In the decade since his tragic death, the legend of the Ginger Ninja – aka Nicholas Sofer-Schreiber aka Nicky – has spread far and wide.
The missed punk rocker’s friends have hosted two music festivals in his honour – Dansonfest and Gingerfest – with the latter boasting performances from the likes of America’s Jeff Rosenstock (Bomb the Music Industry!), Bodyjar, 28 Days and Jay & Lindsay from Frenzal Rhomb.
Bec Stevens, Clowns, Hightime, Totally Unicorn, Fait Accompli, Gay Paris, The Hard Aches and Super Best Friends have all rocked a Gingerfest set, but it was the inaugural Dansonfest in April 2014, where Nicky’s closest mates in the Canberra and Sydney punk scenes first came together to rock in his name, just five months after losing him at 27.
It’s in that spirit that The Noise Floor is bringing back Dansonfest on 11 May 2024 at The Baso Canberra (Ngunnawal & Ngambri Country), with a DIY punk rock bonanza supported by Capital Brewing Co, BMA Mag and Spy. Tickets are available now from Oztix.
“For those who never met Nicky, he was at every gig, supporting bands big and small, new and old, getting in your ear, bigging you up whether you were on stage or in the crowd. You’d say “Cheers!” to him and he’d respond with, ‘Ted Danson!’. So that’s why we called it Dansonfest.” Joel Cabban DANSONFEST
Headlined by Captives (Melbourne/Naarm), Ess-Em (Sydney/Eora) and Nerdlinger (Sydney/Eora), more than a dozen bands and acoustic acts will play across three stages, with the bar staff pumping out good beers and Chompys burgers and snacks from 4pm.
In the lead up, organisers are asking people to share their favourite Gingerfest and Dansonfest memories (via @Dansonfest.cbr and #Dansonfest) and above all, their memories of Canberra’s most enthusiastic little brother, The Ginger Ninja. Tickets HERE
