The 242 from Homerton will become a “Bus Da Rimes” tonight, when a bunch of poets hold an “open mic” session on the top deck.
Dion Power, who goes by the stage name The Freewheelin’ Troubadour, has organised the “peaceful takeover” of the bus as it travels from Homerton Hospital to Tottenham Court Road and back again.
The youth worker came up with the concept after becoming “tired of being pushed underground” to perform in what he describes as “a rapidly expanding playing field”.
He said: “What I’m referring to is that a lot of poetry nights are held in basements of pubs, and also to the fact that freedom of speech is no longer encouraged, especially not in public places.
“There has been a big influx of new poetry nights in the past year as being a poet is becoming less of a “dirty secret” for people and a much more popular way to express your feelings and get the emotional release we all need from time to time,” added Mr Power who lives in Lower Clapton Road.
“It’s therapy in itself and most writers would agree that it benefits their lives and mental states greatly to share their love, passion and anger and have that release.”
“The complete openness and honesty displayed by poets is something you don’t often find in mainstream story-telling or news outlets, it’s a real and undiluted view of the world through each persons eyes.”
The group will meet at Homerton Hospital at 7.30pm allowing time for open mic poets to sign up for a slot before embarking on the bus at 8pm.
They plan to stick a sign in the upstairs front window so anyone who wants the join the group en-route knows which bus to get on.
“I hope that there will not be an objection from the driver as it will just be a load of paying commuters, and one person reading at a time,” said Mr Power.
Other poets who will perform tonight include editor of counter-culture magazine Prowl, the feminist journalist Lisa Luxx, multiple Slam winner Uncle Errol McGlashan and lyricist Max Quinn.
They hope it will become a monthly event.
For more information see www.facebook.com/events/686745111389477/.
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