MiKaya The Messenger 

Sean P Speaks 

Dee Threets

Certified Pens Poetry Showcase:  No More Practice Test

Sharp Pens Events are more than just poetry shows, they’re creative sanctuaries, feedback spaces, and community stages for writers who want to grow and be heard.Each event is rooted in Sharp Pens’ mission to pay poets, sharpen voices, and heal through art. From Sharpen My Pen, our open mic + feedback forum, to Certified Pens, our curated showcase of rising and seasoned talent, every gathering is designed to give writers the stage, spotlight, and support they deserve.Expect:•	Intimate vibes and high energy•	A mix of new and seasoned performers•	Constructive feedback and community engagement•	Opportunities for future bookings and features•	Merch, vendors, and powerful momentsOur events are the training ground for tomorrow’s features and a celebration space for today’s storytellers. Come to be moved, to be seen, and to stay sharp.

Sharp Pens

A poetry showcase where poets are paid to touch the stage. Detroit artists meet national voices for a night of truth, growth, and community.

65 Oakman Blvd

Too often artists perform countless shows purely for exposure. Certified Pens was created to challenge that pattern by building an experience where artists are compensated for their craft while performing in front of a larger community audience.This activation brings together poets, entrepreneurs, creatives, and community supporters for a night centered around truth, storytelling, and artistic growth.The lineup intentionally bridges communities.Half of the artists performing are Detroit-based poets, while the other half are invited artists traveling from other cities and states.By bringing these voices together, the room becomes a space where ideas, culture, and creative energy can move across communities.This Year’s Theme: No More Practice TestsWhat lessons in life have you already repeated enough times?Artists will reflect on the experiences that shaped them, the cycles they’ve broken, and the wisdom they now carry forward.This is the moment when preparation becomes purpose.Guests can expect an evening of:• powerful spoken word performances• artists traveling from multiple cities• community vendors and merchandise• live storytelling and creative expression• networking and connection with Detroit creativesCertified Pens is designed to create a room where artists, entrepreneurs, and community members can meet, collaborate, and grow together.Featuring• Featured Artist K-Love The Poet and True Avery • Detroit poets selected through the Certified Pens artist pipeline• Guest artists traveling from outside Detroit• Hosted and curated by the Sharp Pens / ESE Network Each poet performs a curated set designed to showcase their voice, perspective, and artistry.Activation Flow5:00 PM – Doors Open / Connection Hour Guests arrive, connect, visit vendors, and explore merchandise.5:55PM – Sharp Start : Show Begin6:15 PM – Artist Performances BeginIntermissionFeatured Performance – K-Love The Poet and True Avery. Final Artist PerformancesCommunity Closing About Sharp PensSharp Pens is a writer’s platform focused on developing poets from page to stage and beyond. Through workshops, open mics, showcases, and touring opportunities, the platform helps writers sharpen their voice and build their artistic identity. Certified Pens represents the next step in that journey. Tickets Early Bird: $15General Admission : $25Door Price: $30Community Support Ticket $55Includes entry plus additional support for the artists and activation.Community Support Tickets help ensure that poets, DJs, and creative contributors are compensated for their work.Certified Pens is more than a poetry show. It’s a room where artists are supported, stories are shared, and community is built through creative expression. Come witness the voices shaping the next chapter of spoken word.Healing Through Art | Building With Community.Certified Pens is part of the ESE (Everybody Support Everybody) ecosystem, a network designed to circulate resources within creative communities.Through events like this, artists, businesses, and supporters collaborate to create opportunities that strengthen the culture.

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Certified Pens Poetry Showcase: No More Practice Test

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Certified Pens Poetry Showcase: No More Practice Test

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