Science Fiction convention Chicon 7, or "Worldcon," will be at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago this weekend. At the convention, hosts will announce the winners of the 2012 Hugo awards. WMUK’s science fiction and fantasy experts John Wenger and Andrea Johnson talked about a few of the nominee’s latest reads as well as a few others.

South Haven Center for the Arts is celebrating Diane Lynn Cheeseman’s art with an exhibit called Water Works. Diane Lynne Cheeseman is a long time resident of South Haven and has lived by at least one of the Great Lakes for almost her entire life. She says she is interested in how the water is ever changing with the daily differences in color and texture on the surface, but also in what goes on down below.

Bell’s Brewery will host the New Issues Annual Poetry Celebration this Sunday. The event will feature local poetry readings, a performance by Whiskey Before Breakfast, and an auction—all part of an effort to keep New Issues Press afloat through the Herbert Scott Legacy Fund. Deborah Gang is one of about ten poets who will read at the celebration. Here’s her poem “Life Before Google”:

We never settled any argument

because the unabridged dictionary

This weekend 500 horses and riders will compete in the 11th annual Richland Park Horse Trials. Bob and Kay Willmarth started dreaming about hosting a horse trial more than 20 years ago. After the Willmarth's finished acquiring some 400 acres of farm land in Richland, they worked with a top designer to create their cross country course.

George Dila says he loves his characters, even though they may be hard to love sometimes. 

The 50th Michigan Square and Round Dance Convention will be held this weekend at the Kalamazoo Radisson.

On Friday and Saturday, Grand Rapids will host the second annual City Lights Music Festival. The festival will bring in a few electronic dance musicians from across the country and a ton of Grand Rapids talent.

This Thursday night, singer/songwriters Grace Theisen and Hannah Doan will use their music to help victims of human trafficking through Songs Against Slavery. The event’s goal is to raise awareness about human trafficking in the U.S. and fundraise for The Daughter Project, a safe house for victims.