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.
BFMS often has the need for people to fill one time or ongoing volunteer opportunities. Currently, volunteers are needed for the following: serve on the nominating committee, to help with sound for dances and concerts, grant writing, gate coverage, and to work on flyers expanding our publicity. Please feel free to contact me at president@bfms.org.
Please help support our Callers and Musicians
BFMS encourages our members to donate to musicians and callers who had their BFMS sponsored gigs cancelled due to coronavirus. We are no longer accepting donations through our website, but CDSS has established a website for donations to musicians and callers.CDSS send love to freelancers
If you cannot find contact info for specific performers, please contact our dance chairs, who can provide contact info.
Please download our Welcome Brochure
Virtual and Live Community Events
Wednesday, February 01 2023
Contra Dance
Janine Smith calls to tunes by Strings on Wings - Todd Clewell (guitar) and Barb Schmid (fiddle). Intro lesson at 7:30. Dance starts at 8 at Lovely Lane Church (now with air conditioning!). N-95/KN-95/KF-94 masks and proof of vaccination are required. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php . Attendance is limited so pre-payment is encouraged to reserve your spot. No cash at the door
Saturday, February 11 2023
2nd Saturday Dance
8-10:30 PM
Caroline Barnes calling to Contra Rebels ~ Henry Koretzky (guitar), Barb Schmid (fiddle) and Todd Clewell (fiddle)
New dancer lesson: 7:30
Online payment only. Pre-payment is encouraged to reserve your spot. http://bfms.org/secondsatpay.php
N-95/KN-95/KF-94 masks, and proof of vaccination are required.
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212
Admission is: $10 BFMS members & affiliates, $15 non-members. Under 21 and full-time students with ID: $7 members, $10 nonmembers.
In case of inclement weather, check BFMS.org for an event cancellation notice.
Monday, February 13 2023
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
Andrea Nettleton calls to the music of Jeff Steinberg (violin), Ben Hobbs (piano), Steve Epstein (clarinet).
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212. N-95/KN-95/KF-94 masks and proof of vaccination are required. On-line payments only. https://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, February 14 2023
BFMS Song Swap
BFMS Song Swap
7:30. The Song Swap is a place for folks to come together and share songs, community, and keep the live singing tradition thriving. We take turns around the circle. If you are shy about leading a song, don’t fret…we sing many songs with choruses and your voice will blend in.
While we have been getting together on zoom, the 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!
Wednesday, February 15 2023
Contra Dance
Andrea Nettleton calls to live music by Wombat Crossing - Carl Friedman (fiddle), Robin Wilson (flute, concertina, sax), Ralph Barthine (guitar), and Charlie Pilzer (piano). Intro lesson at 7:30. Dance starts at 8 at Lovely Lane Church (now with air conditioning!). N-95/KN-95/KF-94 masks and proof of vaccination are required. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php . Attendance is limited so pre-payment is encouraged to reserve your spot. No cash at the door
Monday, February 27 2023
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
February 27 TROPICAL STAYCATION EVENING! Wish you were someplace warm? Join Emily Aubrey for the traditional Tropical Staycation dance to remind us that winter doesn't last forever! Emily will call to the music of Trio Con Brio: Elke Baker (violin), Paul Oorts (mandolin, concertina), Jonathan Jensen (piano)
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212. N-95/KN-95/KF-94 masks and proof of vaccination are required. On-line payments only. https://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, February 28 2023
BFMS Song Swap
BFMS Song Swap
7:30. The Song Swap is a place for folks to come together and share songs, community, and keep the live singing tradition thriving. We take turns around the circle. If you are shy about leading a song, don’t fret…we sing many songs with choruses and your voice will blend in.
While we have been getting together on zoom, the 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!
Wednesday, March 01 2023
Contra Dance
Kappy Lanning calls to music by Terpsichore - Elke Baker (fiddle), Liz Donaldson (piano), and Ralph Gordon (bass). Intro lesson at 7:30. Dance starts at 8 at Lovely Lane Church (now with air conditioning!). N-95/KN-95/KF-94 masks and proof of vaccination are required. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php . Attendance is limited so pre-payment is encouraged to reserve your spot. No cash at the door
Saturday, March 11 2023
2nd Saturday Dance
8-10:30 PM
Andrea Nettleton calling to Rhythmajigs:
Patti Reum on flutes and whistles, Michael Giordano on fiddle and mandolin, and Jack Maus on piano
New dancer lesson: 7:30
Use this link for online payment https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php#!/Regular-Saturday-Dance/c/130232759
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212
Admission is: $10 BFMS members & affiliates, $15 non-members. Under 21 and full-time students with ID: $7 members, $10 nonmembers.
Wednesday, March 15 2023
Contra Dance
Melissa Chatham calls to live music by Petrichord - Sophie Chang (cello), Colleen Holroyd (fiddle, feet), and Bobby LaRose (piano, mandolin, bones). Intro lesson at 7:30. Dance starts at 8 at Lovely Lane Church (now with air conditioning!). N-95/KN-95/KF-94 masks and proof of vaccination are required. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php . Attendance is limited so pre-payment is encouraged to reserve your spot. No cash at the door.
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.
