Celebrate the first weekend of 2020 with these events

Jan. 2, 2020 5:04 AM PT

This weekend’s events — all in one place.

Now through 1.12: “Dear Evan Hansen”

A misunderstood letter, family troubles and teenage angst drive this touring Broadway hit, with songs by Oscar and Tony winners Pasek & Paul.

Broadway/San Diego, downtown. broadwaysd.com

A photo of Stephen Christopher Anthony in 'Dear Evan Hansen'

1.2-4: Luis J. Gomez

Known for: Luis J. Gomez Presents Luis J. Gomez, Guy Code, Last Comic Standing

@ American Comedy Company, americancomedyco.com

1.3: “Boozin’ With the Bard: A Midsummer Night’s Dream!”

Shakespeare meets cocktail shakers as New Match Collective’s actors summon the spirit of Midsummer with help from some serious spirits.

Amplified Ale Works, East Village. newmatchcollective.wixsite.com/homesite

Starting 1.3: Molly Paulick

Using aerial landscape photography and local plant life, artist Molly Paulick creates acrylic collage paintings to demonstrate the micro and macro perspectives of what she sees to explore how healing it can be to pay attention “in a world full of distraction.” Her work is joined by a number of artists whose work is on display at The Studio Door through February.

@ The Studio Door, thestudiodoor.com

Starting 1.3: “Gone Bananas”

Slip into the whimsical nature of artist June Rubin’s latest works, featuring bananas, like Banana Trail Direct Line to My Heart, a mixed media work with watercolor bananas, a banana with diamonds, a broken heart in silver, peace symbol stickers, and an invitation for the viewer to put all the clues together to figure out the message. Through Jan. 31.

@ June Rubin Studio/Gallery, junerubin.com

Starting 1.4: ArtHatch Presents Ninth Annual Art-A-Thon

It’s an annual marathon of artistic inspiration and creation to benefit ArtHatch’s free art education programs for teens, with completed artwork being auctioned off, starting at $50. Art lovers can witness artists in their element, watch them navigate their creative process, and get a look at finished works in real time. The pieces will remain on display through Jan. 25.

@ Distinction Gallery, distinctionart.com

Things To Do

Michael Benninger

James Hebert

James Hebert is The San Diego Union-Tribune’s theater critic, and has covered the San Diego arts scene for more than two decades. He earned his master’s degree at Columbia University in New York and worked as a magazine editor in Boston before joining the U-T. Hebert’s awards include a national arts-writing prize from the Society for Features Journalism (for a profile of the choreographer Twyla Tharp), and some two dozen local and regional journalism honors; his work also has been republished in two college writing textbooks. In 2009, Hebert served as a juror for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama.

Lisa Deaderick

Lisa Deaderick writes about social justice issues in her Sunday column for The San Diego Union-Tribune, as well as influential San Diegans for the One-on-One series that runs on Saturdays. Each week, she’s speaking with community activists, academics, volunteers, or other knowledgeable individuals about everything from the benefits of music in education and the creative work of notable artists, to understanding the importance of representation and inclusiveness. A Chula Vista native, Lisa graduated from Bethune-Cookman University in Florida and Columbia University in New York, and has worked at the Union-Tribune since 2008.