Fork’s Drum Closet is celebrating its grand reopening with a series of special events this month, including a free concert Friday at its new warehouse. Fork’s, which has served drummers across the nation and beyond for 44 years, hasn’t actually been closed, but the store has been remodeled, the website revamped and the warehouse moved to a building across the street. Fork’s is also celebrating the fact that the business is once again locally owned after longtime manager Daniel Douchette purchased it in December from Chicago-based businessman Steve Maxwell. “There was an opportunity there in my 21st year to take over the ownership, and the timing sort of worked out and coincided with us moving out of our previous warehouse space into this new space,” Douchette tells the Scene. Friday’s concert featuring Lips Speak Louder followed by DeeOhGee will be the inaugural show in the new building. “With the new warehouse, we thought, ‘This is an opportunity to set up a rehearsal/venue/class space,’” Douchette recalls. “And we thought putting two great emerging national bands together [was a good way] to kick off the vibe with a high-octane rock show.” Friday’s concert will be the last chance to see Lips Speak Louder for some time — the duo of Rachel Brandsness and Angela Lese is moving to Minneapolis in May.
6:30 p.m. at Fork’s Drum Closet
308 Chestnut St.
