if Streets of London is passed off as folk in folk clubs on a regular basis I'd expect a tidal wave of blues, country, pop ballads, etc, to also qualify

glueman - I'm slightly surprised to find myself agreeing with you.

PA, music stand, and a repertoire which ranged from people's personal compositions to themes from "Star Wars"

Apart from the lack of PA - of which I'm very glad - this sounds like a good description of the last but one folk club singers' night I've been to. It's basically an 'open stage' club - and as such it's thriving and it's a good night. But the singarounds I go to have got something it hasn't.