Woorden Worden Zinnen #69
On Sunday 22 March 2026, a new edition of Woorden Worden Zinnen will take place at Dolhuis in Dordrecht.

This evening brings together voices from different word art disciplines: spoken word, poetry, and stand-up. Featuring performances by Derek Otte, Simone Atangana Bekono, Dean Bowen, Vlinder Verouden, Lin An Phoa and Sjoerd Scott. The evening will be hosted by Tyler Koudijzer, with music by DJ Dagger DX.

Location: Dolhuis, Dordrecht (Dolhuisstraat 55, 3311 VE Dordrecht)
Doors open: 19:00
Tickets: €15

Derek Otte
Derek Otte is one of Rotterdam’s best-known poets and an all-round spoken word powerhouse. This stutterer-turned-City Poet serves as a literal role model for the next generation of word artists through his work as a spoken word lecturer at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. He is currently touring the Netherlands with his theatre show ‘Tijd over’ (“Time Left”).

Simone Atangana Bekono
With her prose and poetry, Simone represents the more literary end of this edition’s spectrum. In 2024, she rightfully won the Jan Campert Prize for Best Poetry Collection with ‘Marshmallow’. Her performances are layered and rich with carefully chosen metaphors that follow one another at high speed. Expect engaged, rhythmic poetry full of surprising turns.

Dean Bowen
Even before Derek Otte, Dean Bowen fulfilled the role of Rotterdam’s City Poet. Dean performs for the connoisseurs: spoken word with more “sophisticated smoothness” than an expensive cigar paired with aged cognac. His rhythmic, vivid use of language evokes the American Beat Poets, but with a sharp focus on contemporary political and identity issues.

Vlinder Verouden
Vlinder Verouden writes intimate and tender poetry that at times feels dreamlike and at others strikingly concrete, exploring trans identity, transformation and the body. While their written work reads like a stream of impressions and emotions, Vlinder’s live performances make powerful use of silence, holding tension and giving the audience space to let the imagery fully land.

Lin An Phoa
Lin An Phoa touches on sensitive truths with honest observations about self-confidence and connection. Confronting, yes. But also full of hope and humor. With an almost shamanistic, caring calmness, she guides the audience on a journey toward mental healing. The hypnotic repetitions that structure her poems enhance the sense that you are listening to a mantra. One that quietly heals something inside you.

Sjoerd Scott
Sjoerd Scott represents the stand-up comedy discipline in this edition. He moved from St. Maarten to the Netherlands to study law, but stayed to build a comedy career as a self-taught performer. Sjoerd brings immense charisma and impeccable timing to the stage. Through his hilarious, spontaneous interactions with the audience, he demonstrates strong improvisational skills: a clear sign of dedication to and mastery of his craft.

DAGGER DX
DAGGER DX is a Rotterdam-based DJ and producer who provides the musical framework for the evening. His sets combine electronic music, psychedelic rock and traditional styles such as Indonesian gamelan. He calls it “guts music”: music that should not only reach your head, but land deep in your stomach.

Tyler Koudijzer
Tyler Koudijzer is the host of the evening and is also active as a spoken word artist, theatre maker and coach. A Rotterdammer through and through, he is a bridge-builder with language and a storyteller who connects people. His work breathes the Javanese collective philosophy of Gotong Royong: everything we enjoy together, we must also carry together.