Cirque du Soleil, photographs and walking tour on tap for weekend

See the show that’s taken the world by storm at the River Center as Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria comes to town. The theater experience tells an allegorical story through song, dance, acrobatics and other thrilling circus acts. The show runs tonight through Saturday, and tickets are $35 to $95. … Beginning Saturday and continuing through March 2, the Louisiana Art and Science Museum will play host to two concurrent exhibitions of black-and-white photography that illustrate the need to preserve America’s history. “American Ruins: Photographs by Arthur Drooker” features a visual record of significant architectural sites across the United States, including ancient Native American dwellings, an Old West ghost town and Civil War-era ruins. Augmenting the Drooker exhibit is a selection of haunting photographs by Clarence John Laughlin that captures a vanishing New Orleans urban landscape. “The Dark Side: Photographs by Clarence John Laughlin, 1935–1961” provides insight into the broad range of themes explored by the photographer, who is best known for images of Southern plantation architecture. Regular museum admission applies. … And get a feel for downtown Baton Rouge through the soles of your feet this Saturday, on a walking tour around Capitol Park from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Dress comfortably for the stroll and be prepared to absorb plenty about the history of downtown. The event starts at the Louisiana State Museum; for more information, call 342-5428. And to see more events to liven up your winter weekends, read 225 Select by clicking here.