Biography
Harry Zevenbergen (Den Haag) poet, performer and citypoet of Den Haag. He is a poet and a performer with a story to tell. In his work political satire, sharp observation,a heartfelt tear and hilaric absurdism are alternated. As a performer Harry proved he can entertain all kinds of audiences. From a hardcorehouse gathering to a bunch of pensioners and from punkrockers to the poetryloving elite. In the past ten years Harry did about 800 performances, including over100 performances in Belgium, England, Ireland and Scotland. His work was published in several anthologies, magazines, newspapers and in 2004 his first major collection ´Punk in Rhenen´ was published. In september 2007 the Nepalese/Indian magazine Pratik published an anthology of contemporary Dutch poetry, edited by Harry, with support of the Dutch Translation fund. As a poet he works both solo, as a duo with fellowpoet Diann van Faassen and in the poetrypopgroup D.O.M. A group that combines multi vocal poetryperformance with pop, folk and electromusic. With this group they made a modern rewrite of the old legend from Brugge ´Anna in the pit´ (Bel), for Brugge cultural capital 2002 In 2003 D.O.M. produced with literary festivall the Wintergarden (Nijmegen) City. City is the story of a big city, with a series of poems forming one story. On stage the performance is supported by a film. City was to be seen on several major festivalls in the Netherlands. April 2007 Harry was officially announced as the first ever official City poet of Den Haag. QUOTES Attila the Stockbroker: “I don't agree with everything Harry says, but his words are humourously and satirically effective and he's managed to translate his concepts into English which is a stunning achievement. In Dutch he is obviously very funny. In English weirdly provocative. But always warm and real." Review of my performance at the Hydrogen Jukebox, Darlington 12/11/02 Apparently, Harry's surname translates as Seven Mountains - this could account for not only the size of the man (huge) but also for the size of his performance talent - colossal. Language was no barrier as, together with two other sad eyed boys from the lowlands (Tjeerd Bruinja and Sieger M Geertsma), he took the Hydrogen Jukebox Cabaret by storm. The mainly young audience lapped up his full-on performance style, which knocked on the head once and for all any lingering notion that poetry is for sad intellectuals with no real idea of what's happening in the world. Two of many memorable moments: Harry berating his cat for his carnivorous tendencies and the description of parents in a park losing patience with the children's entertainer. Humour with an important social bite, delivered with style. Come back and see us again Harry! Jo Colley (Co-Director of Hydrogen Jukebox, Darlington) Haagse Courant on Wordup Touchdown (Harry’s show with Pink Sly mixing poetry and dancemusic): “poetry for modern times” Seething Wells: “It’s good you’re bashing the vegans, keep on doing so” Haagse Courant (Hague Daily) on his footballpoetry: “subtle play upon words” Manic Mark in the Jubelkrant: “baffling convincing power” Haags nieuwsblad: “funny, subtle and absurdist” Pink Sly: “Harry’s humour is dry as the Sahara in summer” Dedemsvaartse Courant: “with tender stories, anecdotes and sharp humor Harry softened and shocked his audience” “with Harry the borders between poetry and stand-up comedy are vague, between the tree and the calm it sounded special”
All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.
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