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 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
Monday, December 09 2024 (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
Tuesday, December 10 2024
BFMS Song Swap
Join us at the In-person Song Swap at the Four Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21214! 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.
This event occurs every 2nd Tuesday of the Month, 7:30-9:30pm
Wednesday, December 11 2024
Sign up for NYE Gala Lottery
THis years New Year's Eve English Country Dance Gala will happen at Ballroom Blum
Email jerryandapril@aol.com to be added to the lottery (drawn about Dec 15th). See http://bfms.org/nyeGala.php for more information
Thursday, December 12 2024
Mid Winter Ball - Save the Date *Below*Put the BFMS MidWinter Ball on your calendar!
February 1 2025 not the date above
6:30-10pm Church of the Redeemer
More information coming soon
Saturday, December 14 2024
2nd Saturday Dance
7-9:30 PM (one hour earlier)
Kappy Laning calling to Amberwing ~ Emily Aubrey - fiddle, Robin Wilson - flute, concertina, and sax, Janina O'Brien - piano
Dance lesson: 6:30
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. People under 21 and students with ID: free
Potluck snacks at the break.
Monday, December 16 2024
English Country Dance
An Evening of English Coutnry Dance on Beethoven's Birthday: 8 pm -- 1030 pm
April Blum calls the dances and Jeffrey Steinberg on violin, Marty Taylor on recorders and concertina, and Janina O'Brien will provde the music thereto.
Please feel free to bring a snack to share, as it encourages socializing during the break!
And please, register at http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, December 18 2024
Contra Dance
Greg Frock calls to the music of Charlie Pilzer & Zachary Mills. Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Monday, December 23 2024
English Country Dance
An Evening of English Country Dance in a lovely hall. 8:00 -- 10:30 pm
Emily Aubrey returns to call for us, accompanied by Mark Vidor on accordion, Steven Epstein on clarinet, and Carl Friedman on the piano!
Please, feel free to bring along a snack to share, as it enhances our break time!
And please, remember to register at http://bfms.org/englishcountry.php
Tuesday, December 24 2024
BFMS Song Swap4th Tuesday zoom Song Swap 7:30
https://yorku.zoom.us/j/99950379772
Wow, Christmans eve? Yes, we can share some songs!
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!
Sunday, December 29 2024 (Member Sponsored)
Balfolk Music SessionBALFOLK MUSIC SESSION - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29th 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 France, Belgium, Brittany 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.
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.
