TODAY (Wednesday, 15 May) brings a mid-week treat packed full of music featuring local artists as Week Three of Thurrock's Get Creative Festival continues.

At 1pm local musician Terry Jones will entertain for our A Little Light Music session at the Thameside. Terry is a member of Thurrock Voices, a local choir led by Musical Director Daryl Branch, and will perform a selection of feel good, sing along songs.

The music continues from 7.30pm at Casco Lounge, Lakeside where Arts Outburst are excited to present their third year of Sounds Like Thurrock, featuring local artists Chay Appleyard, Holly Hannigan, James Phillips, Ellie-Marie, Kerem Goral, John Paul Elliott, Darren Merrion and JUMEAUX.

Both events are free to attend.

Daryl Branch, CEO and Artistic Director of Arts Outburst said: "Once again we are bringing local artists to the forefront and look forward to welcoming back some familiar faces and meeting new ones. Our A Little Light Music sessions have proved popular and show that the Thameside complex is a much needed and loved community space.

Last years Sounds Like Thurrock was a great success at The Wharf public house and we hope that the event at Casco Lounge will be just as successful and will open up further opportunities for local artists"

Get Creative will be running until the end of May with more performances and events and there's still time to catch the Get Creative Exhibition at the Thameside complex, which is being updated constantly as more and more local artists submit their work.

There are still opportunities for local artists and groups to get involved – if you would like to take part in our exhibition or performances, please get in touch.

For more information and to find out what's happening when and where, look out for Festival booklets across the Borough, visit www.artsoutburst.co.uk or call 01375 386247. You can also learn lots about the festival via this Nub News Link.

Arts Outburst have been reflecting on a busy Week Two of the festival.

Words and Music Open Mic.

Tuesday 7 May saw the first ever Words + Music Open Mic Youth Edition which saw performances from local young artists from Thurrock who performed songs and poetry at Arts Outburst studio. 

On Wednesday A Little Light Music welcomed Pam and Friends to the Thameside. Pam taught herself to play the ukelele during lockdown and runs the Music Monday sessions at Grays Town Park. 

She kicked off the session and then handed over to her Music Monday friends who got the audience singing along to an eclectic mix of songs including George Ezra and Neil Diamond.

Families were welcomed at Grays Library.

On Saturday 11 Arts Outburst's Family Fiestas joined Thurrock Libraries for their Fun Palace in Grays Central Library before heading to the Tilbury Port Open Day produced by Tilbury on the Thames Trust, where there was a Makers Market, tours of the Port, performances from local groups including Thurrock Voices and Creative Blast Performing Arts Academy and artist Conor Turansky presented his interactive art piece, Memories with Connor.

Mr Branch added: ""We were delighted to join up with Thurrock Libraries and Tilbury on the Thames Trust to support and take part in their events over the weekend. It's a great opportunity to highlight the amazing creativity taking place in Thurrock and for local residents to try something new.

It's important that we keep culture and creativity alive in Thurrock and it's great to see so many events happening across the Borough. Community House Seabrooke Rise also hosted their Hate Crime Love Food event on Saturday - an afternoon of fun for families".