hmm. i think that theres a lesson to be learnt here, albeit at a price of $30.
i'm not saying that we should mistrust all gig organisers, but i believe that bands should protect themselves before committing to anything. a quick google or ask-around would do. especially when there's $$ involved. and when it involves payment, ask for a receipt, or a contract. verbal agreement carries absolutely no weight.
another thing is that, i feel that we must make sure that stuff like this doesn't happen again. spread the word, warn your friends, we bands gotta stick together man.
regarding this issue, if there has been a contract signed by both parties, i believe that we may have a case here. we don't have to engage a lawyer to sue. i believe that a police report would do. from what i see here, the organiser is not honouring her agreement, and defaulting with the registration fee. even if there's no contract, i think evidence from this forum would suffice (of course it'll be better if bands that paid were issued a receipt).