The majestic chambers of Louisiana’s Old State Capitol will come alive with music and merriment on Thursday as the historic building hosts The Jewel of the State Gala from 7-10 p.m. Proceeds from this event will be used to complete a master plan to refurbish the building’s grounds, which were last updated 72 years ago by the Works Progress Administration. Old State Capitol leaders have teamed with nationally recognized landscape architects to create the master plan. Additional funding for the project has come from a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and from generous private donations. Guests at the event will be able to sip wine, enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, and dance to music played by Ned Fasullo and his Big Band Orchestra. More information can be found by clicking here.

Greater Baton Rouge Walk with Me Baton Rouge’s local division of the Easter Seals, a nonprofit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs, will hold their annual Walk With Me event this Saturday morning downtown. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the 2-mile walk begins at 10 a.m. Click here for more information.

The Louisiana Art and Science Museum hosts storyteller and children’s entertainer Miss Trudy and her Traveling Trunk Show this Saturday morning. Kids will love her humorous stories, songs and games, and her puppet friends, Sheldon the Sheepdog and Frederick the Mouse. The program is free for members, and is included in the price of a general admission ticket for nonmembers. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. lasm.org

The HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region Two (HAART) is coordinating the 29th Annual AIDS Candlelight Memorial this Sunday. The event will feature a candlelight vigil and a memorial walk to the Louisiana State Capitol led by The Michael Foster Project. The event is free and open to the public and will include free HIV testing, speakers, refreshments and entertainment. Click here for more information.