faker’s bass-heavy, atmospheric production.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday 19 January through Ticketmaster. The Brisbane show sits within a broader Australian tour that kicks off at Adelaide’s A Day in the Gully festival on 28 February, with additional performances scheduled in Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth throughout early March. Following the Australian dates, Murphy will embark on an extensive 21-date North American tour in April and May, followed by European shows in July.
For Brisbane fans, whether you discovered Murphy through his viral covers, danced to “Gold” at festivals, or followed his evolution across both identities, this March show offers a rare opportunity to experience one of Australia’s most compelling electronic artists in a proper live setting. In the heart of Fortitude Valley, where the city’s music scene pulses strongest, it’s exactly where this homecoming should happen.
A massive collection of more than 300 street art pieces has transformed a space in the Brisbane CBD into a major cultural hub for the global premiere of a new Banksy exhibition.
The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” Chapter 2 has officially launched at Uptown on Queen Street Mall, marking a significant milestone for the city’s art scene. Spanning 1,550 square metres, this new chapter is twice the size of the 2023 edition and presents the most expansive collection of the artist’s work ever staged. The exhibition features over 100 original artworks, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the mind of the elusive creator.
Organisers describe the event as a “museum-quality experience” that captures the raw energy of street art. The collection includes iconic favourites such as Cinderella at Dismaland, London Zoo, and the Ice Cream Van. These works sit alongside never-before-seen pieces, creating a narrative that explores the wit and defiance for which Banksy is known.
Beyond traditional canvases, the exhibition offers a multi-sensory journey designed to engage audiences of all ages. Visitors can expect immersive installations, digital mapping, and sculptures that bring the art to life. A standout feature is the cutting-edge hologram display, which adds a futuristic dimension to the artist’s satirical vision.
The show aims to challenge and provoke thought on topics such as politics, culture, and human rights. By combining these themes with high-tech displays, the exhibition provides a fresh perspective on the artist’s influence as a cultural icon.
To make the event accessible to the wider community, organisers have introduced special pricing for the school holidays. Families can purchase a discounted bundle at $25 per person, while a “New Year, New Rules” promotion offers a Duo Pass for $29 per person for a limited time.
The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the experience. Tickets for the general public start from $39 for adults and $27 for children. The visit typically takes between 45 and 60 minutes, allowing ample time to explore the vast collection.
A 51-storey hotel tower has been proposed for the Victory Hotel site in Brisbane’s CBD, with planning documents indicating the venue’s street-level beer garden would be built over as part of the redevelopment.
The development application seeks approval for a 284-room hotel tower positioned behind and above the locally heritage-listed Victory Hotel at the corner of Edward and Charlotte streets. The pub has operated on the site since 1855.
Plans described in the application indicate the tower would be constructed over the existing Charlotte Street-facing beer garden, changing how the ground-level venue operates.
Photo Credit: DA/A006934633
Reverse Podium Design And Tower Form
Architecture firm Bureau Proberts has proposed a reverse or “negative space” podium arrangement, intended to maintain the visual prominence of the heritage pub at street level. The tower would be located toward the rear corner of the 924-square-metre site, with higher levels cantilevered from level six upwards.
Material submitted with the application states the form is designed to maintain views toward the Victory Hotel and the adjacent state heritage-listed Metro Arts building.
Photo Credit: DA/A006934633
Uses, Levels And Site Coverage
The proposal includes hotel rooms, bars and dining venues, function spaces, a gym and wellness facilities, along with multiple rooftop areas. A rooftop bar is proposed on level 50, and a pool deck and day spa are proposed at level 38.
The tower is proposed to rise to about 206.6 metres and would cover around 50.3 per cent of the site, exceeding the 45 per cent site cover referenced under planning controls. Onsite car parking is not proposed.
Due to its scale and site cover, the application is impact assessable and subject to public notification and assessment by Brisbane City Council. Separate approved refurbishment works for the pub are set to start in the second quarter of 2026, while the tower is planned for completion before 2032, subject to approvals.
Tributes have flowed for Brisbane Grammar School graduate Rylan Pribadi following his death overseas, with school and sporting communities reflecting on his life, character and contributions.
Rylan Pribadi, 17, died in Japan on January 7 after what was described as a sports-related accident. He was just weeks away from turning 18 at the time of his death.
News of his passing prompted an immediate response from teachers, former classmates, boarding staff and sporting peers, many of whom shared memories focused on his character rather than his achievements.
Brisbane Grammar School confirmed Rylan joined the school as a boarder in 2022, entering Year 9. He quickly became a respected and well-liked member of the boarding community and later graduated in 2025.
During his final year, he contributed to the school’s premiership-winning First XI football team and served as a boarding prefect. The school noted his friendly and approachable nature, along with his reliability and commitment to those around him, stating that his passing had deeply affected the school community.
Sporting Life and Team Involvement
Rylan was also involved in community football, spending several years as a former academy player with Taringa Rovers Soccer Football Club. The club acknowledged the impact of his passing on teammates, coaches and friends who shared time with him both on and off the field.
Former teammates recalled his dedication to training and his enjoyment of shared successes, particularly during the 2025 season.
Reflections From Teachers and Peers
Former boarding supervisors and tutors reflected on Rylan’s quiet determination and humility, describing him as someone who avoided attention despite his capabilities. Teachers noted his positive influence in the classroom, where he contributed to a strong and respectful learning environment.
Peers recalled his sense of humour, his willingness to support others and his role in building strong friendships across year levels. Several reflected on his presence within boarding houses, where he was remembered for creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
Others spoke of his enthusiasm for football and the pride he took in representing his school, describing the 2025 premiership season as a shared milestone that was closely tied to his leadership and teamwork.
Brisbane Grammar School, its alumni and associated sporting communities continue to mourn the loss of a former student whose life was shaped by education, sport and friendship. Tributes remain focused on his character, his contributions and the lasting impression he left on those who knew him.
A proposed luxury dog daycare in Fortitude Valley plans to care for up to 80 dogs a day inside Brisbane’s nightclub precinct, with firm behaviour rules that allow staff to separate overstimulated dogs or send them home early if they fail to settle.
The plan (DA A006928434) was lodged on December 22, 2025, and outlines a premium indoor dog care centre to be built in the basement of a coworking building on Brunswick Street.
A New Kind of Business for Fortitude Valley
The proposal, submitted by The Houndry Pty Ltd, would see a former office tenancy transformed into a high-end dog daycare, grooming and boarding facility in the heart of Fortitude Valley. Planning documents show the centre would operate mainly during business hours and cater to inner-city residents who live in apartments and work nearby.
Photo Credit: DA A006928434
The facility would include indoor activity zones such as a dog gym, a nature-style play area with textured surfaces, and dedicated rest spaces where dogs can calm down between activities. Dogs would be grouped by size, temperament and energy levels, and rotated through different areas during the day.
The site, located beneath the Wotso coworking space, was selected for its distance from traditional low-density housing and its proximity to surrounding commercial uses. Planning consultants noted that moving dogs from apartments into a managed indoor setting could reduce daytime barking complaints across residential areas.
Photo Credit: DA A006928434
Strict Behaviour Management Built Into the Plan
Unlike many traditional dog daycares, the Fortitude Valley proposal places strong emphasis on behaviour control. Management plans submitted to Council state that dogs showing unsafe, aggressive or overly reactive behaviour would be removed from group play and placed in a separate calming area. If behaviour does not improve, owners would be contacted for early collection.
The documents describe these measures as necessary to maintain safety for dogs and staff, particularly in a high-density indoor environment. Care ratios are expected to be lower than the minimum required standard, allowing closer supervision throughout the day.
The centre also proposes overnight boarding for up to 20 dogs, with staff on-site and similar behaviour controls in place after hours.
Noise, Design and Council Oversight
Given Fortitude Valley’s mix of nightlife, offices and apartments, noise management has been a key focus of the application. An acoustic report submitted to Council estimates barking noise levels and outlines mitigation measures including acoustic ceiling panels, sound-treated walls and airlock entry points.
The report states that predicted noise levels would be lower than those commonly permitted for licensed entertainment venues in Queensland. Planning documents also note that the entire facility would be indoors, with no external dog runs.
Architectural plans show a total floor area of approximately 563 square metres, including grooming rooms, veterinary treatment areas, staff facilities and reception. No major external building changes are proposed beyond internal works and a minor roller door modification.
Growing Demand for Inner-City Dog Care
Brisbane City Council records show more than 105,000 registered dogs across the city as of October 2025, with demand for daycare services increasing alongside apartment living and return-to-office work patterns. Planning reports note that many existing dog daycare centres operate at capacity due to council limits on animal numbers.
The Houndry has indicated it plans to operate on a membership model, similar to other premium dog care providers in Brisbane. Pricing has not yet been released.
Council will assess the application under impact assessment rules, which allow for public submissions before a final decision is made.
When Chief Inspector (CI) Corey Allen served as Officer in Charge of Fortitude Valley Station, he brought something many officers don’t have: firsthand experience of life on the streets. That perspective, shaped by his own stint sleeping rough in Brisbane parks in 1986, would come to define his approach to policing one of the city’s most complex entertainment and residential precincts.
Now, after 39 years of dedicated service, CI Allen has commenced pre-retirement leave at the beginning of 2026, officially separating from the Queensland Police Service on 20 December next year. His legacy in the Valley and across North Brisbane District stands as testament to what happens when empathy meets enforcement.
CI Allen’s path to policing almost ended before it began. Fresh out of the army in 1986, he found himself couch surfing and sleeping in parks while trying to work out his next move. When school friends suggested joining the QPS, CI Allen applied but faced a crushing setback: at 171 centimetres, he was one centimetre too short for the force’s height requirement.
After consulting his doctor, CI Allen learned that spines relax overnight, potentially adding that crucial centimetre to his height in early morning measurements. He returned for another assessment—aided by thick socks—and this time made the cut.
CI Allen reflected that if it weren’t for overcoming that one-centimetre height difference, the QPS may have been a different place.
That experience of vulnerability became the foundation of his policing philosophy. Throughout his career, CI Allen consistently sought out roles that allowed him to protect society’s most vulnerable while maintaining public safety.
His connection to Fortitude Valley runs deep. As a founding member of the Tactical Crime Squad, CI Allen led a unit specifically targeting drug dealing and street prostitution in the Valley and Brisbane City. But his approach differed from conventional enforcement. Rather than simply arresting street-based sex workers, CI Allen’s team focused on diverting vulnerable people away from harm while pursuing dealers and predators who exploited them.
The strategy worked. The operation significantly reduced the number of vulnerable workers on the streets while targeting dealers and predators who exploited them.
CI Allen noted that it was during this time he truly learned that when you offer help to people the right way, an offer of help from a police officer can be very powerful.
When CI Allen was later promoted to Tactician at Brisbane West, performing duties as Officer in Charge for Indooroopilly, Brisbane City and Fortitude Valley stations, engagement with vulnerable persons remained central to his leadership style. Valley locals would have encountered an officer who understood that behind every call-out, every incident, was a human being often experiencing their worst day.
CI Allen’s influence extends far beyond operational policing. Since becoming a firearms instructor in 1988—one of the longest-serving in QPS history—he has trained countless recruits. He played pivotal roles in the Glock rollout, OC spray and ASP baton introduction, and established foundational training for the Public Safety Response Team after his promotion to sergeant in 1994.
His military background led him to specialist units early in his career. CI Allen completed selection for the Special Weapons and Operations Squad (SERT’s predecessor) twice—first in 1989 when he was deemed too young despite finishing the course, then successfully the following year when he returned to prove himself.
Photo credit: QPS
Perhaps CI Allen’s most enduring contribution has been reshaping how Queensland police communicate with the public. Working with negotiators, he helped develop recruit communication and de-escalation training that places dialogue at the centre of the state’s use of force model.
CI Allen explained that police in Queensland are now trained like junior negotiators and are miles ahead of other places around the world. His 2016 TEDx talk, Fighting Crime with Empathy, exemplified his approach to community policing.
More recently, Allen spearheaded Operation Xray Scutter at a Chermside shopping centre, where innovative community-focused strategies resulted in 65 arrests on more than 445 charges while helping staff feel safer at work.
For CI Allen, the memorable moments weren’t the high-profile operations but the quiet acts of humanity: making tea for a grieving mother, helping families through fatal crashes, sitting with people during their darkest hours.
CI Allen said that the jobs he remembers most weren’t the many notable or newsworthy ones, but rather the things where people really appreciated how police handled the situation.
North Brisbane District Officer Chief Superintendent David Cuskelly acknowledged CI Allen’s impact, describing his connection to community and empathy for the vulnerable as fundamental to his policing legacy.
As CI Allen prepares for retirement—likely continuing community service with the State Emergency Service or Neighbourhood Watch—Fortitude Valley can reflect on having been policed by someone who understood struggle, chose compassion, and helped reshape Queensland’s approach to communication and de-escalation in policing.
His advice to young officers captures his philosophy: approach people with kindness, respect and empathy during their time of need. These, he insists, are a police officer’s most powerful traits.
The development of police radio communications has played a key role in shaping modern policing practices, including operations affecting inner-city areas such as Fortitude Valley, as Queensland moved from station-based reporting to portable, real-time systems.
Prior to 1935, police officers across Queensland operated without radio communication and had limited access to vehicles. Officers were assigned duties while at the station and were required to return later to report on incidents. This process limited the speed at which information could be shared during patrols.
In 1935, a temporary one-way radio system was introduced. Police Headquarters could transmit information directly to officers on the beat, whether on foot, in cars or on motorbikes. Despite this advancement, officers still needed to return to their station to complete reports.
The outbreak of World War II highlighted the need for more efficient communication. In 1941, a permanent two-way radio station was established at the Police Depot on Petrie Terrace. This allowed officers to both receive and send information while on duty, improving coordination across Queensland.
The former radio station building still exists today and has since been repurposed for commercial use.
By the 1950s, police motorcycles were fitted with two-way radios, allowing communication while on patrol. Further improvements followed in 1975 with the introduction of helmet-mounted radio equipment, enabling hands-free operation for motorcycle officers.
In 1978, a Ford Transit van was converted into a mobile communications unit for emergency use. The vehicle was equipped with its own generator, multiple radio systems, handheld radios, district maps and a loud hailer.
In October 2013, police officers were issued personally assigned iPads and iPhones, providing quicker access to information systems such as vehicle registrations and checks for persons of interest.
Today, police radio systems are fully portable and carried by individual officers, ensuring constant contact with Police Communications Centres and stations across Queensland.
The progression of police radio technology reflects changing operational needs and advancements in communication. From one-way broadcasts to digital devices, these developments continue to support policing activities in high-demand areas, including Fortitude Valley.
Fortitude Valley’s acclaimed Sushi Room is serving up more than just exceptional Japanese cuisine this January—it’s bringing Brisbane’s culinary prowess to centre court. Chef Shimpei Raikuni returns to the Australian Open for the second consecutive year, creating an exclusive on-court omakase dining experience that puts the spotlight on Queensland’s thriving dining scene at one of the world’s premier sporting events.
The collaboration, part of the tournament’s ultra-premium AO Reserve offering, provides guests with an unparalleled combination of world-class tennis and world-class dining. On 18 January, diners will enjoy unmatchable on-court seats at Rod Laver Arena with uninterrupted viewing, followed by a private omakase experience in a suite beneath the stadium—just moments from the action.
This marks Raikuni’s second year collaborating with the Australian Open, building on the success of their previous partnership. The experience, priced from $2,500, goes beyond just the meal. Guests receive Piper-Heidsieck champagne and private chauffeur service, creating what the Australian Open describes as an exceptional day or evening at the tournament. It’s an opportunity for Raikuni to showcase the philosophy that has made Sushi Room one of Brisbane’s most respected dining destinations.
Raikuni’s approach centres on precision and a deep respect for ingredients, with each dish reflecting his exacting standards and commitment to using only the finest produce. His menu for the Australian Open balances quality with traditional Japanese culinary principles, bringing the energy from Brisbane’s Calile Hotel precinct to Melbourne’s Grand Slam stage.
The chef draws inspiration from masters like Sushi Anamoto in Japan, where he experienced firsthand how effective simplicity can be when ingredients are handled with complete attention to detail. This philosophy of restraint and respect for produce has become the foundation of everything he creates.
For Brisbane, the collaboration represents growing recognition of the city’s culinary scene on the national stage. Raikuni sees tremendous potential in the city, particularly with the 2032 Olympics approaching, and values Brisbane as an excellent place for families, praising its weather, community spirit, and welcoming residents.
In a lighter moment, when asked about his Australian Open plans beyond the kitchen, Chef Shimpei Raikuni expressed genuine enthusiasm about trying Shake Shack for the first time, as the American chain isn’t yet available in Australia.
About Sushi Room
Photo credit: Facebook/Sushi Room
Sushi Room has built a strong reputation since opening its doors in 2021, nestled beneath The Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley. The moody, minimal space was designed by Richards & Spence to feel intimate and theatrical, with every detail—from the produce to the playlist—treated with deliberate care. It’s the kind of place where restraint meets craft, and dining borders on performance art.
Last year, Sushi Room underwent a significant transformation, reopening in May with an entirely new wing that wraps around to Doggett Street. The expansion features a mirrored ceiling, marble bar, brushed-steel alfresco tables, and plush booths designed for extended evenings. The aesthetic shifts slightly from the original space, offering warmth and contrast while maintaining the restaurant’s signature sophistication. With the expansion significantly increasing capacity, Sushi Room now offers greater flexibility—whether that’s a full omakase experience or simply a few pieces of nigiri and a well-crafted cocktail.
