Certified Pens Poetry Showcase: No More Practice Test

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

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 Tests

What 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 creatives

Certified Pens is designed to create a room where artists, entrepreneurs, and community members can meet, collaborate, and grow together.

Featuring

• Featured Artist ******?

• 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 Flow

5:00 PM – Doors Open / Connection Hour Guests arrive, connect, visit vendors, and explore merchandise.

5:55PM – Sharp Start : Show Begin

6:15 PM – Artist Performances Begin

Intermission

Featured Performance – K****??

Final Artist Performances

Community Closing

About Sharp Pens

Sharp 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: $15

General Admission : $25

Door Price: $30

Community Support Ticket $55

Includes 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.