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.
As a community we take the health and welfare of our members seriously.
Effective May 1, 2023 our in-person events will be mask optional. Participants are welcome to bring individually wrapped snacks to share at the break
By participating in our events you are agreeing to be mindful of the safety precautions that limit the spread of disease and to treat others with consideration and respect. Please do not attend if you are not feeling well.
We will still be requesting pre-payment via the BFMS Website
We look forward to singing and dancing together.
BFMS often has the need for people to fill one time or ongoing volunteer opportunities. Currently, volunteers are needed for the following: coordinate the 2nd Saturday Dances, serve on the Board as the Special Events Chair, help with sound for dances and concerts, write grants, 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, March 22 2023
BFMS Song Swap
4th Tuesday Zoomm songswap. 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!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/618331624855775/
Monday, March 27 2023
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
Christopher Field calls to the music of Becky Ross (fiddle), Francine Krasowska (piano) and Robin Wilson (flute, concertina, and more!!).
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
Wednesday, March 29 2023
Special 5th Wednesday Contra Dance
Special 5th Wednesday Contra Dance! Due to the many holidays in early April, we won't be dancing on our usual 1st Wednesday, so get your dance fix now! Come dance to the long-awaited return of the Baltimore Open Band, with calling by April Blum. 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, April 08 2023
2nd Saturday Dance
8-10:30 PM
Kim Forry calling to:
Dead Sea Squirrels - Cathy Mason (Fiddle), Henry Yoshimura (guitar), Craig Edwards (fiddle, banjo, mando)
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.
Monday, April 10 2023
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
April 10: Kappy Laning calls to the music of Emily Aubrey (fiddle), Janina O'Brien (piano) and Ralph Barthine (guitar).
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
Wednesday, April 19 2023
Contra Dance
Music by Ladies in the Parlor - Barb Schmid (fiddle), Freya Qually (guitar), Suzanne Gates (bass), Sharon Sacks (banjo). Caller TBD. 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, April 24 2023
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
April 24: April Blum calls to the music of Jeff Steinberg (fiddle), Ben Hobbs (piano) and Mark Vidor (accordion).
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
Wednesday, May 03 2023
Contra Dance
Come dance to live music! Andrea Nettleton calling, band TBD. 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, May 13 2023
2nd Saturday Dance
BFMS members annual meeting 7 pm
Dance 8-10:30 pm following the meeting, English Country and Contras dances
Kappy Laning calling to Terpsichore ~ Elke Baker fiddle, Liz Donaldson piano, Ralph Gordon bass
New dancer lesson: 7:45ish
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: Free BFMS members who arrive by 7:10; otherwise $10 BFMS members & affiliates, $15 non-members. Under 21 and full-time students with ID: $7 members, $10 nonmembers.
Wednesday, May 17 2023
Contra Dance
Janine Smith and Susan Taylor call to special guests The Dead Sea Squirrels - Craig Edwards (fiddle), Cathy Mason (fiddle), and Henry Yoshimura (guitar). Caller TBD. 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.
