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 New Years Eve English Dance Gala 12/31/2025
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, December 28 2025 (Member Sponsored)
BALFOLK MUSIC SESSION1- 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, December 29 2025
English Country Dance
A Winter Evening of English Country Dance, 8 to 1030 pm. April Blum will call and Mark Vidor, accordion; Carl Friedman, piano; and Emily Aubrey, violin, shall play and you all shall dance! please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, December 31 2025
Contra Dance
No dance on New Year's Eve
Wednesday, December 31 2025
New Year's Eve English Country DanceA New Year's Eve Gala English Country Dance Party!
6:30 pm until 12:30 amEmily Aubrey, along with Sharon McKinley will
be calling and Elegant Echoes (Liz Donaldson, Becky Ross and
Colleen Reed) will provide all the music you could require.
Reception and Decorating 6:30
Potluck Supper 7:15
Dancing begins at 8:30 Dessert Break ca
10:30 More Dancing ensues
A Champagne Toast at Midnight
This event is co-sponsored by BFMS and FSGWTickets are at 2019 prices!
Thursday, January 01 2026
Mid Winter Ball - Save the Date *Below*Tickets are now available!
January 31 2026 not the date above
6:30-10pm Church of the Redeemer
For more info, click the link above or visit
www.bfms.org/midwinter.php
Monday, January 05 2026
English Country Dance
A Winter Evening of English Country Dance
8 pm to 1030 pm
Christopher Field calls the dances and all the tunes thereof shall be played by Emily Aubrey, violin; Robin Wilson, flute/concertina; and Janina O'Brien, piano, mostly.
snacks are always welcomed, encouraged but never insisted upon
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, January 07 2026
Contra Dance
Kim Forry calls to the music of Furnace Mountain: Aimee Curl (bass), Dave Van Deventer (fiddle), and Morgan Morrison (guitar, bouzouki). REGISTER HERE
Saturday, January 10 2026
2nd Saturday Dance
7-10:30 PM
Chloe E. W. Levine calling to Wombat Crossing: Charlie Pilzer (piano), Robin Wilson (flute, concertina, sax) and Carl Friedman (fiddle)
Dance lesson: 6:30
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.
Monday, January 12 2026
English Country Dance
English Country Dance on a Winter Night
8 pm until 1030 pm
Andrea Nettleton returns to call the dances that will then be played by Jeff Steinberg on violin; Carl Friedman on piano; and Mark Vidor on the accordion.
Snacks are encouraged but never insisted upon. Most importantly,
please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay/php
Wednesday, January 14 2026
Contra Dance
Alyssa (Lyss) Adkins calls to the msucis of Gus LaCasse (fiddle) and Pepin Mittelhauser (guitar). REGISTER HERE
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.
