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Don’t even think about trying to pick a fight with this man… Pro wrestler Nikolai Volkoff infuriated crowds as ‘The Mad Russian’ during The Cold War.

• A story about the unusual immigrant experience of Nikolai Volkoff — ‘The Mad Russian’ was one of the most despised villains in the history of professional wrestling, infuriating Cold War-era wrestling crowds with his singing of the Soviet national anthem
• Poet, teacher, and Polish immigrant Piotr Gwiazda shares a poem about a different sort of immigrant experience — he remembers his first days here in the United States, learning the rhythms of life in a new and foreign city
• Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra members Jim Blanchard and David Evans talk about the rich history of the mandolin in America, and what it’s like to play in Charm City’s other orchestra
• And a conversation with baritone John Packard about what it takes to climb inside the mind of a murderer. He’s performing the role of death-row inmate Joseph de Rocher in the Baltimore Opera Company’s upcoming production of Dead Man Walking

The Signal’s Aaron Henkin (left) and friend Mike Kreizmen (right) spend some quality time with Nikolai Volkoff at the North Point Flea Market in Dundalk, Maryland

This month, the Circle Gallery in Annapolis presents Pure Art, a new exhibition dedicated to authentic expression free of overdone conceits and commercial styles. The show features mixed media works by artists of the Providence Art Institute. All of the artists presenting are adults with developmental disabilities who take classes at the Institute, where they find a variety of opportunities for self-expression. The exhibition runs through March 10, and the Circle Gallery is located at 18 State Circle in Annapolis. For more information, call 410-268-4566.

The i.e. reading series continues tomorrow evening at Clayton and Company Fine Books. This program features accomplished poet and photographer Tim Davis; artist, poet and gender activist Kari Edwards; and Rupert Wondolowski, editor of the Shattered Wig Review and a regular poetic contributor here on The Signal. The gathering gets underway at 4 in the afternoon and wraps up around 6 o’clock. Clayton and Company Fine Books is located at 317 North Charles Street. For more information, call 410-752-6800 or log on to www.claytonfinebooks.com.

For the month of March, the Gallery at Severn Graphics is featuring images by local photographer Norman Watkins and students from Loyola College’s photo department. Watkins’ images of Baltimore landmarks and still-lifes of glass explore some of his favorite themes, the passage of time and the manipulation of light. Watkins’ work hangs alongside traditionally printed black and white images by Loyola students. The show runs through March 30, and Severn Graphics is located at 3531 Chestnut Ave in Hampden. For more information, call 410-467-4444 or visit www.severngraphicsphoto.com.