Emma Donovan - Take Me To The River
Schedule
Fri Jan 16 2026 at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
UTC+11:00Location
City Recital Hall, Sydney | Sydney, NS
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One of Australia’s finest talents reimagines soul classics. Over a celebrated career, Emma Donovan has enchanted audiences with her mesmerising voice and commanding stage presence. At Sydney Festival, she brings Take Me to the River to life – a tribute to the timeless soul classics that shaped her music and scored the memories of an entire generation.
A proud Gumbaynggirr and Noongar woman, Donovan began her musical journey at the age of seven, performing with her family’s band, The Donovans. She later co-founded the Indigenous trio Stiff Gins and recorded multiple albums with soul collective The Putbacks, while also carving her own path as a solo artist.
From soaring anthems to tender ballads, this night is a powerful tribute to the soul music that continues to flow through generations. Don’t just follow Emma to the river, dive in as the vocal powerhouse reimagines enduring songs made famous by legendary Black American artists Al Green, Aretha Franklin and Ann Peebles, infusing them with her own spirit and story.
“One of those voices that stops you in your tracks – soulful, powerful and deeply moving.”
ROLLING STONE AUSTRALIA
“The always-outstanding Emma Donovan delivers every single syllable with emotional heft and the utmost care.”
THE MUSIC
Important Information:
Duration: 2 hours (with interval)
Recommended for all ages.
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Where is it happening?
City Recital Hall, Sydney, AustraliaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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