I moved to Wash DC USA in 1977 partly because it had one of the best folk scenes anywhere- including a place near me that hosted folk music one night a week. That lasted 2 years, then the place was sold and we tried for several years to find places that would host something similar, with 'mixed' results. It has since deteriorated to a singer-songwriter hell, and I just don't go. One can find a few places where there are a few attempts at classic material mixed in with the latest pop/S.S stuff, but you never can be sure, and I HATE wasting an evening where I only enjoy 14% of the offerings.

I presume it is simply a matter of supply & demand, and there in not the demand for 'real' folk music anymore, so I make do with the occasional private gathering..(which may STILL be as good as you can find in the US!)