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.
Starting May 1, 2023, unless otherwise noted, we will be not be requiring vaccinations and masks for in-person events. Some dances in May and June may still require masks - check the individual event listings for details. 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 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, June 07 2023
Contra Dance
Steve Gester calls to music by Contra Intuitive - Ryck Kaiser (fiddle) and Peggy Shutes Kaiser (keyboard) with speical guest Dan Levenson (banjo, fiddle). Intro lesson at 7:30. Dance starts at 8 at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Saturday, June 10 2023
2nd Saturday Dance
8-10:30 PM
Andrea Nettleton calls to Amberwing, Emily Aubrey, Robin Wilson and Janina O'Brien
New dancer lesson: 7:30 PM
Use this link for online payment https://bfms.org/contradancepay.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. Under 21 and full-time students with ID: $7 members, $10 nonmembers.
Monday, June 12 2023
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
June 12: Christopher Field calls to the music of Elke Baker (fiddle), Janina O'Brien (piano), and Barbara Gorin (cello).
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212.
PLEASE NOTE: Starting May 1, 2023, unless otherwise noted, we will be not be requiring vaccinations and masks for in-person events. Participants are welcome to bring individually wrapped snacks to share at the break. On-line payments only. https://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, June 13 2023
BFMS Song Swap
2nd Tuesday Zoom songswap. 7:30., this week (June 13) The 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 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!
Friday, June 16 2023
BFMS Catoctin Mountain Music & Dance Weekend
BFMS Catoctin Mountain Music and Dance Weekend * Thurmont, MD
From Potluck dinner on Friday, June 16 through Supper on Sunday, June 18, 2023
Join dancers and musicians of all ages for a participatory intergenerational weekend of dancing, singing, workshops, jamming, crafts, hiking and more in a beautiful mountain setting from $99 per person ($129 after May 15th). All cabins updated (overhead fans, electric outlets), and don't forget the heated pool. New this year: dancing and workshops on Sunday afternoon!
Wednesday, June 21 2023
Special Contra Dance in Honor of Renate and Jeff's 50th Anniversary
Please join Renate and Jeff for a special contra dance to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary! The location is the usual, Lovely Lane Church in Baltimore, but admission is free because Renate and Jeff are sponsoring the dance. Just register as usual (link to come). All are welcome! Intro workshop at 7:30pm.
Anna Rain will be calling to the music of Are We There Yet - Susan Brandt (flute), Tom Wright (mandolin), and Charlie Pilzer (on piano and squeezebox).
A note from Renate and Jeff: We danced our first contra 36 years ago on a Wednesday night at Lovely Lane, and we would love to have you celebrate with us by doing what we love the most—dancing with the friends who have been so dear to us over the years. No presents, please, but if you like, please consider a donation to the Baltimore Folk Music Society.
Monday, June 26 2023
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
June 26: Emily Aubrey calls while Laurie Andres (accordion), Jonathan Jensen (piano), and Susan Brandt (flute) play the tunes.
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212.
PLEASE NOTE: Starting May 1, 2023, unless otherwise noted, we will be not be requiring vaccinations and masks for in-person events. Participants are welcome to bring individually wrapped snacks to share at the break. On-line payments only. https://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, June 27 2023
BFMS Song Swap
4th Tuesday Zoom songswap. 7:30., this week (June 27) The 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 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, July 05 2023
Contra Dance
Come contra dance to live music! Band and caller TBD. Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Saturday, July 08 2023
2nd Saturday Dance
8-10:30 PM
TBD calling to:
Contre Temps ~ McGregor Yatsevich - fiddle/mandolin, Andrew Tomlinson - flute, Mark Vidor - accordion/piano
New dancer lesson: 7:30
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. Under 21 and full-time students with ID: $7 members, $10 nonmembers.
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.