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
Wednesday, October 04 2023
Contra Dance
Come dance to fabulous music by the Baltimore Open Band with calling by Greg Frock. Interested in joining the Open Band? Email amdance[at]bfms.org for information. Intro lesson at 7:30. Dance starts at 8 at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, October 09 2023
English Country Dance
Christopher Field calls dances to the music of Emily Aubrey, fiddle; Carl Friedman, piano; and Marty Taylor, whistles and concertina.
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
Saturday, October 14 2023
2nd Saturday Dance
8-10:30 PM
April Blum calling to:
Wild Wombats of the Chesapeake ~ Carl Friedman - fiddle, Robin Wilson - flute, concertina, sax, Ralph Barthine - guitar, Janina O’Brien - piano, accordion, bodhran, whistle
Dance 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: free. Potluck snacks at the break.
We learned George Mercer, a long time member of BFMS, died recently while recuperating from injuries he received a couple of months ago. In honor of his memory, if you are so inclined, wear a shirt with a Hawaiian flower pattern. George wore this style of shirt to dances.
Wednesday, October 18 2023
Contra Dance
Kappy Lanning calls to Contre Temps - McGregor Yatsevitch (fiddle, mandolin), Andrew Tomlinson (flute), and Mark Vidor (accordion, piano). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Sunday, October 22 2023 (Member Sponsored)
Balfolk Music Session
BALFOLK MUSIC SESSION
1 pm – 3 pm @ The 4 Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Rd. Baltimore MD 21214. Traditional and contemporary folk dance (Balfolk) music from France, Belgium and Brittany. This free guided jam session is for all musicians and all instruments. No prior experience in the genre is required. Mazurka, bourrée, an dro, hanter dro, valse, gavotte de l’Aven, and MORE! This is a MUSIC SESSION, not a dance. Voluntary donation for the Lutherie will be collected. Tunebooks: Tunebooks will be available at the session. Also available in advance electronically in PDF format, contact mbvidor@aol.com. Information: Mark Vidor, 410-790-4072, mbvidor@aol.com
Monday, October 23 2023
English Country Dance
October 23: April Blum leads the dancing to the music of Carl Friedman, (violin); Janina O'Brien (piano and more) and Robin Wilson (flute, concertina)
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
Saturday, October 28 2023
Autumn Assembly English Country Dance Ball
Save the Date!
October 28 2023
Autumn Assembly English Country Dance Ball
12 noon-3:30 PM
Come to our afternoon ball with refreshments, beautiful dancing, and elegant music by Trio con Brio (Elke Baker, violin; Paul Oorts, strings; and Jonathan Jensen, piano).
Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210
Registration opening soon
Wednesday, November 01 2023
Contra Dance
Quill Duvall calls to Callithump - Glyn Collison (mandolin), Andrew Marcus (accordion), David Knight (fiddle). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Saturday, November 11 2023
2nd Saturday Dance
7-9:30 PM (1 hour earlier)
Kim Forry calls to Amberwing, Emily Aubrey, Robin Wilson and Janina O'Brien
Dance lesson: 6:30 PM
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: free
Potluck snacks at the break.
Monday, November 13 2023
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
November 13: Emily Aubrey calls dances to the music of Jeff Steinberg, (violin); Charlie Pilzer (piano) and Steve Epstein (clarinet).
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
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.
