GUEST Joe G asks - are you saying that folk music is the exclusive preserve of people who sing or play an instrument?

Yes, but there again it always has been, exactly as with any other form of music (I'd love to see a Jazz Combo comprising of people who can neither sing or play an instrument). But where you and I happen to be at odds is that with your suggested electrification and orchestration, to participate you MUST be able to both play AND sing to quite a high degree of competency as well as having all the necessary equipment, and if you can't then you are consigned to the listening audience with no hope of participating in what is going on. Your preferred innovations and experimentation also only really works on a stage in rather large venues, which further restricts who does what.

As to the description of your folk club, if people are paying to come through the door, then of course it is the responsibility of those running the club to make sure that those who will be performing are of a suitably high standard (See The Sandman's comments). But there again anyone who is prepared to pay to enter a club that states that it is a "Folk Club" should expect to hear "Folk Music" not some mumbled, mediocre rehash of some 50s or 60s hit.