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.
Great news for students!! BFMS is now waiving the admission cost to our regular dances for individuals under the age of 21 and students who present at the door with a valid student ID. Looking forward to dancing with you!!
With the end of the public health emergency, we are not currently requiring vaccinations or masks for our events. By participating you are agreeing to be mindful of the safety precautions that limit the spread of disease and to treat others with consideration and respect. Please do not attend if you are not feeling well and let us know if we should let attendees know about potential illness spread at our events..
We will still be requesting payment via the BFMS Website
We look forward to singing and dancing together! We once again welcome snack contributions for our dances and your help cleaning them up :-)
BFMS often has the need for people to fill one time or ongoing volunteer opportunities. Currently, volunteers are needed for the following: coordinate the 2nd Saturday Dances, serve on the Board as the Special Events Chair, help with sound for dances and concerts, write grants, gate coverage, and to work on flyers expanding our publicity. Please feel free to contact me at president@bfms.org.
Help spread the word, distribute our new dance flier. *Click Here*
Please download our Welcome Brochure
Virtual and Live Community Events
Sunday, June 30 2024 (Member Sponsored)
BALFOLK MUSIC SESSION
1 pm – 3 pm @ The 4 Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Rd. Baltimore MD 21214.
Traditional and contemporary folk dance (Balfolk) music from France, Belgium and Brittany. This free guided jam session is for all musicians and all instruments. No prior experience in the genre is required. Mazurka, bourrée, an dro, hanter dro, valse, rond de St Vincent, and MORE! This is a MUSIC SESSION, not a dance. Voluntary donation for the Lutherie will be collected. Tunebooks will be available at the session. Also available in advance electronically in PDF format, contact Mark Vidor, 410-790-4072, mbvidor@aol.com
Wednesday, July 03 2024
Contra Dance
Greg Frock calls to Wild Wombats of the Chesapeake - Carl Friedman (fiddle), Janina O'Brien (piano), Ralph Barthine (guitar), and Robin Wilson (flute, sax, etc). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, July 08 2024
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
Sharon McKinley will lead the dancing to music by Becky Ross (violin), Francine Krasowska (piano) and Steve Epstein (clarinet, saxophone)
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212.
PLEASE NOTE: Dances are mask optional and proof of vaccination not required. Participants are welcome to bring snacks to share at the break.
Please pay on-line at Www.bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Saturday, July 13 2024
2nd Saturday Dance
7-9:30 PM (one hour earlier)
Greg Frock calling to Charley Beller and Megan Wobus, and friends
Dance lesson: 6:30
Online payment only. Pre-payment is encouraged to reserve your spot. http://bfms.org/secondsatpay.php
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212
Admission is: $10 BFMS members & affiliates, $15 non-members. People under 21 and students with ID: free
Potluck snacks at the break.
Wednesday, July 17 2024
Contra Dance
Melissa Chatham calls to music by Ken Kolodner and Elke Baker. Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, July 22 2024
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
Andrea Nettleton calling to music by Elke Baker (violin), Carl Friedman (piano) and Robin Wilson (flute, concertina)
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212.
PLEASE NOTE: Dances are mask optional and proof of vaccination not required. Participants are welcome to bring snacks to share at the break.
Please pay on-line at Www.bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, July 23 2024
BFMS Song Swap
The 4TH Tuesday 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!
7:30 July 23. Link below
https://yorku.zoom.us/j/99950379772
Tuesday, July 23 2024 (Member Sponsored)
Baltimore Shape Note Singing7pm to 9:30pm. Four Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Rd. Baltimore, MD. Join us in America's oldest musical tradition! Experience the joy of singing a cappella choral music in four-part harmony. Shaped note heads aid sight reading. No experience needed, and loaner books are available. Attendance is free. All are welcome! More information https://baltimoreshapenote.org/, https://www.facebook.com/groups/bmoreshapenote
Saturday, August 03 2024
A SPECIAL CONTRA DANCE in partnership with Charlestown Senior Living Community
A SPECIAL CONTRA DANCE in partnership with Charlestown Senior Living Community
1:30-4:00 PM
Ann Fallon calling to music by Jumping Sharks (Robin Wilson, Emily Aubrey, and Michael Raitzyk)
Dance lesson: 1:00 PM
Online payment only. Pre-payment is encouraged. https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Location: Charlestown Senior Living Community. 719 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville, MD 21228. Follow signs for Cross Creek Station Clubhouse. The dance will be in the Conference Center within the Clubhouse.
Admission is: $10 BFMS members & affiliates, $15 non-members. People under 21 and students with ID: free
Wednesday, August 07 2024
Contra Dance
Andrea Nettleton calls to music by Megan Beller (fiddle) and Charley Beller (mandolin, banjo, feet). 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.
