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, April 17 2024
Contra Dance
Daniel Friedman calls to great live music from the fabulous Baltimore Open Band! Come out and support your local musicians with a great night of dancing. If you'd like to join the Open Band, please email amdance[at]bfms[dot]org. Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, April 22 2024
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
Emily Aubrey will lead the dancing to music by Carl Friedman, (violin), Francine Krasowska (piano) and Robin Wilson, (flute 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.
Please pay on-line at Www.bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, April 24 2024
BFMS Song Swap4th Tuesday Zoom songswap MOVED TO WEDNESDAY APRIL 24 7:30,
THE SONG SWAP IS BEING MOVED TO WEDNESDAY TO ACCOMMODATE THE 2ND SEDER ON TUESDAYThe 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!Lots of seasonal songs......
https://yorku.zoom.us/j/99950379772
Sunday, April 28 2024 (Member Sponsored)
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, rond de St Vincent, 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 Mark Vidor, 410-790-4072, mbvidor@aol.com
Wednesday, May 01 2024
Contra Dance
Music from Wyndream - Janet Muse (piano), Chelle Fulk (fiddle), and David Knight (fiddle). Caller TBD. Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Saturday, May 11 2024 (Member Sponsored)
Balfolk dance (bal)
1 pm - 4 pm at the Four Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Rd. 21214. Balfolk refers to traditional and contemporary folk dance from France and Brittany. It is easy to learn, easy to do, lots of fun. Among the types of dances we might do are: an dro, hanter dro, bourree, polka, mazurka and more! Some dances are partner dances, some are line dances, some are circle dances. ALL DANCES ARE TAUGHT. You don't need to have any prior experience with Balfolk to have a great time. Live music will be provided by Balfolk Balto: Ralph Dubayah on hurdy gurdy; Ted Porter on French bagpipes and mandolin; Mark Vidor on accordion. $10 general admission
Saturday, May 11 2024
2nd Saturday Dance
8-10:30 PM
Andrea Nettleman calling to Terpsichore ~ Elke Baker, fiddle, Liz Donaldson, piano, and Ralph Gordon, bass
7 pm Annual Membership Meeting, followed by the dance at 8, including ECD and contra
Dance lesson: 7:45-8:00 (if meeting has ended)
Members arriving by 7:10 attend dance for free.
Otherwise, online payment only. Pre-payment is encouraged to reserve your spot. http://bfms.org/secondsatpay.php
If you want to attend the meeting via Zoom, email 2ndsatatbfms.org (replace at with @) by April 30.
Admission is: $10 BFMS members & affiliates, $15 non-members. People under 21 and students with ID: free
Potluck snacks at the break.
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212
Monday, May 13 2024
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
Kappy Lanng will lead the dancing to music by Becky Ross, (violin), Liz Donaldson, (piano) and Mark Vidor, (accordion)
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.
Please pay on-line at Www.bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, May 15 2024
Contra Dance
Kappy Lanning calls to music by Ladies in the Parlor - Barb Schmid (fiddle), Freya Qually (guitar), Suzanne Gates (bass), and Sharon Sacks (banjo). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Sunday, May 19 2024 (Member Sponsored)
Jeff Warner House Concert
Doors open at 2:30. Music at 3. Ben Hobbs and Julie McDill have kindly offered to host this concert at their home in Towson, MD . http://www.jeffwarner.com/. Jeff rarely performs in the Baltimore area, so it will be such a treat to hear Jeff in an intimate, well ventilated, house concert setting. Reservations are strongly encouraged because we expect a sellout. Contact specialevents@bfms.org or 410-979-8150 to reserve a seat and get directions. Contributions of snacks and beverages to share are welcome. Suggested admission by cash or check is $20 for BFMS members and $25 for non-members.
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.
