Mike’s family is from Aroostook County, and he was raised in Southern Maine. He loved the square and contra dance lessons in elementary school gym class, but it was uncool—especially for the boys—to show any interest. In college he began living out his passion for traditional music, attending coffee houses in Boston and Portland, Oregon and tuning in to local public radio stations. Entering the dance scene was more challenging, as it was uncommon then for openly gay men to be involved, and he lived many years in Germany where there were no dances. Following his husband’s retirement, the couple looked for a place to move on the Maine coast with their cat. A big draw to Belfast was BFS and the many opportunities in the area to support traditional music and dance.
