Plays by Young Writers: Beginning at 7:30 p.m., experience professional productions of Plays by Young Writers, produced by the Playwrights Project, at the Old Globe Theatre’s Cassius Carter Centre Stage. The talent of the winners of the California Young Playwrights Contest will take center stage in the production. Stage Directions, a coming-of-age comedy about a young gay man trying to make sense of love and all its confusing facets, will be presented Jan. 12 along with Elevator, a comic fable about a relationship that blossoms in an elevator of a posh apartment building. Tickets are $50, which will include a post-performance reception. The Old Globe Theatre is located at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. (619) 239-8222, write@playwrightsproject.org.

Skank and mosh: The young Santa Cruz band the Expendables will perform at Canes Bar & Grill at 9:00 p.m. The band’s powerfully rhythmic strumming style gets crowds on the floor, and comes in handy when it’s time to toss in a classic surf tune. Considering the overwhelmingly “herbal” concerns of their lyrics, it makes perfect sense that the Expendables follow in the party-hardy footsteps of modern ska-punks like Fishbone and Sublime. Tickets are $10. Canes Bar & Grill is located at 3105 Ocean Front Walk. (858) 488-1780, www.theexpendables.net/news.

Ray at Night: Ray at Night is a North Park gallery walkabout held on the second Saturday of each month. This Saturday, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., the “Urban Details” exhibition at the San Diego Art Department will feature new works by Duke Windsor that consist of premier selections from three themes of works-in-progress. “Men@Work” consists of a series of men and women striving to make the world we live in a better place to live, work and commute. An additional collection of miniature en plein air paintings representing the beauty of Balboa Park will also be exhibited. The San Diego Art Department is located at 3830 Ray St. (619) 299-4278, info@sdartdept.com.

“Paradise Abandoned”: The opening reception of “Paradise Abandoned,” a photography exhibition by San Diego photographer Turtle Julian, will begin at 4:00 p.m. at Taste Artisan Cheese & Gourmet Shop in Hillcrest. Julian’s photography illuminates the elegant desolation of the Salton Sea. This strangely beautiful, sometimes lethal and undeniably haunted lake now exists for photographers instead of tourists. The exhibition will run through Feb. 28. Taste is located at 1243 University Ave. adjacent to Wine Steals. (619) 683-2306, atjulian@gmail.com.

Final Exit presentation and discussion: The Hemlock Society of San Diego will hold a public meeting beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Joyce Beers Community Center, which will feature a presentation of the DVD of Derek Humphry’s book Final Exit and a discussion of related critical issues led by Dr. Fay Girsh following the presentation. Other experienced personnel will be present to answer questions. The Joyce Beers Community Center is located on Vermont Street, one block north of University Avenue, in the Uptown Shopping Plaza. (619) 233-4418, schanes@cox.net.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The WorldBeat Center will present a Martin Luther King Celebration from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. that will feature gospel music, gospel reggae, speakers, step dancers and more. The WorldBeat Center is located at 2100 Park Blvd. in Balboa Park. (619) 230-1190, events@worldbeatcenter.org.

Lexi Styles’ Imperial Court campaign party: Lexi Styles, a candidate for Princess Royale of the Imperial Court de San Diego, will host a campaign party from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Flicks that will include food, a drag show and lots of fun. Flicks is located at 1017 University Ave. (619) 297-2056, lexi_styles@yahoo.com.

Dog-owners wine social: City Dog, a dog wash and pet supplies store, has joined the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center in presenting a happy hour for dog owners every Wednesday night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. SDWCC’s dog-friendly sunset patio will be open for dog owners to mix and mingle while enjoying good wine and food. There will be a drawing for a “doggy basket” and specially selected wines (a red and a white) will be offered each week. Wines will be available by the glass at $5, and well cocktails and martinis will also be available, as will the café menu. San Diego Wine & Culinary Center is located at 200 Harbor Dr., Suite 120. (619) 231- 6400, www.sdwineculinary.com.

Ode to The Grateful Dead: The Grateful Dead tribute band Cubensis will perform at the House of Blues at 8:00 p.m. The quintet Cubensis boasts graying ponytails, tie-die pants and hippie sensibility, and also has a comprehensive grasp of The Grateful Dead and its legacy. Playing from every era of The Dead’s catalog, Cubensis is renowned for whipping its faithful crowd into a swirling, psychedelic mass for three hours straight. According to both band and fans, they never play the same show twice. Tickets are $10. House of Blues is located at 1055 Fifth Ave. (619) 299-2583, www.cubensis.com.