Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) will welcome acclaimed First Nations singer-songwriter and Wuthathi, Meriam and Yadighana woman, Toni Janke, to the Cremorne Theatre for a special night of a spiritual storytelling on 2 April 2026.
Presented in collaboration with Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC), Inheritance is Toni’s personal invitation to the audience to share an intimate conversation that transcends the stage.
Her debut on the Cremorne Theatre stage, Toni’s Inheritance is a bold and theatrical production that will welcome rising First Nations dancers Tjilala Brown-Roberts and Harold Pascoe with choreography by the acclaimed Jeanette Fabila of Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Dance Clan. Championed by the expertise of celebrated Cultural Advisor Ruth Ghee and Dramaturg Dr Angelina Hurley, one pivotal question guides this performance - ‘What do we truly inherit – and what will we choose to pass on?’.
Using the metaphor of a ‘precious jewel’ gifted down through generations, Inheritance answers this guiding question by exploring the intangible treasures of ancestry and how stories, values and worldviews shape our understanding of self, belonging, and purpose.
Janke creates a dynamic fusion of spoken word and song through heartfelt ballads, soul-infused lyricism and vibrant acoustic soundscapes to illuminate the beauty and fragility of the human experience.
Toni shared how Inheritance is a soul-to-soul exchange that offers audiences universal truths about love, loss, and the power of reconnection.
“When I was growing up, singing and storytelling were such an important part of our culture, and still are today.
“While spoken word can convey truth, music and song captivates the spirit. Together they weave memory, history, and emotion into something that you don’t just hear — but you actually feel and experience.
“Inheritance is about reclaiming voice and visibility. It’s about showing that advocacy and artistry are not separate — they’re intertwined.
“I’m really looking forward to performing in the Cremorne Theatre, which has been a special and vibrant space for First Nations voices for many years.”
Tickets are on sale now – find out more at qpac.com.au or via 136 246.
This project is supported by Creative Australia. BEMAC is a subsidiary of SSI and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
About Toni Janke
Toni Janke is a celebrated First Nations artist and proud descendant of the Wuthathi, Yadhaigana, and Meriam peoples of Cape York and Murray Island.
In 2024 she received an Australian Women in Music Award for promoting inclusion and cultural diversity for First Nations women in the music industry.
Janke’s remarkable career spans over 35 years across music, arts, and First Nations advocacy. Her discography includes Hearts Speak Out (1993), The Brink (2000), Jewel of the North (2004), and Eternal (2021).
Janke serves as Chairperson of QMusic's BigSound Goolwal Goolwal program, Brisbane Powerhouse's First Nations Advisory Committee, and is a member of the National Indigenous Media Awards Leadership Group and the Indigenous Advisory Council of beverage corporation, Lion.
About BEMAC
The Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC) transforms the artistic landscape by building bridges across cultural traditions, creating platforms for diverse voices, and nurturing the innovative potential that emerges when artists connect across boundaries.
Through culturally safe frameworks and artist-centred support, BEMAC actively dismantles barriers between traditional and contemporary expressions while empowering artists to shape new creative pathways.
BEMAC is a subsidiary of SSI and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Inheritance is about reclaiming voice and visibility. It’s about showing that advocacy and artistry are not separate — they’re intertwined.
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