A Fringe Finish

In a meeting over keyboards, the cross cultural clash of Joe Chindamo (Italian/Australian piano master) and Iiro Rangala (pianist of the Finnish Trio Toykeat) heralds the finish of the Fringe. The October 17 concert in the Iwaki Auditorium is on the eve of the Festival's last day after an excellent three week program

For the first half of this Fringe Festival Concert, Joe and Iiro will share the stage with two large (nine foot) Steinway pianos playing their own compositions and some standards. It will be the first time these two have played together in public though they have often enjoyed each other's work. One night late at Bennetts Lane they started to jam together on the one keyboard and, as Joe explained, "we had a good time". Joe has heard the Trio play during their previous visits to Melbourne and "Iiro has got to know me from my records." Joe's current success, a Burt Baccarah CD "Anyone who had a heart" has been nominated for an Aria Award, to be judged later in the month.

After the 'duelling' pianists have finished, the second half of the program will feature Trio Toykeat, (Iiro piano, Eerik Siikasaari, bass and Rami Eskelinen, drums) with one of their typically lively and zany performances which earn them acclaim all over the world.

Joe says that although he and Iro come from very different cultures and hemispheres, "when we talk about what we are playing, I don't feel like I am talking to someone from another country." He also finds that although he comes from an Italian background that "the Finns seem to be a lot more Latin oriented in their music than I am." What this means regarding food choices I am not sure but I do remember (from when they performed at Mietta's three years ago) the Trio liked to eat all sorts of food.

To fortify yourselves for what promises to be a great night of music you could try the Scandinavian buffet at Akvavit, nearby at Southbank. Not quite Finnish food but the herrings and Swedish meatballs should be close enough to get you in the mood, the buffet is served from 6-9.30pm and costs $22. Or you could take the 'warmer' option, the Chindamo choice, and have some of the delicious Sardinian and other Italian specialities at another Southbank restaurant, Scusa Mi. Dinner is available there from 6-10.30pm and there is also a light supper menu till midnight if you prefer to eat after the concert.

Eating after performances requires pre-booking and moving quickly. There are a number of restaurants on Southbank which will take bookings till 11pm. After that it gets tricky. Walter's Wine Bar is licensed till 1am and meals can be available until then. But this depends on demand and on the weather, both of which are, as we know too well, quite variable in Melbourne. Blakes encourages the earlier option, offering meals (by booking) from 5.30pm and suggests the progressive approach, that is, have your main meal first, go the show and then return for dessert and coffee.

As yet untried, Mecca, could be the road to a new style of show going eating at Southbank. The menu has a strong Middle Eastern flavour and, as well as listing entrees, mains and desserts (six of each) there is another menu section offering dishes priced and portioned to provide a 'middle' eating path. Chef Cath Claringbold seems qualified to do 'middle' food. She worked with Greg Malouf whose Lebanese inspired dishes at O'Connells are enormously popular and previously with Mecca owners Damian Trytell and Julian Lee at Isis in Middle Park. Mecca was due to open at the end of September but could not operate without gas. When open they expect to serve the full menu including the 'middle' from 6-11.30pm.

Continuing from Southbank further along the water to Riverside Promenade, The Duck, offers a comprehensive and interesting menu until around midnight at weekends (usually earlier on week nights).This is good drinking territory too with an excellent range of quality wines by the glass.

The Fringe Festival Programme has lots other interesting events further afield and in the city. Post show drinking and eating in the city will be the subject of another article soon on these pages.