Though North County’s coast was expecting a much harsher winter, we’ve had sun, fun and sand throughout February. In March, indoor events rule the entertainment landscape. With lots of theater, lectures and music, the coast is staying cool even if the weather stays hot. Check out just a few of the activities available to “coasters” this month.

Venue feature: Coyote Grill in Carlsbad

If you love live music, there’s lots to see and hear right here in coastal North County. One of the most underrated spots may be Coyote Bar and Grill in Carlsbad. With live music daily, a fabulous Southwest-inspired menu and the largest selection of tequilas in North County, this ’60s dive-style venue located in Village Faire combines all the fun and food San Diegans can handle. Here are a few of the great acts playing Coyote’s stage this month. For more information, go to http://www.coyotecarlsbad.com/.

• March 17: The Terribles — Kick off your weekend with soul, funk and blues.
• March 20: RnD — Mellow out with reggae from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
• March 20: Jerome Dawson and Wasabi Blue — Still clinging to the weekend and want to have one last dance? This great local band will be playing jazz and funk from 5 to 9 p.m.
• March 24: 63eatles — One of San Diego’s favorite Beatles tribute bands.
• March 30: Bull Twist — Classic and modern rock; something for every age.
• March 31: Pandora — Pandora kicks the weekend off once again with classic rock.

The Belly Up in Solana Beach

March is in like a lion, out like a lion at San Diego County’s premiere rock venue! Tribute bands, classic favorites and even mini-festivals grace the Belly Up’s calendar, ensuring music fans in San Diego never want for anything. Check out a few of our recommended shows as well as the full schedule at http://bellyup.com/calendar#2016-03.

• March 18-19: Super Diamond — Two shows for one of San Diego’s favorite tribute bands, Super Diamond. This fun, quirky tribute to Neil Diamond takes the silky, savvy persona of the original to the next level. The Saturday show is already sold out, so make sure to get your tickets to Friday’s show asap.
• March 23: The Reverend Horton Heat — Another over-the-top San Diego favorite, The Reverend Horton Heat combines jazz, funk, swing and punk rock to turn psychobilly up to an even more fevered pitch. This show will sell out, so get your tickets online now.
• March 27: An Evening with They Might Be Giants — One of the weirdest bands from the ’90s is now a punk-pop legend for all ages. Having penned children’s albums and cartoon themes, They Might Be Giants is threatening that this will be their last tour for a while, so make sure not to miss them.

March is full of “cool” fun

Theater, movies, art and community lectures are all waiting to be discovered as the weather goes haywire once again in March. The coast is never bored, rain or shine, however, so here are just some of the activities and world-class entertainment destinations for March right here on the northern coast.

• Now through March 30: Grunion run — A Southern California phenomenon comes once again to the beaches of coastal North County. The grunion, small sardine-like fish, wash up on the shore en masse to perform their mating behavior, and anyone on the coast has a front row seat. This tri-annual event is so special because the grunion run at night and there are so many of them that their silver scales illuminate the whole beach. Go to https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Grunion for exact days and times.
• March 19: Mindfulness: Connection With Stress, Brain and Body at the Carlsbad Library — Continuing this important lecture series about stress reduction for longevity, Dr. Erik Conklin of the Stanford University Center for Compassion and Altruism Research will discuss the neuroscience behind stress and its mind-body connection. Go online to http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/library/events/default.asp for schedule and info.
• March 19: Bass Explosion — This is not your children’s bass music. The Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad hosts Bert Turetzky as he explores the world of contrabass with new and exciting result. Information and tickets are at http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/?gclid=CjwKEAiAx–2BRDO6q2T84_a52YSJABWAbfrT6JSq-ydU2asNG426AaQ-sKWR4YRBWEzSIwDBjXG-hoCAgfw_wcB.
• March 19: Spring Planting Jubilee at San Diego Botanic Garden — Rain or shine, the San Diego Botanic Garden is going ahead with its spring jubilee. Check out all the latest and hottest for spring and enjoy a huge vegetable extravaganza courtesy of Coastal Roots Farm. No matter what the weather, inspiration is here for your next Spring planting. Go to http://www.sdbgarden.org/ for more information.
• Now through March 19: “Urinetown” at MiraCosta College Theatre — This quirky play takes a look at a dystopian town in the not-too-distant future where the water shortage has gotten so bad that the town’s officials have decreed everyone use one large communal toilet. Come see this interesting commentary on California’s water shortage weekend days through March 19. For tickets, go to http://www.miracosta.edu/officeofthepresident/pio/buytickets.html.
• March 26: Electric Run at the Del Mar Fairgrounds — A fun and easy 5K run through a series of light installations that turn exercise into a party. Hopefully, March will go out like a lamb; otherwise the Electric Run may turn into an electrifying run.
• Now through March 27: “Now You See It” at North Coast Repertory Theatre — This world-class play by Georges Feydeau only employs five actors who are onstage for the entirety of the play. A study in low-action theatre, the characters hardly move and speak in dulcet tones. Check out the U.S. premiere of this interesting French farce that’s getting rave reviews. More information and tickets at http://www.northcoastrep.org/.

Whether you want to get out or stay in, March is full of fun, music and entertainment in San Diego’s coastal North County, whatever your mood. Get out there and check out all our amazing region has to offer.

Columnist Layla Marino is a San Diego music and arts writer. Visit dropweirdsci.blogspot.com. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/dropweirdsci. Send questions and comments to columnists@northcoastcurrent.com.