I have just returned from a Folk Festival too. Warwick this weekend.

There were teaching workshops on rapper dancing; stepping; story telling fiddle playing; pottery; concertina playing at various levels and styles; songs; playing bones; guitar tunings; shape note singing; tai chi; cotswold morris; tenor banjo; french dancing; bones playing; writing tunes; harmonies; bodrhan workshops etc.....

Music included: groups of various types; music hall; crumhorns; didgeridoo; harmony;singer-songwriters;irish; scottish; comedians who played and sang; folk rock bands; chunky spanish guitar rhythms; afro-fusion; shanties; hurdy gurdies; accordions;asturian music; english dance tunes; irish dance tunes; scottish dance tunes; chartoppers;satirists;samba; slavic rhythms etc etc.....

There were hundreds of younger people (which I define as under 30), some came for the music, some for the dance, some to learn, some came to teach and many came to perform. Some came to meet up with mates and some came to keep me up late at night with their incessant melodeon, guitar,fiddle, whistle, bodhran, flute, saxophone, oboe and accordion playing.

In my opinion most folk festivals are like this to a larger or smaller extent. I went to my first one in the 1960's and have been to dozens since then.

I am not sure where the original poster is coming from - but since he or she suggest setting up a club of their own - different to the ones that now exist presumably - would he or she be kind enough to let us know when and where it is, how it is different form what has gone on so far, and I for one would love to see it succeed.

Do let us know how you get on.

Dave