I think transport, locality and urbanisation have some bearing on what happens at sessions and who attends. I'm lucky in that - should I want to attend them - there are several, regular (predominantly) English tunes sessions in my area, plus a local (predominantly) French session, and two "anything goes" sessions which are a mix of traditional stuff, blues, jazz and anything that the attendees want to bring. Good musicians and singers at most of these, I have to say - and often some new faces to enrich the mix because there aren't huge distances to travel.

And, as you rightly say, Banjiman, the folk clubs Guest nights provide a fresh perspective and opportunity. Whereabouts in N Yorks are you, by the way?