Mom!! Dad!! I'm going to be on television!!

Ok, check this out. A few weeks ago I received an email message that I almost erased.  The subject line was, "Veronica TEASE" and it was underneath an email that said, "Come and get your XXX date tonight." Hmmm.  Well, I deleted the xxx email (I did!) And decided to take a chance and open the Veronica one.  I'm glad I did. It was a message from a young lady named Marieke inviting me to read poetry on a Dutch television program.   

I've never been on television before and I'd never seen this show but I asked Marieke to call me so we could talk about it. Marieke explained that, Tease, was a new program aimed at women of all ages.  She admitted that right about now no one even really knows the show exists but they are working at getting the word out. She also explained that having a poet (I would dare say also a Black, female one) on Dutch television was a pretty unconventional thing to do.  So I said yes. Why not shake things up a little? :)     

Like I said, I have never been on television before.  I am always a nervous wreck before readings and I HATE to see myself or camera.  This doesn't sound like a really a good combination for television does it? But the truth is, I feel like I might reach people who I wouldn't reach otherwise through this program.  Most folk will never venture into a poetry reading, or book signing.  So I want to take the message where people are. And if they are sitting in front of television at 8pm...

 Marieke tells me that I should get to the studio an hour early for make-up and to talk to the producers.  My boyfriend and I take the train to Hilversum, which is kinda like Holland's Hollywood, where we are met by Richard (shout out to Richard!) who drives us to the studio.  Now when we get to the studio I have no interest in make up, I don't wear much of the stuff, kohl on my eyes is usually about it.  But when the make up lady introduces herself to me, I find myself saying, "I don't wear make up but uhhh, if you were going to make me up what would you do."  "Well, I'd keep it very natural." She purrs.  Needless to say I end up in the chair enchanted by the magic brushes, colors and tubes she's got laid out on the table in front of us. And true to her word, she kept it natural. (Thanks Minke!)  

By this time I've also had a chance to vibe with the other guest, Arin Tasmania, who is from Australia and runs a popular night called, "Club Vegas."  She's a really fun loving, friendly woman who has managed to carve a niche out for herself in a difficult arena. We're both excited about being on the show and don't know what to expect.   

After make-up the head producer sits me down, gives me an overview of what is going to happen, shows me around the set and talks to me about what poems I'm going to do.  I've chosen two poems, one of which is, "Forced Entry" because I feel if I have one chance to say something, it's going to have to be something meaningful. I know that Tease is a light-hearted show but I also know that it's for women and our lives are not always light-hearted. I have to say what I feel is important. Otherwise my being on television is just vanity as far as I'm concerned.  For awhile there is some uncertainty as to whether I should read, "Forced Entry" or not. My boyfriend knows how important it is for me to read the piece, so he pulls me aside and says, "Baby, listen, do your thing. In this environment I know how easy it is to feel pressured to do something other than what you normally do.  But do what you feel is important."  It meant a lot to me to have him there, in my corner, affirming what I felt. In the end there was no drama, as everyone felt comfortable with me reading what I wanted to read.  

 
Beertje Van Beers, the hostess of the show, is a sincere, gracious woman who amazed me by telling me backstage that her favorite piece was "Poem for a Man Who Knows Very Well Who He Is." I decided to read that piece as a tribute to my support, who was smiling at me a few feet away, and for the hostess because she asked good questions and made me feel at ease. Besides, at that point Beertje and I were sitting on a big red bed (you've got to watch the show to know why) so why not do a love poem. :)  

Anyway, if you're in Holland and you want to see the show you've got search your television for Veronica. They say I'll be on this Thursday at 8pm.  (Donderdag avond October 17)  

If you aren't in Holland then you can't see the show BUT you can check a sneak preview here below.

(big shout out to Marieke and the whole, Tease crew! Check out the Tease website: http://www.veronica.nl/tease.html )

one love, Ekere