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, May 01 2024
Contra Dance
David Giusti calls to Wyndream - Janet Muse (piano), Chelle Fulk (fiddle), and 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, May 11 2024 (Member Sponsored)
Balfolk dance (bal)
1 pm – 4 pm. The Four Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Rd. Baltimore, MD 21214
An afternoon of traditional folk dance from France and Brittany! All dances are taught. They’re easy to learn, easy to do and a whole lot of fun! Try out the bourree, hanter dro, laride, valse, polka and more! Live Music by Balfolk Balto: Ralph Dubayah, hurdy gurdy; Ted Porter, French bagpipes, mandolin; Mark Vidor, accordion. Dance Instruction by Gene Baron. $10 General Admission. For more information: mbvidor@aol.com
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
Saturday, May 11 2024
BFMS State of Society Meeting at 2nd Saturday Dance
Annual meeting of the BFMS Membership will be held at the Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212
Members arriving by 7:10 attend dance for free.
Otherwise, online payment only.
You can prepay or register for free admission to reserve your spot. http://bfms.org/secondsatpay.php
If you want to attend the meeting via Zoom, email 2ndsat at bfms.org (replace at with @) by April 30.
See Second Saturday dance event for informationon about the dance that follows
Click link above (web) or below (newsletter) to see more general info on Annual Meeting.
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
Wednesday, May 15 2024
Catoctin Weekend June 14-16Best discount on Catoctin admissions ends May 15th
The weekend is Friday June 14th-Sunday June 16th
Sunday, May 19 2024 (Member Sponsored)
House Concert with Jeff Warner
Jeff Warner will be presenting a member-sponsored house concert on Sunday, May 19 at 3. Doors open at 2:30. See 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 a sellout is expected .
Please 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.
Monday, May 20 2024
English Country Dance
English Country Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 pm
Mike Franch will lead the dancing to the music of the Geud Band of Baltimore!
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, June 05 2024
Contra Dance
Caroline Barnes calls to music by Contra Intuitive - Peggy Kaiser (piano), Ryck Kaiser (fiddle), and special guest Dan Levenson (fiddle, banjo). 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.
