This weekend Spotlighters Theatre presents The Nerd, a comedy by Larry Shue and directed by Randy Dalmas. The Nerd tells the story of Willum, a 34 year old whose boring life is suddenly turned upside down by a mysterious visit from a man he never met, but who saved his life in Vietnam. Showtimes are Friday (5.25) and Saturday (5.26) at 8pm and Sunday (05.27) at 2pm, and you can find out more at www.spotlighters.org.

It’s said that a weed is “a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.” Well, on Saturday (05.26) you can check out some plants whose virtues have indeed been discovered at the 20th annual Baltimore Herb Festival in Leakin Park. Celebrate all things herbal as vendors offer plants, books, craft items and herbal concoctions for sale, bluegrass music, and information from leading botanical experts and guest speakers. There’s even a miniature train ride for the kids. The festival runs from 10am to 4pm, and you can find out more at www.baltimoreherbfestival.com.

On Saturday evening (05.26) the Creative Alliance and the Madagascar Exchange present Kilema, The Soul of Madagascar, for an evening of traditional music played on handmade Malagasy instruments from the island -nation off the southeast coast of Africa. The show starts at 8pm, and more information is available at www.creativealliance.org.

And on Sunday (05.27), the 22nd annual SoWeBo Arts & Music Festival takes over the neighborhood surrounding the historic Hollins Market. As always, the festival features its eclectic mix of arts & crafts, fine art vendors, live music on two stages, food, puppets, an art parade, and participatory art for all ages. The festival goes from noon to 8pm, rain or shine, and you can find out more by visiting www.soweboarts.org.

… a selection of some favorite stories from recent episodes of the program…

(Click here for mp3’s of some recent stories from the show. And PODCASTERS, click here for a link to subscribe to The Signal’s weekly podcast.)

A photo of Donna and Chuck, the wife-and-husband team that run’s Baltimore’s Trinidad Gourmet. They’re at 418 E. 31st Street, and their phone number is 410.243.0072. (Here’s what The City Paper and The Urbanite Magazine have to say about their food.)

• We’ll take a stroll through the streets of Baltimore (and try to avoid stepping in anything) when we tag along with professional dog walker Matt Fisher
• We’ll talk with artist and children’s book author Stephen Parlato. His new volume, The World That Loved Books, is the physical embodiment of a life-altering, career-changing dream
• Signal contributor John Eaton shares a “work poem” about his friend and fellow artist, the late great Peter Zahorecz
• We’ll get an introduction to the secrets of dhalpouri, buljol, and mango chutney at the Trinidad Gourmet restaurant, where husband and wife Chuck Lochan and Donna Baboolal serve fresh Caribbean cuisine to Baltimore locals every day
• And we’ll meet Victoria LeGrand and Alex Scally, the Baltimore duo Beach House. Their debut CD has been receiving rave reviews from audiences and critics alike