Since 1975, the Baltimore Folk Music Society has hosted weekly contra dances, English country dances and an annual getaway. New members are welcome, and lessons are provided. Photo by Don Willett

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For more than 40 years, Waverly residents Mike and Eileen Franch have found a warm welcome as members of the Baltimore Folk Music Society. “It has been one of the most important communities in our lives through the years,” said Mike.

The Baltimore Folk Music Society (BFMS) was founded in 1975 with the goal of “teaching, preserving and promoting” the music, dance and traditions of America. The group holds regular singalongs, participatory dances — in the style of English country dance or contra dance — as well as an annual mountain retreat.

For the uninitiated, English country dance is a type of social dance that originated in the British Isles and is performed by a group of people, usually in couples, but with partners changing throughout the set.

Contra dance is most common in the United States and is made up of long lines of couples, with the dance led by a caller (similar to American square dancing).

“You don’t need any experience to participate in these dances, and you don’t need a partner,” said Mike. “Everyone is welcome and everyone winds up dancing.”

Andrea Cooper has also been involved with the group since its inception. An artist, Cooper, now 63, grew up with folk music.

When she first moved to Baltimore in 1974, she was looking for her “tribe” and came across several folk musicians who were performing in Hampden. Together they formed the BFMS, hoping to revive the folk music tradition.

In addition to weekly dances, BFMS hosts monthly music sessions, where musicians get together to play or sing traditional and contemporary folk dance music.

“You can share a song or you can simply sit and listen,” said Cooper, adding that the music runs the gamut from songs popular in 1800 to familiar tunes of today.

All ages welcome

Both Cooper and the Franchs are proud of the intergenerational aspect of the society, whose participants range in age from their 20s to their 80s.

Many members’ children also grew up attending BFMS events, adding to the family atmosphere. “My kids grew up going to the annual weekend, and it was something we looked forward to all year,” said Cooper.

Cooper believes that the group has remained popular through the years because it provides a sense of community and commonality.

“When you come together and swing your partner, smile, make eye contact, you’re being part of something greater than yourself,” she said.

BFMS does not perform for the public. “It’s simply a participatory activity that gives people the opportunity to be with other people,” said Cooper. “There is no end goal in sight. We get together just for the pleasure of making music and dancing.”

Summer weekend retreat

One of the most popular activities BFMS sponsors is its spring Catoctin Mountain Music and Dance Weekend, scheduled this year for June 14 to 16.

In addition to workshops on dance, instrumental music, singing, crafts, yoga, juggling and storytelling, there are contra, square, English and international dances on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as opportunities to hike, swim or just hang out.

“BFMS has remained a very important part of our life, and our three children grew up in this wonderful music and dance community,” said Diane Friedman, who joined BFMS in 1977 with her husband, Carl. “It’s wonderful to behold the interactions between the youngsters and the older folks,” added Carl, who is now the group’s vice president.

Besides the friendships formed and the sheer enjoyment of the music and dance, Carl, a retired physician, likes the fact that when you’re singing, dancing or playing an instrument, you’re not just sitting in an audience, “you’re doing something active.”

He added that the dances are not complicated and don’t require any special skill, as the steps are called and demonstrated before the dance actually begins. “This is something you can start at any age,” he said.

Join the dance

Everyone is welcome to drop in to the singalongs (called “song swaps”) and dances. Song swaps are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.

The 2nd Tuesday Song Swap is held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd. There’s no admission charge, but a small cash donation is appreciated. For more information, contact Jeff Peacock at jffpavo@gmail.com.

The 4th Tuesday Song Swap is held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Four Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Rd. For more information, visit fourhourday.org/events or contact Ty St. Clare at tyler@fourhourday.org or (443) 604-7621.

For those interested in dancing, BFMS hosts two weekly dances. English Country Dancing is held from 8 to 10:30 p.m. every Monday at the Church of the Nativity, 6112 York Rd. Admission is $9 for members, $13 for non-members. Members under 21 and full-time students with ID pay $4; non-members pay $6. Beginners are always welcome. All dances are taught.

American Contra and Square Dancing is held from 8 to 10:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, 2200 St. Paul St. Admission is $9 for members, $13 for nonmembers. Members under 21 and full-time students with ID pay $4; non-members pay $6.

A quick lesson precedes each dance. Music and dance styles include New England, Southern Appalachian and Celtic.

Free workshops introducing basic contra dance figures take place every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call the BFMS hotline at 888-646-BFMS or email amdance@bfms.org.

For a complete listing of upcoming activities and events, including the Catoctin Mountain Music and Dance Weekend, visit bfms.org.