Party Poopage

An anonymous letter sent to a handful of city departments and the state bureau of Alcohol Beverage Control has put a stop to Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club concerts organized by Cathryn Beeks. She alleges the letters were sent by a member of the club.

“Someone has been complaining about some internal stuff, basically unhappy that the club has turned into more of a bar than a member club, so he sent a letter to the city and complained about some stuff,” Beeks says. “The night of my show [February 22], ABC undercover showed up. I think, basically, the bar was cited for not charging nonmembers more for drinks.”

Officers arrived after performances by the Blonde Brothers and Mother Grundy and shut the show down before Sam Bybee, Justice Fingers, and the Boston-based Grass Gypsys had a chance to play. Beeks says there was an audience of more than 150 people.

“[The club is] supposed to charge guests a little bit more for drinks,” Beeks says. “That was the infraction, from what I understand. But [the club] couldn’t produce a cabaret license, and that’s why the music was shut down. I’ve got shows booked there throughout the year. The Boat & Ski Club is trying to work with the city to get the music back.”

The club retained an attorney to help the club meet city requirements, which might include getting an entertainment permit (formerly known as a cabaret license).

SDPD Sgt. Howard Labore with the vice department, which issues entertainment permits, says the permits are issued on a case-by-case basis and no new licenses are being considered in the beach area at this time.

The unsigned letter, which was sent to Councilwoman Donna Frye, Mayor Jerry Sanders, and Gary Jones at the city’s Real Estate Assets Department (which controls the club’s lease), characterized the shows as wild, out-of-control parties.

“This club is not a nice place to be around,” the letter states. “The frequent barroom brawls with property damage and obscenity yelling has forced many decent members to quit.”

Nobody at the ABC would comment on this matter.

– Larry Harmon