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:
Save the date: BFMS Midwinter Ball Saturday 01/31/2026
Also, 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
Sunday, January 18 2026 (Member Sponsored)
GONZO BalFolk! - French and Breton Folk Music & Dance
Dance from 3 to 5:30 - Doors open at 2:30. French and Breton Folk Music & Dance. Adelphi, Maryland - for location, info and pre-registration email tedporter2000@gmail.com
Dances taught and led by dance masters - Lisa Tamres (Central French) and Fabien Goulay (Breton). Dances include Bourrées, Hanter Dro, Laridé, Gavotte, Branles and more. Beginners & seasoned, singles & couples, groups & kids are all welcome! Come to dance or listen to the band! Live Music: GONZO BalFolk! are East Coast bal folks since 2017, featuring Hurdy Gurdy, French Bagpipe, Fiddles, Accordion, Flute, Mandolin & Didjiridu!
Monday, January 19 2026
English Country Dance
English Country Dancing to warm you up on a winter night!
April Blum will call all the dances and Marty Taylor, recorders/concertina; Carl Friedman, violin; and Janina O'Brien on mostly piano will play all the music.
Consider bringing some tender morsels on which to snack, but by all means, register at http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Monday, January 19 2026
English Country Dance
English Country Dancei this Monday evening in February! (8 - 1030 pm)
Kappy Laning, caller, will determine our dances and guide our steps as Marty Taylor on whistles/recorders/concertina, Carl Friedman on violin, and Janina O'Brien usually at the the piano, will do everything to accomodate her choreographic wishes.
Please register at: http://bfmsenglishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, January 21 2026
Contra Dance
Stephan Rochefort calls to the music of Joanna Clare (fiddle), Billy McComiskey (accordian), and Jonathan Vocke (clawhammer banjo, guitar). REGISTER HERE
Sunday, January 25 2026 (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, 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, January 26 2026
English Country Dance
English Country Dancing at its warmest on a late January night!
from 8 o'clock until half past 10 o'clock
Diane Schmitt calls and Jonathan Jensen on piano and. . . ,Robin WIlson on flute and concertina, and both Emily Aubrey and Carl Friedman on violins will provide a generous supply of musical sonority for the evening.
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, January 27 2026
BFMS Song Swap
It’s 4th Tuesday BFMS zoom song swap! 7:30! New Years edition!
..... 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, January 28 2026
Contra Dance
Colette Mrozek calls to the music of Strings on Wings: Todd Clewell (guitar), Barb Schmid (fiddle), Aaron Blouin (bass). REGISTER HERE
Saturday, January 31 2026
2026 BFMS MidWinter BallDon't delay, get your tickets today!
Gaye Fifer calling to music by Handspring:
Carrie Rose (flute), Owen Morrison (guitar), Alexander Mitchell (fiddle)
6:30-10pm Church of the Redeemer
For more info, click the link above or visit
www.bfms.org/midwinter.php
Monday, February 02 2026
English Country Dance
English Country Dance, 8:00 until 10:30 pm.
Join us for some enlivening & jolly times of dances of yore!
Sharon McKinley calls the dances and Jeff Steinberg on violin, Mark Vidor on accordion and Janina O'Brien at the piano, usally, will provide the music thereto.
Snacks are always welcome. They keep our energy up!
Please register aforehand at: 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.
