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:
Catoctin Weekend: June 13-15 (A few spots are left!)
The Wednesday Contra Dance returns to a weekly schedule starting January 29, 2025! Find us at Lovely Lane EVERY Wednesday, 7:30pm lesson, 8pm dance. See the Wednesday Contra Dance page 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
Monday, June 16 2025
English Country Dance
English Country Dance this Evening of June 16th.
8:00 - 10:30 pm
Emily.Aubrey on violin, Ralph Barthines on guitar, and Janina O'Brien on piano/accordion will play whatever tunes that Sharon McKinley calls.
please register at http://bfms.org.englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, June 18 2025
Contra Dance
A Special Free Contra Dance Sponsored by Richard & Lily in honor of their 25th Anniversary! Colette Mrozek calls to the music of Torrent: Nadia Gaya (accordion), Sarah Parker (fiddle) and Ross Parker (piano). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. All dance for free! Please register at: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, June 23 2025
English Country Dance
A lovely evening of English Country Dance brought to you by:
Jonathan Jenson at the piano and . . . , Jeff Steinberg on violin and Mark Vidor on the accordion. Diane Schmitt will call the dances.
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, June 24 2025 (Member Sponsored)
Baltimore Shape Note Singing
7pm 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
Wednesday, June 25 2025
Contra Dance
Greg Frock calls to the music of ContraPuntal: Charlie Pilzer (piano), Zachary Mills (fiddle and feet), and Bobby LaRose (mandolin). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Saturday, June 28 2025
BFMS Song Swap
4th tuesday zoom song swap. 7:30 The zoom song wap 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
Monday, June 30 2025
English Country Dance
English Country Dance this last day of June, 8:00 -- 10:30 pm.
Dances called by April Blum. Tunes played by Francine Krasowska on piano, Carl Friedman on violin and Robin Wilson on flute and concertina.
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, July 02 2025
Contra Dance
Penelope Weinberger calls to the music of Birch Trio: Daphne Pickens (fiddle), Molly Tucker (fiddle), Casey Murray (guitar, cello). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, July 07 2025
English Country Dance
English Country Dance Evening 8 pm to 1030 pm
Caller Emily Aubrey teaches the dances and Steven Epstein on clarinet, Carl Friedman on violin and Janina O'Brien on piano provide the tunes therefor!
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, July 08 2025
BFMS Song Swap
In-Person Song Swap!
7:30-9:30 p.m. We are live again at the 4 Hour a Day Lutherie in Lauraville, 4305 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21214 Once a month on the 2nd Tuesday. We're delighted to be back 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.
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.
