Welcome to the Baltimore Folk Music Society
The Baltimore Folk Music Society is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to preserving and promoting folk music, dance, and tradition. BFMS sponsors regular dances, concerts, family events, and related activities year-round. Members are eligible for discounts to Society events by showing their membership card.
BFMS is a member of the Country Dance & Song Society and shares reciprocity arrangements with the Folklore Society of Greater Washington, and the Annapolis Traditional Dance Society.
Upcoming events:
BFMS 50th Anniversary Celebration! Save the dates... Oct 10-12th! Click here for details and to preregister or donate
Michael Quitt memorial event - singing, pot-luck and dance Nov 1. Click here for details
People under 21 and full-time students dance FREE at all regular BFMS dances!
We will still be requesting payment via the BFMS website.
With the end of the public health emergency, we are not currently requiring vaccinations or masks for our events. Please be mindful of others' safety and do not attend if you are not feeling well.
Volunteers power BFMS. Want to...
...learn sound engineering and meet some of the most talented folk musicians in the country?
...greet dancers at the door or bring snacks for the break?
...use your design or social media skills to help build the contra and English dance community in Baltimore?
Reach out! president@bfms.org
Keep up with the latest BFMS events in our Facebook group.
Virtual and Live Community Events
Wednesday, October 01 2025
Contra Dance
Melissa Chatham calls to the music of Cojiro: Mark Price (guitar), Jess Newman (fiddle), Ben Graubart (mandolin). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, October 06 2025
English Country Dance
An Autumn Evening of English Country Dance
8 pm to 10:30 pm
Marty Taylor: recorders, whistle & concertina; Carl Friedman: violin; Janina O'Brien: piano & whistle/bodhran; Christopher Field: Caller
Snacks are always welcome but not required!
Please register beforehand at http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, October 08 2025
Contra Dance
TECHNO CONTRA with Chloe Rosenthal DJing & j9 calling. Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Friday, October 10 2025
BFMS 50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend
We'll start with dinner and jamming at R-House on Friday Oct 10 6-9pm
Saturday Oct 11 we'll have dancing of many kinds at Lovely Lane starting at 1:30 and going until 10:30
Sunday Oct 12 we'll have all kinds of folk performances at Oregon Ridge from 12-5
Get full details at www.bfms.org/bfms50.php
Saturday, October 11 2025
2nd Saturday Dance
BFMS 50th Anniversary - Day of Dancing
Location: Lovely Lane Church, 2200 St Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218
Featuring Devine Comedy ~ Steve Hickman, fiddle and harmonica, Marty Taylor, whistles and concertina, John Devine, guitar, with Bobby LaRose, piano, and Laurie Andres, accordion
Andy Kane, April Blum, and DeLaura Padovan, calling
1:30-3:30pm: Family Dance with DeLaura Padovan calling beginner-friendly dances to the music of Devine Comedy
3:30-5:30pm: Couples dancing with Laurie Andres. Hambo lesson at 3:30pm led by Tom Zeller and Joyce Duncan
5:30-7pm: Dinner on your own at local restaurants
7:15pm: Grand March
7:30-10:30pm: The BFMS 50th Anniversary Dance with Susan Taylor and Andy Kane calling contras, English country dances, and squares to the music of Devine Comedy
10:30-midnight: After-party at Fadensonnen, 3 West 23rd Street
Admission: Register online https://bfms.org/50thAnnivRegister.php Thanks to a generous donation, admission to the Anniversary Dance will be at 1975 prices ($2 non-members, $1 members). Additional donations gratefully accepted!
Monday, October 13 2025
English Country Dance
Dancing the Evening away in English Country Style!
8 pm to 10:30 pm.
Kappy Laning calls to the playing of Andrew Tomlinson: flutes; Emily Aubrey violin; Carl Friedman: piano
Snacks are always welsome but not required!
please register beforehand at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, October 14 2025
BFMS Song Swap
We are going live and in person at the 4 Hour a Day Lutherie in Lauraville, 4305 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21214 Once a month on the 2nd Tuesday, 7:30-9:30 p.m. We're delighted to be singing in person! Bring a favorite folk-genre song or two to share with our community of singers. Chorus songs or repeated refrains are encouraged. You can lead a song, sing along, hum, listen, or add some accompaniment. No mic, no pressure, no performance. Just singing together in a friendly, supportive space! Free (pass-the-hat goodwill donation welcome)
REMEMBER: If you are sick, not feeling well, etc., please stay home.
Wednesday, October 15 2025
Contra Dance
Andrea Nettleton calls to the music of Amberwing: Emily Aubrey (fiddle), Robin Wilson (flute, concertina, saxophone), Janina O'Brien (piano, whistles, bodhran). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, October 20 2025
English Country Dance
A Monday night of English Country Dancing
8 pm to 10:30 pm.
Robin Wilson: flute & concertina; Jeff Steinberg: violin; Francince Krasowska: piano; Diane Schmit calling!
Snacks are always welcome but not required!
please register beforehand at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, October 22 2025
Contra Dance
Janine Smith and Susan Taylor call to the music of Dead Sea Squirrels: Cathy Mason (fiddle), Craig Edwards (fiddle, mandolin, and banjo), Henry Yoshimura (guitar). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
See our Events page for a complete listing of events and details.
Visit the BFMS Folk Events page for a list of some of the other folk events in the area.
www.bfms.org/folkeventsAttention BFMS Members
- Recently moved or changed your email address? Wondering why you aren't getting anything from BFMS? Please contact BFMS Membership (membership @ bfms.org) and update your contact information.
- If you have recently joined BFMS or renewed your membership and did not get anything in the mail (such as a membership Card) please contact the Membership Chair at membership @ bfms.org. Thank you.
How to Contact Us
By E-mail - use our Contact page.
We can also be reached by conventional mail at
Baltimore Folk Music Society, P.O. Box 65144, Baltimore, MD 21209.
Call the Baltimore Folk Music Society's Music & Dance Hotline! (888) 646-BFMS or (888)646-2367
or email president@bfms.org.
Membership expired? Renew on-line! See the Membership page for details.
