Kateryna Topol –
We sat by the window on the second floor of The Churchmouse, A Firkin Pub located at 475 Church St. MacKenzie Clark, the pub’s General Manager, and Graham Scott Fleming to either side of me carried out a friendly banter reflecting on how this project came about. The two of them riffing off each other is like a game of ping-pong. The pair have been friendly for eight years and lost touch during the pandemic but a single social media exchange triggered a fortunate series of events.
Graham Scott Fleming has a rich theatre background with roles in shows like Kinky Boots, Hair, RENT, and a Broadway production of Miss Saigon in New York, to name just a few. Fleming always had a passion for music and found his way back to it during the pandemic when the theatre world came to a still. Since then, Fleming received a CMAOntario Rising Star nomination for original music and is currently splitting his time between songwriting and performing.
MacKenzie Clark, who’s been with The Churchmouse for 14 years, ran the live show idea by the Firking Pub headquarters and received full support taking it as a sign to invest in the show properly. Every Thursday the second floor of The Churchmouse is transformed into a concert space. The stage is set by the window at the front with the spotlights streaming down from above the staircase and the fog machine setting the mood – Country Crush is not background music, it’s the main event.
The pre-show begins at 8 PM and at this time Fleming makes his rounds across the room, meeting guests, taking requests, and facilitating conversations. “Every Thursday night is a social night, when I’m on stage one of the first things I say is meet a stranger, talk to somebody you don’t know,” Fleming shared speaking to the value of bringing social interactions back to life after the pandemic.
Throughout the evening Fleming performs his original songs and a wide range of covers not all of which are country. The show format is quite flexible leaning into what the evening calls for. Each week Fleming also invites a special guest from his theatre circle to take the stage for a duet. Mirvish stars like Mariah Campos from Titaníque and Rock of Ages have been spotted in The Churchmouse in the past. The shared goal for both Clark and Fleming is to create a safe and interactive space where guests can share the experience with locals and celebrities alike. “The show is in the Village and open to everyone; these events are about music and inclusivity first and foremost,” commented Clark.
The event launched a month ago and from day one has been very well received by the neigbourhood and visiting audiences alike. Country Crush is free to attend, “we wanted to keep the show open,” stressed Clark, “so come for a pint or stay for the night” and have their infamous burger while you enjoy the show.
Country Crush runs every Thursday from 9 PM to 11 PM at The Churchmouse. The pub offers a show bar special: $6 Bar Rail (1oz) and $7 Molson Canadian or Coors Light Tall Boy Cans (473ml) at the upstairs bar for Country Crush Thursdays.
