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:
Saturday March 21st: Baltimore Family Barn Dance followed by Techno Contra
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, February 04 2026
Contra Dance
Greg Frock calls to the music of The Rhythmajigs: Patti Reum, flutes and whistles; Michael Giordano, fiddle and mandolin; Jack Maus, piano, accordion. REGISTER HERE
Monday, February 09 2026
English Country Dance
A late winter evening of English Country Dance, beginning at 8 and ending at half past 10 pm.
Robin Wilson on concertina and flute; Emily Aubrey on violin and Carl Friedman on piano will play any and all tunes needed for the dances called by Christopher Field, caller.
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, February 10 2026
BFMS Song Swap
2nd Tuesday IN PERSON BFMS Song Swap
At the 4 Hour Day Lutherie in Lauraville, 4305 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21214
Once a month on the 2nd Tuesday. We're delighted to be back 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, February 11 2026
Contra DanceLuke Schoppert calls to the music of Contra Intuitive: Peggy Kaiser (piano), Gina Faber (mandolin/fiddle), Ryck Kaiser (fiddle). REGISTER HERE
Saturday, February 14 2026
2nd Saturday Dance7-9:30 PM (one hour earlier)
Greg Frock calling to Lovely Lane String Band ~ Brenna Hogan - fiddle, Shane Knudsen - fiddle, Art Abrams - bass, John Sauer - guitar, Lisa Roberts - banjo
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, February 16 2026
English Country Dance
Another late winter evening of English Country Dance ready to warm up your hearts and toes! 8 pm to 1030 pm.
Kappy Laning will determine our dances and help us mind our steps while Janina O'Brien at the piano for the most part, Carl Friedman on violin and Marty Taylor on whistles/recorders/concertina will do their best to accommodate any and all of Kappy's choreographic wishes.
Snacks are welcome and more importantly, are you!
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, February 18 2026
Contra Dance
Daniel Friedman calls to the music of Wombat Crossing: Carl Friedman (fiddle), Robin Wilson (flute, concertina, sax), and Charlie Pilzer (piano). REGISTER HERE
Monday, February 23 2026
English Country Dance
English Country Dancing at our annual Staycation; when we pretend be somewhere tropical and thus, wamer: from 8 until 1030 pm.
Please consider wearing your tropical best. Your attire is part of the evening's decor!
Jonathan Jensen at primarily the piano; Susan Brandt on flute; and Paul Oorts on guitar, accordion and perhaps another instrument of his choice, will aptly provide the tunes determined by our Caller, Emily Aubrey.
Snacks are always welcome, but if bringing coconuts, please provide extraction tools as well.
Please register via the electronic device of choice at: http://bfms.org.englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, February 25 2026
Contra Dance
Perry Shafran calls to the music of Steve Epstein (clarinet), Janina O'Brien (accordion, bodhran, whistle), and Charlie Pilzer (piano). REGISTER HERE
Wednesday, March 04 2026
Contra Dance
April Blum calls to the music of Lovely Lane String Band: Brenna Hogan and Shane Knudsen on fiddle, John Sauer on guitar, Lisa Roberts on banjo, and Art Abrams on bass. 8-10:30pm at Lovely Lane Church. 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.
