ROCKTALK NOTES : Pay to Party : Ventura’s annual beach bash will cost you this weekend because the city says it can’t afford to foot the bill.

Never invite the city to your party. For one, they don’t know how to party and they always bring the cops, a sure party-ender.

This weekend, the Ventura city fathers will bring us the seventh annual Beach Party, and it may turn out to be the last such event, unless you enjoy paying a fiver for a party that used to be free.

“The Beach Party won’t be free this year for two reasons--too many drunk underage kids and the city doesn’t have any money. It has to pay for itself,” said Faye Campbell, who coordinates special events for the city of Ventura. The party will be a gated event. No alcohol, dogs, skateboards or bikes will be allowed and coolers and backpacks will be searched. Drinking will be confined to three beer and wine gardens, which will be tightly controlled.

And what about the music? Once again, no popular local bands will be on hand and Dick Dale, who invented surf music about 30 years ago will be playing at Toe’s Tavern in Santa Barbara instead.

But there will be music at the Beach Party, of course. Two blues bands--the Signifiers from Ventura and the Roosters out of S.B--will be there. Also on hand will be a retro doo-wop band, Big Daddy, plus an actual surf band, the Surfaris who gave us “Wipeout” and “Surfer Joe” about 30 years ago.

What’s wrong with this scenario?: No dancing will be allowed at a place that features live local music. It happened at Charlie’s, which was cited for allowing patrons to dance without a permit--up there on the weird scale with Hueneme’s view tax.

Cited on Feb. 23 by the cops during a Leviticus reggae show where two people were caught dancing, the case went to court on April 16 and Charlie’s lost. According to Charlie’s manager, Chris Jelly, the city dropped the misdemeanor charge to an infraction. Jelly paid a $50 fine on behalf of Charlie’s and had to post a “no dancing” sign on the wall behind the stage.

On April 17, early into a raging rockabilly set by J.D.’s Last Ride, a young couple placed a few chairs right in front of the stage and proceeded to dance sitting down. Pretty funny. Next up was Spencer the Gardener, making his first Ventura appearance in six months. For half of the first song, the dance floor was empty, then suddenly about 50 people, um, forgot how to read.

So far, the cops haven’t cited any dancers, but wait . . . Whatya in for buddy, murder? Oh, dancing? Charlie’s, which offers local music six nights per week, has been doing this longer than all the other local venues combined.

Speaking of Spencer: It was a hit, Charlie’s was packed. Bo Fox, the most seriously injured member of the band in the October car crash, was there but didn’t play. He must undergo another operation (his fifth) so he can straighten his elbow before he can play the drums again. Drummer Paul Bergerot (formerly of the Tan) is hitting the drums for Spencer the Gardener until Fox is ready. The band will be back at Charlie’s the first Friday in June, so, circle June 5 on the calendar.

Paydirt: Do you have the new Mudheads’ tape yet? It’s available at the usual places in Ventura, and is easily the local album of the year so far. So why aren’t they playing? Singer/songwriter/Dodger fan Bill Coffey just returned from Idaho where he reportedly wrote a bunch of new songs. While avenues of communication have been opened between band members, there are no immediate plans for any Mudheads’ gigs. Look for Matt & Bill (Schulte & Coffey, a local acoustic duo) to play before the Mudheads. A couple of the Mud Dudes are in different bands, anyway. Luke McAuliffe plays guitar for a roots reggae band, the Underground Roots Syndicate. Bass player Dave Girtsman is the drummer and singer in Big Biscuit Express.

Here’s a local success story: Blue Monday, the weekly blues gig at Alexander’s in Ventura, recently hosted their 100th gig. Mike Kaufer of Ojai, who is to blame for all this, also organizes the Ojai Bowlful of Blues every September. There’s going to be a Bowlful of Cowboys next month at Libbey park with the Desert Rose Band headlining. Wahoo.

Beer on the floor, Part II: After a momentous breakup that earned them a centerpiece story in Ventura County Life, Raging Arb & the Redheads are back. Those rowdy local rockers recently performed at a fund-raiser for the Holuloa Outrigger Canoe Club at the 66 California Restaurant. They don’t know for sure when their next public gig will be, but they claim to have some new songs. After about seven years, it’s probably time for a couple new songs.

Downtown Ventura needs another furniture store, right?: That’s what’s moving in when Mogz, the no booze, no age-limit downtown club goes away at the end of the month. Owner Guy Coombs is looking for another location, but so far without success. Until he does, county thrash bands are going to have to find a new place to be loud.

Hmmmm: The Prime Directive in Santa Barbara, which used to be the Carnaval Club, will host a Battle of the Bands. It starts on May 7 and lasts for three more consecutive Thursdays. About every good band in S.B. is involved. Only one Ventura County--Ariel--band is involved. Hmmmm.

Double Hmmmm: Indica, an Isla Vista speed metal band that was recently named the best college band in America by MTV, played last weekend at Mogz in Ventura. About six or eight bald kids “danced,” while everyone else tried to stay out of the way. Best college band in America?