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:
Save the date: BFMS New Years Eve English Dance Gala 12/31/2025
Save the date: BFMS Midwinter Ball Saturday 02/01/2026
Also, thank you all for participating in the BFMS 50th Anniversary Celebration! You can still help us out by donating to the Society.
Names and pictures for many we have lost can be seen here
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
Monday, November 24 2025
English Country Dance
Dance the calories away beforehand by joining us for an
English Country Dance 8 pm to 1030 pm!
Emily Aubrey will call and Jeff Steinberg on violin, Mark Vidor on accordion, and Janina O'Brien on piano will all play!
snacks not required but absolulely welcomed!
please register here:
http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, November 25 2025
BFMS Song Swapt’s 4th Tuesday BFMS zoom song swap! 7:30!
Getting close to Thnaksgiving. Lots of good songs.
The zoom song swap is a place for folks to come together and share songs, community, and keep the live singing tradition thriving. While we have been getting together on zoom, the 4th Tuesday BFMS songswap has become transcontinental and international with participants from west, farther west, and north and northwest across the border. You can drop in on the zoom and meet (and hear / sing with) some nice folks we 're not likely to meet in person!
https://yorku.zoom.us/j/99950379772
Wednesday, November 26 2025
Contra Dance
Chloe Levine calls to the music of Roundtuit: Rebecca Weiss (fiddle) & Charlie Pilzer (piano). The Pre-Thanksgiving Dance! Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, December 01 2025
English Country Dance
English Country Dance Evening from 8:00 to 10:30 pm.
Begin this month of December with some moves on the dance floor!
Janina O'Brien, piano . . , Mark Vidor, accordion and Carl Friedman on violin will play whatever Christopher Field decides to call!
Snacks are encouraged but not at all required.
Please sign up at http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, December 03 2025
Contra Dance
Qwill Duvall calls to the music of Raven & Goose: Corwin Zekley (fiddle), Grace Fellows (piano). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, December 08 2025
English Country Dance
English Country Dancing with the Merrie Bande, lead by Emily Aubrey.
The more, the merrier; onstage and on the floor!
Come dance from 8:00 until 10:30 in the evening.
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Consider bringing a snack for all these people!
Tuesday, December 09 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, December 10 2025
Contra Dance
Perry Shafran calls to the music of Sugar Beat: Elke Baker (fiddle), Susan Brandt (flute), Marc Glickman (piano). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Saturday, December 13 2025
2nd Saturday Dance
7-9:30 PM
Rebecca Anger calling to Some Assembly ~ Mary Flora - flute, sax, penny whistles, Donna Boylan - piano, Joe Klausner - violin, mandolin, Adam Lee - guitar
Dance lesson: 6:30
Online payment only. Pre-payment is encouraged. http://bfms.org/secondsatpay.php
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212
Admission: $10 BFMS members & affiliates, $15 non-members. People under 21 and students with ID: free
Potluck snacks at the break.
Monday, December 15 2025
English Country Dance
An Evening of English Country Dance, from 8:00 - 10:30 pm
featuring:
Kappy Laning calling to music provided by Jonathan Jensen, piano...., Emily Aubrey, violin and Steven Epstein, clarinet.
You might very well work up some hunger, so consider bringing along some snacks to share, if you wish.
please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.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.
