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:
Annual Meeting: Saturday May 10 (Get your free ticket now!)
Catoctin Weekend: June 13-15 (Registration is open!)
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
Sunday, April 27 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 Central France, Brittany, the Low
Countries 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, led by Mark Vidor. 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, April 28 2025
English Country Dance
English Country Dancing with gusto!
800 -- 1030 pm
Guest musician Laurie Andres at the piano, joined by Emily Aubrey on violin, and Robin Wilson on flute and concertina will play the tunes for the dances called by April Blum.
Please register ahead, via: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, April 30 2025
Contra Dance
Melissa Chatham calls to the music of Triple Helix: Colleen Reed (flute & sax), Alexander Mitchell (fiddle and mandolin), and Keith Gillis (guitar). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Saturday, May 03 2025
Catoctin Deepest Discount Deadline
Last chance to get the lowest price on admission for the
Catoctin Mountain Weekend
Event Dates: June 13-15
www.bfms.org/catoctin.php
Monday, May 05 2025
English Country Dance
A Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, English Country Dance Style
Come in your best red, green and white and let's enjoy great calling and dancing to great music (including a Mexican waltz or two) and snacks to match
8:00 to 10:30 pm
April Blum calls to the tunes played by Emily Aubrey on violin, Marty Taylor on concertina, flutes & recorders and Janina O'Brien on piano, most of the time.
Please feel free to bring a snack (preferably of Mexican influence)!
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, May 07 2025
Contra Dance
Penelope Weinberger calls to the music of The Rhythmajigs: Patti Reum (lutes and whistles), Michael Giordano (fiddle and mandolin), Jack Maus (piano, accordion). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Saturday, May 10 2025
2nd Saturday Dance
7 PM State-of-the-Society Meeting (see below)
8-10:30 PM English Country, Contra and Waltz Dances
Andrea Nettleton calling to Ralph Barthine on guitar, Janina O'Brien on accordion, Steve Epstein on clarinet and sax, Jill Smith on keyboard
Dance lesson: If there is time after the meeting
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212
Online payment only. Pre-payment is encouraged to reserve your spot. http://bfms.org/secondsatpay.php
Admission is free for BFMS members who arrive by 7:10 PM, $10 BFMS members & affiliates, $15 non-members. People under 21 and students with ID: free
Potluck snacks at the break.
7 PM State-of-the-Society Meeting
Current BFMS Members arriving by 7:10 PM get into the evening dance free
If you are a current member and are planning to come, select a free ticket ($10 discount) at http://bfms.org/secondsatpay.php (available starting Apr 13th) and arrive by 7:10pm. Though you will not have to pay, preregistering lets us know that you are coming and gives us a means to notify people if communicable illness is reported afterwards.
Saturday, May 10 2025
BFMS Annual Meeting preceding Saturday Dance
Come be part of what we are creating together.
Bonus, get there by 7:15 and get free admission to the dance
See Saturday Dance page for dance details
Monday, May 12 2025
English Country Dance
A Spring Evening of English Country Dance
8:00 to 10:30 pm
Jonathan Jensen plays piano, Steven Epstein the clarinet, and Emily Aubrey the violin, for tunes and dances called by Diane Schmitt.
please register at:http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Monday, May 12 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
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.
