I don't agree with your thesis, WLD, that folk is alienating. I've watched morris at Oxford Folk Festival and Chippenham this year, both out in the town, and there were large crowds stopping to stand and watch and chat to each other about what they were seeing. The responses generally seemed very enthusiastic. The same thing happened ouside my village pub last week. Loads of people came out to watch. They weren't embarrassed or dismissive - I would say the best description of their response was intrigued ands supportive.