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!
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, 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.
Wednesday, July 09 2025
Contra Dance
"It's Never Too Early to Celebrate": A Special Free Contra Dance sponsored by Renate & Jeff in celebration of their 52nd Anniversary and BFMS' 50th Anniversary Year! Janine Smith calls to the music of Are We There Yet?: Charlie Pilzer (piano), Tom Wright (mandolin), & Susan Brandt (flute). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. All dance for free! Please register for a free ticket online: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php Please consider a donation to BFMS in honor of Renate & Jeff's 52nd & BFMS' 50th Anniversary.
Saturday, July 12 2025
2nd Saturday Dance
8-10:30 PM
Melissa Chatham calling to Some Assembly: Mary Flora flute, sax, penny whistles; Donna Boylan piano; Joe Klausner violin, mandolin; Adam Lee guitar
Dance lesson: 7:30
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 is $10 BFMS members & affiliates, $15 non-members. People under 21 and students with ID: free
Potluck snacks at the break.
Sunday, July 13 2025 (Member Sponsored)
Balfolk Music Session
1- 3 p.m. at the Four Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Road, Baltimore MD 21214.
Balfolk refers to traditional and contemporary folk dance from France, Belgium, Brittany and a few other places. Dances include bourrée, mazurka, an dro, hanter dro and others. The music is interesting, rhythmic and lots of fun to play. Pretty easy, too! This will be a guided jam session. IT IS NOT A DANCE SESSION. All musicians and all instruments are welcome. No prior experience in the genre is necessary. Music will be provided at the session. Music is also available electronically in advance. For more information, contact Mark Vidor at mbvidor@aol.com.
Monday, July 14 2025
English Country Dance
A lovely Monday evening of English Country dancing from 8 - 1030 pm
Paul Orts on guitar and accordion, Elke Baker on violin and Liz Donaldson make the trek to Baltimore with Kappy Laning, caller.
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, July 16 2025
Contra Dance
Kappy Laning calls the music of the Baltimore Open Band led by McGregor Yatsevitch. Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, July 21 2025
English Country Dance
A rousing night of English Country dancing on an otherwise potentially dull Monday.
April Blum calls, and Robin WIlson on flute/concertina, Emily Aubrey on violin and Carl Friedman on piano will provide all the rhythms and tunes needed!
please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, July 22 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
Wednesday, July 23 2025
Contra Dance
Andrea Nettleton 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
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.
