Cool on the Coast: There’s a good crop of events for January

Layla Marino

2014_COLUMN_MARINOAs everyone winds down from the holiday and gets ready for 2015, events in coastal North County are kicking into gear. Lots of classes for both adults and kids, music, arts and more are waiting for San Diegans to get the year started with new fun and new flair, and it’s all happening on the coast. We also have an update on all the farmers markets on the North Coast so residents and visitors alike can stock up on fresh local produce, find fun gifts from local artisans or even catch some world-class musical talent. The weather may be a little cooler this time of year, but it’s always much cooler on the coast.

Farmers markets in 2015: Residents in coastal North County have enjoyed some of the best local produce and crafts with convenient famers markets all over the region. With the new year, the North County coastal markets have more vendors than ever with even more art, musical acts and local participants, and there’s a market almost every day of the week. Use this guide to make sure you have your schedule set to get all your local produce, art and gifts in 2015. Go to www.sdfarmbureau.org for updates to your favorite markets.

Wednesday markets

  • Encinitas Station Certified Farmers Market — 4-7 p.m., 620 Vulcan Ave. in Encinitas
  • Carlsbad State Street Farmers Market — 3-7 p.m., State Street between Carlsbad Village Drive and Grand Avenue in Carlsbad

Thursday markets

  • Oceanside Certified Farmers Market and Faire — 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Pier View Way at Coast Highway 101 in Oceanside
  • Oceanside Sunset Market — 5-9 p.m., Pier View Way at Tremont in Oceanside
  • Oceanside Tri-City Medical Center — 4:30-6:30 p.m., Tri-City Medical Center on Vista Way in Oceanside
  • Pacific Highlands Certified Farmers Market — 3:30-7 p.m., Canyon Crest Academy, 5951 Village Center Loop in Carmel Valley

Saturday markets

  • Del Mar Farmers Market and Food Court — 1-4 p.m., 1050 Camino Del Mar in Del Mar

Sunday markets

  • Leucadia/Encinitas Farmers Market and Art Fair — 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Paul Ecke Central School, 185 Union Street in Encinitas
  • Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market — 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Del Rayo Village, 16079 San Dieguito Road in Rancho Santa Fe
  • Solana Beach Farmers Market — 1-5 p.m., 410 South Cedros Ave. in Solana Beach

The Belly Up, Solana Beach: What’s a new year without the fantastic shows at one of Southern California’s best rock venues? January will see lots of classic music acts, punk legends and fun weekly parties at the Belly Up, kicking off a fun and music-filled 2015. Check out http://bellyup.com/calendar#2015-01 for the full listing, but here are some picks for the best shows on the North Coast.

  • Fridays, Jan. 9, 23, 30: Atomic Groove Happy Hour — Every Friday at the Belly Up, happy hour is hosted by San Diego’s most versatile entertainment band, Atomic Groove. Each week has a theme, and in January, the first girl’s night of 2015, a Super Bowl party with a groove edge, and a winter white party are just some of the highlights. Atomic Groove will help you get your weekends started right in 2015 with drink specials and lots of fun. http://www.atomicgroovemusic.com/about.htm.
  • Jan. 14: Marc Cohn (seated show) — Marc Cohn is known for his moving, southern-inspired blues rock and his Grammy-winning ’90s single, “Walking in Memphis.” Cohn is doing a tour in support of his new single, “The Coldest Corner in the World,” which is the theme song to a new documentary, “Tree Man.” Get your tickets soon, as this special sit-down show is assigned seating. Get info or download the new single at http://marccohn.net/.
  • Jan. 15: Dead Kennedys — The Dead Kennedys are legendary ’80s punk pioneers best known for singles such as “Holiday in Cambodia,” “California Uber Alles” and “Hellnation.” That last single was written by D.H. Peligro, who will be performing with the band at this only punk show for January at the Belly Up. Don’t miss these punk icons. More information: http://www.deadkennedys.com/.
  • Jan. 23-24: Big Head Todd and the Monsters — This Colorado band were well-known in the 1990s for singles such as “Resignation Superman” and “Bittersweet,” but Big Head Todd and the Monsters have been putting out great music since then, releasing seven albums since 2002. The band is touring to support its newest album, “Black Beehive,” but with two shows, fans can expect both new and classic songs from these hard-working alternative rockers. Go to http://www.bigheadtodd.com/ for details on the new album and to see the video for the new album’s first single, “Josefina.”
  • Jan. 25: Los Lobos — Everyone remembers Los Lobos for their Grammy-winning covers of Richie Valenz songs for the movie “La Bamba,” but this Chicano band from Los Angeles is one of the most successful music acts ever with 20 albums over its award-winning history. For tour and album information, go to http://www.loslobos.org and get your tickets soon as this show will most likely sell out.

Classes and workshops: What’s your New Year’s resolution for 2015? Whether you want to get in shape, learn to write, try your hand at cooking or learn a new language, coastal North County has lots of classes and seminars to get you to try something new in the new year.

  • Tuesdays, Ongoing: “Calling all Flutists” Encinitas School of Music Flute Choir — Encinitas School of Music is looking for talented flutists to join its flute choir. The choir practices every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. starting up again after the holiday break on Jan. 5. Do you want to hone your flute skills and practice with a talented group as well as perform unique classical and pop pieces? Go to http://www.esom.org/ the Flute Choir’s website for more information.
  • Jan. 11: Magee Park Poets Present “Sense, Sin and Shadow” — This free poetry workshop will be led by Charlene Vitarelli, Ndp C.V. Will, and will be held at Cole Library in Carlsbad from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Participants should register before the class by calling 760-602-2400, ext. 8149. For more information, go to http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/library/events/default.asp.
  • Jan. 24: “A Simple Explanation of Absolutely Everything” — Dr. Cyd Ropp will lecture at Kindred Journeys in Oceanside on the merging of traditional spiritualist thought with cutting-edge scientific discoveries, which she calls cosmology. This lecture accompanies her book of the same name and is free to the public, beginning at 1 p.m. For more information, go to http://www.kindredjourneysonline.com.
  • Jan. 26: Pop Culture and Women in Art — Local pop artist Jean Wells will be lecturing at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Del Mar about her work in large-scale mosaic sculpture and about pop art in the tradition of Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons and why elevating everyday Americana such as ad images and food to the level of art is so important and striking. This event begins at 9:30 a.m. For more information go to http://www.stpetersdelmar.net/content.cfm?page_content=calendar_include.cfm&month=1&year=2015.
  • Jan. 27: Building Business with Social Media Workshop — This free workshop teaches participants how to get the most out of their social media to find customers and promote business. Led by Camille P. Schuster, Ph.d, professor of marketing at Cal State San Marcos, this workshop will be held at the Carlsbad City Library and starts at 7 p.m. It’s a must-attend for anyone trying to build a small business in 2015. For more information, go to http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/library/events/default.asp.

Events just for fun: If you want to continue your 2014 fun right into 2015, not to worry. There are plenty of fun events all over the North County coastal region. Fun for kids, fun for adults and couples, it’s all happening in January on the coast.

  • Various dates Wednesday-Thursday all month: North Coast Repertory Theatre Presents “Gunmetal Blues: The Musical” — Based on the book by Scott Wentworth, this kitschy musical is a spoof on 1940s film noir. The show runs from Jan. 2 through Feb. 8, so there are lots of opportunities to catch this quirky show. For tickets and information, visit http://www.northcoastrep.org.
  • Jan. 9-17 (selected dates): San Dieguito Academy Presents “The Mouse that Roared” — The drama production class at the San Dieguito Academy will be performing the comedic play “The Mouse That Roared” on two weekends in January. This quirky play was rehearsed, produced and will be performed entirely by the class. For tickets and info go to http://www.sandiegoreader.com/places/san-dieguito-academy-clayton-theater/.
  • Jan. 16: Wine Pairing Dinner with Gerard Bertrand and Chef Pascal Vignau — Chandler’s in Carlsbad presents Executive Chef Pascal Vignau as he prepares a three-course menu inspired by his native south of France paired with some of the best wines from Gerard Bertrand. Reservations are required for this dinner as space is limited. Visit Chandler’s website for more information and to reserve your spot for this culinary treat. More information: http://chandlerscarlsbad.com/ai1ec_event/gerard-bertrand-wine-dinner/?instance_id=30879.
  • Jan. 17 and 31: Zel’s Del Mar Presents Robin Henkel — Robin Henkel will be playing his funny yet soulful blues guitar at Zel’s Del Mar on two dates in January. His funky style of light-hearted blues/jazz fusion is always a crowd-pleaser. For more information on all of Henkel’s gigs, visit http://www.robinhenkel.com.
  • Jan. 17-18: Del Mar Gem Faire — The Del Mar Fairgrounds are the only place big enough to host the biggest gem faire in the country, taking place on two days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 70 exhibitors will be showing and selling semi-precious gems from around the world, with demonstrations and workshops on jewelry making, the origins of gems and their healing properties happening throughout each day. For more information, email [email protected].
  • Jan. 18: SOUL Youth Scavenger Hunt — This kid-friendly event is also free. The hunt full of mysteries and wacky challenges begins at noon and includes lunch. The fun hunt will be held at St. Michael’s by the Sea. For more information, go to http://stmichaelsbythesea.org/events/thehunt/.
  • Jan. 14, 17 and 21: Schulman Auditorium at Carlsbad City Library Film Series: Robin Williams — This series of three films pays tribute to the late great Robin Williams with “Jumanji” on Jan. 14, “Dallas Buyers Club” on Jan. 17 and “Good Will Hunting” on Jan. 21. All film screenings begin at 6 p.m. and are presented on the huge screen in the Schulman Auditorium at the Carlsbad City Library. Go online to http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/library/events/default.asp for more information.
  • Jan. 31: Meeting F. Scott Fitzgerald: A One Man Show — This free show at Carlsbad City Library’s Schulman Auditorium explores the life and times of one of the 20th century’s most influential authors through the eyes of playwright Larry Vanderveen. This free event will be first-come, first-served so arrive early to ensure your seat. More information at http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/library/events/default.asp.
  • Jan. 31: Circus Nights Gala — This charity event at the Grand Del Mar will be a cirque-style show in the tradition of Italian commedia dell’arte hosted by an Italian performing troupe, iL CIRCo. All proceeds will go to benefit the Sam S. and Rose Stein Emergency Care Center in support of its resuscitation project. For more information and tickets, go to https://radycha.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/CircusNightRadyGala2015/tabid/557899/Default.aspx.

If you thought the North Coast was slowing down with the winter chill, we hope we’ve disproved that notion. Things are just as hot as ever in coastal North County, whether you want to take a class to get your resolution going, find a market to get your greens, see a show or have some crazy, different 2015 fun, the coast’s got you covered in January.

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 [email protected].