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 events:
Annual Meeting: Saturday May 10 (Get your free ticket now!)
Catoctin Weekend: June 13-15 (Registration is open!)
The Wednesday Contra Dance returns to a weekly schedule starting January 29, 2025! Find us at Lovely Lane EVERY Wednesday, 7:30pm lesson, 8pm dance. See the Wednesday Contra Dance page for details.
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
Monday, May 19 2025
English Country Dance
Monday night's English Country Dance, 8:00 to 10:30 pm
Brought to you by BFMS and specifically by Robin Wilson on flute & concertina, Mark Vidor on accordion, and Janina O'Brien at the piano, usually. All dances called by Andrea Nettleton.
please register at http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, May 21 2025
Contra Dance
April Blum calls to the music of Contra Rebels: Todd Clewell (fiddle), Barb Schmid (fiddle), Henry Koretzky (guitar). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Sunday, May 25 2025 (Member Sponsored)
Balfolk Music Session
1- 3 p.m., at the Four Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Road, Baltimore MD 21214. Balfolk refers to traditional and contemporary folk dance from Central France, Brittany, the Low
Countries and a few other places. Dances include bourrée, mazurka, an dro, hanter dro and others. The music is interesting, rhythmic and lots of fun to play. Pretty easy, too!
This will be a guided jam session, led by Mark Vidor. IT IS NOT A DANCE SESSION. All musicians and all instruments are welcome. No prior experience in the genre is necessary. Music will be provided at the session. Music is also available electronically in advance. For more information, contact Mark Vidor at mbvidor@aol.com.
Monday, May 26 2025
English Country Dance
Another lovely night of English Country Dance, 8 to 1030 pm
Graced by Robert LaRose at the piano, Jeff Steinberg on the violin, Janina O'Brien on accordion and whistles, with dances called by Carl Friedman!
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Tuesday, May 27 2025
BFMS Song Swap
Tuesday May 27 BFMS zoom song swap.
7:30!
The 4th Tuesday 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
Tuesday, May 27 2025 (Member Sponsored)
Baltimore Shape Note Singing
7pm to 9:30pm. Four Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Rd. Baltimore, MD. Join us in America's oldest musical tradition! Experience the joy of singing a cappella choral music in four-part harmony. Shaped note heads aid sight reading. No experience needed, and loaner books are available. Attendance is free. All are welcome! More information https://baltimoreshapenote.org/, https://www.facebook.com/groups/bmoreshapenote
Wednesday, May 28 2025
Contra Dance
Kim Forry calls to the music of Wombat Crossing: Carl Friedman (fiddle), Robin Wilson (flute, concertina, sax), Charlie Pilzer (piano). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Wednesday, May 28 2025
Discount ticket deadline for Catoctin
Last chance to get a discount on admission for the
Catoctin Mountain Weekend
Event Dates: June 13-15
www.bfms.org/catoctin.php
Monday, June 02 2025
English Country Dance
A goodly rounde of English Country Dance on a Monday Evening.
The Merrie Bande plays the tunes called by Sharon McKinley!
please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, June 04 2025
Contra Dance
Ann Fallon calls to the music of Lovely Lane String Band: Brenna Hogan and Shane Knudsen (fiddlex2), John Sauer (guitar), Lisa Roberts (banjo), Art Abrams (bass). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.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.
