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.
Great news for students!! BFMS is now waiving the admission cost to our regular dances for individuals under the age of 21 and students who present at the door with a valid student ID. Looking forward to dancing with you!!
With the end of the public health emergency, we are not currently requiring vaccinations or masks for our events. By participating 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 and let us know if we should let attendees know about potential illness spread at our events..
We will still be requesting payment via the BFMS Website
We look forward to singing and dancing together! We once again welcome snack contributions for our dances and your help cleaning them up :-)
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.
Help spread the word, distribute our new dance flier. *Click Here*
Please download our Welcome Brochure
Virtual and Live Community Events
Saturday, December 09 2023
2nd Saturday Dance
7-9:30 PM (1 hour earlier)
Greg Frock calling to:
Back Step Cindy ~ Joe Langley - guitar and vocals, Fred Cherney - banjo, Shirley Echols - bass fiddle, Sandy Hofferth - fiddle
Dance lesson: 6:30
Online payment only. Pre-payment is encouraged to reserve your spot. 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, December 11 2023
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
Dec. 11 Sharon McKinley celebrates the 30th anniversary of her heart valve! Sharon will call dances to music by Tina Chancy (violin), Jonathan Jensen (piano) and Marty Taylor (concertina and winds).
PLEASE NOTE: Admission to this dance is free, thanks to Sharon! But on-line registration is required.
Please register at https://Www.bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212.
NOTE: Dances are mask optional and proof of vaccination not required. Participants are welcome to bring snacks to share at the break.
Monday, December 18 2023
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
Dec. 18 Diane Schmit leads the dancing with music by Carl Friedman (violin), Janina O’Brien (piano and more) and Mark Vidor (accordion).
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212.
PLEASE NOTE: Dances are mask optional and proof of vaccination not required. Participants are welcome to bring snacks to share at the break. On-line payments only. https://Www.bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, December 20 2023
Contra Dance
Janine Smith calls to Triple Helix - Colleen Reed (flute), Paul Oorts (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
Sunday, December 31 2023 (Member Sponsored)
BALFOLK MUSIC SESSION
Ring in the New Year with a BALFOLK MUSIC SESSION at the Four Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Road, Baltimore 21214. Traditional and contemporary folk dance tunes from France, Belgium and Brittany. An dro, hanter dro, mazurka, bourree, and much more! Lots of fun, and easy to play. All instruments welcome. No prior experience with the genre required. Tunebooks provided; also available in advance by PDF from Mark Vidor, mbvidor@aol.com. This is a guided jam session, not a dance session. Bring your instruments and have some fun! For more information contact Mark at the above email address.
Sunday, December 31 2023
English Country Dance
Gala New Year's Eve English Country Dance
NEW REGISTRATION INFORMATION: YOU MAY REGISTER IN ADVANCE OR AT THE DOOR with credit card. On-line payments only. https://www.bfms.org/nyeGala.php
8:00 pm - 12:30 am
Melissa Running will call dances to music by Becky Ross (violin), Liz Donaldson (piano) and Bruce Edwards (bassoon and concertina).
8:00 pm Doors open, Reception with light refreshments
8:30 pm Waltzing
8:45 pm Dancing Begins
Part 1: Dancing for the Olde Yeare
10:15 pm Break for refreshments, socializing
10:45 pm Part 2: Goodbye to the Olde Yeare
Revelry to Marke the Impending Transit
Midnight Libation for Celebration (champagne & non-alcoholic)
12:10 am Part 3: Dancing for the New Yeare and First Last Waltz of 2024
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212.
Dance is mask optional and proof of vaccination not required. There will be snacks provided but participants are encouraged to bring snacks to share.
Wednesday, January 03 2024
Contra Dance
Music by Emily Aubrey (fiddle), Tom Wright (10-string mandolin), and Charlie Pilzer (piano). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Saturday, January 13 2024
2nd Saturday Dance
7-9:30 PM (1 hour earlier)
Kappy Laning calling to Richard Osban (guitar), Joanna Clare (fiddle) and Laura Byrne (flute)
Dance lesson: 6:30
Online payment only. Pre-payment is encouraged to reserve your spot. 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.
Wednesday, January 17 2024
Contra Dance
Anna Rain calls to Starling - Jared Kirkpatrick (fiddle, mandolin, piano, feet) and Mo Brachfeld (fiddle). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Saturday, January 27 2024
2024 BFMS MidWinter BallMusic by Triple Helix with Anna Rain calling
Saturday January 27, 2024
6:15 - Social/Gathering
6:45 - Grand March
7-10 - Contra and Couples DancingChurch of the Redeemer: 5603 North Charles St Baltimore
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.
The Baltimore Folk Music Society is funded by an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.