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 special events:
Friday, June 19 through Sunday June 21, 2026 Catoctin Mountain Music and Dance Weekend
Saturday, June 27, 2026 Lovely Lane will be host a special Flatfooting workshop with Becky Hill at 2 pm preceding a Family Barn Dance 3-4:30
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
Wednesday, May 13 2026
Contra Dance
Too Hot Mamas (Janine Smith and Susan Taylor) call to the music of the Dead Sea Squirrels: Cathy Mason (fiddle), Craig Edwards (fiddle, mandolin, and banjo), Henry Yoshimura (guitar). 7:30pm lesson, dance 8-10:30pm at Lovely Lane Church. REGISTER HERE
Sunday, May 17 2026
Baltimore International Folk Dancers
1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter 419 Cedarcroft Road
Baltimore, MD 21212. Doors open around 1 pm. Beginners are welcome and partners are not needed. Most dances are from the Balkans, Middle East, and Eastern Europe and feature distinctive rhythms and melodies. If you are new to this type of dancing or have been at it for years, please come dance with us. We’ll be happy to share our joy of dancing with you. Requested donation: $5. Students free. Frst and third Sunday of the month. For more information contact us at: baltimore.folkdance@gmail.com
Monday, May 18 2026
English Country Dance
English Country Dancing with the Merrie Bande of Baltimore
8 pm until 10:30 pm.
Diane Schmitt will call the dances and the Bande shall play!
Do consider bringing a snack to keep the bande (and dancers) going strong!
please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, May 20 2026
Contra Dance
Luke Schoppert calls to the music of The Rock Farmers: Rachel Eddy (fiddle, banjo, guitar), Caitlin Hearn (accordion, fiddle), Richard Osban (guitar, banjo), Em Hammond (percussion, bass). 7:30pm lesson, dance 8-10:30pm at Lovely Lane Church. REGISTER HERE
Monday, May 25 2026
English Country Dance
Memorial Day Evening of English Country Dance
8:00 pm until 10:30 pm
Christopher Field will call the dances which will be played by Emily Aubrey on violin, Robin Wilson on flute and concertina and Janina O'Brien at the piano.
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, May 26 2026
BFMS Song Swap
4th Tuesday Zoom song swap
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, May 27 2026
Contra Dance
Chloe Levine calls to the music of William Brauneis (fiddle, guitar), Sam Mihavetz (cello, banjo), and Katie Stahl (piano, fiddle). 7:30pm lesson, dance 8-10:30pm at Lovely Lane Church. REGISTER HERE
Monday, June 01 2026
English Country Dance
English Country Dance Evening 8 pm to 10:30 pm.
Laurie Andres joins us at the piano, Elke Baker on violin/viola, and Marty Taylor on records/whistles and concertina will provide all the musical impetus to make you keep dancing the evening away! Kappy Laning will call!
Snacks make the break more sociable and fun, but, no pressure!
please sign up via: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, June 03 2026
Contra Dance
Andrea Nettleton calls to the music of Carl Friedman (fiddle), Andrew Tomlinson (flute), Janina O’Brien (piano, bodhran, foot percussion). 7:30pm lesson, dance 8-10:30pm at Lovely Lane Church. REGISTER HERE
Monday, June 08 2026
English Country Dance
Some English Country Dancing from 8 until 10:30 pm
Diane Schmitt will call the dances and the music shall be provided by Jeff Steingberg on violin, Barbara Goren on the cello and Janina O'Brien on primarily the piano.
Snacks make the break more social and fun, but there is no pressure to bring them, if you don't feel it.
Please sign up via: 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.
