Retirement Drum Party for Frank Annati - Bench Shop

Name: Retirement Drum Party for Frank Annati - Bench Shop
Start: 2025-08-17T10:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-08-17T16:00:00-04:00
Location: Bench Shop

Schedule

Sun Aug 17 2025 at 10:00 am to 04:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Bench Shop | Willimantic, CT

Frank, "Father Time" Annati is retiring, closing The Bench Shop and selling the building. For the last 25 years the Bench Shop has been a mainstay in the African Drumming Community in Southern New England. We have hosted workshops with many master drummers from Guinea and Mali. For 5 years we hosted drum builders from around the world for the annual Drum Builders Conference. Many of the drums that are being played today at drum circles and African Dance Classes in Connecticut were either sold by the Bench Shop or repaired at the shop. Friends new and old are welcome to stop by on August 17th for a last goodby to this special location. Bring a chair, bring food, bring a dish to pass if you like, don't forget your drum!!! Donations for Frank are welcome.