CREST TRUE VALUE HARDWARE in Williamsburg may not strike you as a good-times hot spot, but Joseph Franquinha, manager of the family business, would like you to know that it definitely will be, next week, just in time to kick off summer.
From June 7 to July 11, the hardware store will be the scene of an unusual out-of-the-box art show. Franquinha, with co-curator and cartoonist Rob Esmay, will mix whimsical, three-dimensional art from 90 Brooklyn artists into the shelves alongside merchandise in the 5,000-square-foot space. You’ll encounter much more than just the tape or paintbrush on your list when you run an errand here. The exhibition is the revival of a tradition started by Joseph’s 80-year-old father, owner Manuel Franquinha, which ran from 1990 to ‘99.
“From previous art shows, I remember walking through the store and seeing the ‘Brawny’ paper towel display and had to take a second look to see that next to it was packages of ‘Scrawny’ paper towels,” said the younger Franquinha. “Surprises and laughter fill the shelves.”
His father adds, “Sometimes people aren’t sure if a piece is art or hardware. The only way you can tell for sure is by the price. Hardware is a lot cheaper.”
The event will kick off at 1 p.m., June 7, with free food and drinks and at least six bands, offering many good excuses to go hang with the neighbors. Maybe round up a team to play “I Spy.” Or, as Joseph said, “It’s fun to just let [the art] catch your eye instead of doing detective work.” The store is located at 558 Metropolitan Ave. and can be reached at (718) 388-9521.
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BROOKLYN RESIDENT NELL MOONEY is one of the final three contestants in a reality show, InTurn 3, from CBS. Mooney, who lists her favorite actors as Charlie Chaplin and Robert Duvall, has competed against nine other wannabes in pursuit of the top prize: to become the next cast member of “As the World Turns.” All three finalists will make an apperance on the show, but only one will stay. The Internet-based “boot camp” reality show is taped in Brooklyn. It will conclude June 10.
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BOROUGH PREZ Marty Markowitz has loudly applauded restaurateur Danny Meyer’s in-the-works plan to bring Shake Shack to downtown Brooklyn in a roving truck. According to the Daily News, Markowitz generously offered his unlimited services as food tester. “As borough president, since it’s my sworn duty to ensure quality food in Brooklyn, I would be happy to offer my services and those of my staff as daily food tasters.” Meyer declined to comment, so we will have to stay tuned about when to start queuing up. Meyer is also behind the Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern and The Modern.
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GAIL STONE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy (BYCA), and DIANNE BERKUN, artistic director, are excited to present their young students in three performances of “SoundScapes” this weekend. It is BYCA’s policy that no child is ever turned away because of an inability to pay, with the result that the choir body reflects the city’s economic, racial and ethnic diversity. It is now in its 16th season. The Concert Chorus will perform the world premiere of a BYC commission from acclaimed NY composer Phil Kline at Kumble Theater at LIU. May 30 at 7:30 p.m., May 31 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
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HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT STUDENTS and faculty at City Tech contributed their talents to the Brooklyn Bridge 125th anniversary celebration May 22. Two weeks of hard work went into making the presentation cake, on which were crafted 125 birthday candles. The students also made dessert for 500 VIPs — a chocolate cake with fresh mixed berries, berry coulis and fresh whipped cream — in the college’s confectionery kitchens. At the Tobacco Factory under the bridge, where the party took place, students set up a makeshift kitchen to finish the desserts.
BRIEFLY NOTED:
Robin Tucker-Drob and Ian Hawkins of Brooklyn have recently graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans, La … Borough President Marty Markowitz will deliver City Tech’s commencement address, June 3, 10:30 a.m., in the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
