Richard, I've only been to Sharp's three times, but every time I thoroughly enjoyed myself and actually felt I learned something. In those three occasions I think I only heard one singer perform a self-penned song, everything else was trad. And every time I was introduced to at least one traditional song which I'd never even heard of before, let alone heard aloud.

On one occasion I sang one song accompanied by banjo and one song unaccompanied. Probably the greatest compliment I've ever had was Tom Paley saying he'd have liked to have heard more of me playing banjo. I say "probably" because of course he might just have meant I can't sing! :)

Of all the folk clubs I've been to (and I've only been to London clubs), I've found Sharp's to be the closest to what I imagine a "proper" folk club is.