True Jon. Obviously what you are doing works where you are. It all makes the whole discussion a bit flawed really, because there are so many different situations being described here. Apparently the US idea of a folk club is very different from the UK idea. I suspect in Australia, a lot of our clubs are closer to the UK ones, but I don't think so many of ours are in pubs.

It's more likely that we will be operating from a space where we have to make everything happen, such as a hall. My club is in a unique space - not a pub, not a hall, but it is set up as a coffee shop. It operates as a coffee shop during the day, but it is not out in the street, so most people don't know about it. I could tell you more about it in a PM - it really is unique.

On the other hand, Sutherland Folk Club operates inside a licensed club which is different again. What I charge has to be somewhat on a par with what other clubs here are charging. Actually we are cheaper than most.

Am I right in thinking that your club has fewer guest nights and more session nights? That makes a difference. I suspect that yours being in a village makes a difference too. In Sydney there is a lot of entertainment out there. I think a higher proportion of city people expect to be entertained and pay for it. Another factor I think is that people have to travel further in Sydney to get to the folk clubs, and that has become more of an issue lately because of rising petrol prices. People are thinking long and hard before deciding to use up their expensive petrol to go out on a week night (Thursday in our case) and they won't do it unless they think it is worth their while.

So yes, there are lots of variables which all have to be balanced up and applied to each one's particular situation.