I'm just in the process of finalising the line up and programme for The Kirkby Fleetham Folk Club 2009 Winter Warmer Weekend (Feb 20th-22nd) and noticed that I have overwhelmingly female acts lined up for the event. I was conciously organising a "Ladies Day" on the Saturday but have also now noticed that the blokes aren't at all well represented on the other days as well.

This led me to have a look at other UK folk club listings and I noticed a lot (a majority) of clubs seem to book a lot more male (some almost exclusively) than female acts...... I wondered why this is?

Are there more male acts out there?

Is this just a UK thing?

Do male acts work for less money?

Is there something more (maybe unconsciously) misogynistic going on?

.....or something else?

Paul