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
Monday, December 08 2025
English Country DanceEnglish Country Dancing with the Merrie Bande, lead by Emily
Aubrey. The more, the merrier; onstage and on the floor!
Come dance from 8:00 until 10:30 in the evening.
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Consider bringing a snack for all these people!
Tuesday, December 09 2025
BFMS Song SwapWe are going live and in person at the 4 Hour a Day Lutherie in
Lauraville, 4305 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21214 Once a
month on the 2nd Tuesday, 7:30-9:30 p.m. We're delighted to
be singing in person! Bring a favorite folk-genre song or two to
share with our community of singers. Chorus songs or
repeated refrains are encouraged. You can lead a song, sing
along, hum, listen, or add some accompaniment. No mic, no
pressure, no performance. Just singing together in a friendly,
supportive space! Free (pass-the-hat goodwill donation
welcome) REMEMBER: If you are sick, not feeling well, etc.,
please stay home.
Wednesday, December 10 2025
Contra Dance
Perry Shafran calls to the music of Sugar Beat: Elke Baker (fiddle), Susan Brandt (flute), Marc Glickman (piano). REGISTER HERE
Saturday, December 13 2025
2nd Saturday Dance7-9:30 PM (one hour earlier)
The dance is dedicated to Steve Gester, longtime BFMS member, caller and dancer, who died on Thursday, November 27.
Rebecca Anger calling to Some Assembly ~ Mary Flora - flute, sax, penny whistles, Donna Boylan - piano, Joe Klausner - violin, mandolin, Adam Lee - guitar
Dance lesson: 6:30
Online payment only. 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: $10 BFMS members & affiliates, $15 non-members. People under 21 and students with ID: free
Potluck snacks at the break.
Monday, December 15 2025
English Country DanceEvening of Dancing in the English Country style
800 pm to 1030 pm
Jonathan Jensen, piano. . .; Emily Aubrey, violin; and Steven Epstein, clarinet will play the tunes to the dances called by Kappy Laning.
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
snacks are always welcome, but most importantly, bring yourself (and a friend)
Wednesday, December 17 2025
Contra Dance
Dave Winston calls to the music of Waxwing: Tyler St. Clare (flute and feet) and Todd Shelar (guitar). REGISTER HERE
Monday, December 22 2025
English Country DanceTickets 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
Tuesday, December 23 2025
BFMS Song SwapIt’s 4th Tuesday BFMS zoom song swap! 7:30! Holiday
season....... 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!
Wednesday, December 24 2025
Contra Dance
No dance on Christmas Eve
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
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.
