I can't think why anyone would NOT consider it appropriate to sing folk songs to a non-folkie audience. I really enjoy getting the chance to do this and seeing people respond to it, often surprisingly well. You need to select suitable material for your audience but that doesn't mean you have to dumb down.

If we restrict our music and songs to settings where they're already accepted and understood, and don't take the chance to perform to wider audiences, we can't complain if we don't get the attention, media coverage and - on occasions - money that we think our music deserves.

Marje