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 special events:
Friday, June 19 through Sunday June 21, 2026 Catoctin Mountain Music and Dance Weekend (still a few spots left)
Saturday, June 27, 2026 Lovely Lane will be host a special Flatfooting workshop with Becky Hill at 2 pm preceding a Family Barn Dance 3-4:30
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
Wednesday, June 10 2026
Contra Dance
Harris Bard Lapiroff calls to the music of Rev it Up: Larry Unger (fiddle) and Besty Branch (fiddle). 7:30pm lesson, dance 8-10:30pm at Lovely Lane Church. REGISTER HERE
Saturday, June 13 2026
2nd Saturday Dance7-9:30 PM
Harris Lapiroff calling to All the Rage ~ Betsy Branch - fiddle, Larry Unger - guitar
Dance lesson: 6:30
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
Online payment only. Pre-payment is encouraged. http://bfms.org/secondsatpay.php
Potluck snacks at the break.
Monday, June 15 2026
English Country Dance
A very late spring evening of English Country Dancing between the hours of 8 and 1030 pm.
Mike Franch calls the dances which will be musically accompanied by Emily Aubrey on violin, Robin Wilson on flute/concertina and Carl Friedman on piano.
Do consider bringing a snack, however do not succumb to any pressure to do so.
Please register via: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, June 17 2026
Contra Dance
Christine Merryman calls to the music of Joanna Clare (fiddle), Billy McComiskey (accordion), Donna Long. 7:30pm lesson, dance 8-10:30pm at Lovely Lane Church. REGISTER HERE
Friday, June 19 2026
BFMS Catoctin Mountain Music and Dance Weekend
There are a few spaces left for Catoctin Weekend Camp over Father's day weekend (19-21 June). Check out info at www.bfms.org/catoctin.php. Email catoctin@bfms.org for availability
Monday, June 22 2026
English Country Dance
Join us for our early Summer Night of English Country Dancing from 8 and 1030 pm.
Jonathan Jensen at the piano most of the time, David Knight on violin, and Susan Brandt on flute will provide no shortage of musical energy for the dances called by April Blum.
Consider, however briefly, bringing a snack along; but no pressure!
Please register via: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, June 24 2026
Contra Dance
Gaye Fifer calls to the music of Paper Plane: Emma Azelborn (whistle, vocals), Daniel Raine (cittern, mandolin, guitar, feet), Rohan Weeden (guitar, accordion, fiddle). 7:30pm lesson, dance 8-10:30pm at Lovely Lane Church. REGISTER HERE
Thursday, June 25 2026
BFMS Song Swap4th Tuesday Zoom song swap. 7:30
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!https://yorku.zoom.us/j/99950379772
Saturday, June 27 2026
Flatfooting workshop with Becky Hill
Dancing is a great way to participate in old-time music! In this workshop we will explore the Appalachian percussive dance forms of flatfooting and clogging and its relationship to string band music. The goal is to give you the tools to dance at a square dance, jam session or in your kitchen. In addition to the basics, we will focus on musicality, improvisation, and what it means to dance the tune. This class will accommodate all levels, come as you are. No prior experience is necessary. Leather-bottomed or smooth-soled shoes are suggested.
Admission: $15 advance, $20 day-of.
Location: Lovely Lane United Methodist Church in Charles Village, 2200 St. Paul Street, Baltimore
Pay online at http://bfms.org/secondsatpay.php
Saturday, June 27 2026
Baltimore Family Barn Dance
Becky Hill calling, with music by Katie Stahl and Sunita Pathik
Saturday, June 27, 3-4:30pm
This fun, family-friendly event is open to all ages and ability levels and will include a lesson. Expect a lively mix of squares, sets, circles, contras, and waltzes taught and called by Becky Hill. *All children must have an adult chaperone.*
Admission: $15 non-members, $10 members, $5 kids 12 and under, $30 family max
Location: Lovely Lane United Methodist Church in Charles Village, 2200 St. Paul Street, Baltimore
Online payment only. Pre-payment is encouraged. http://bfms.org/secondsatpay.php
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.
