Transcript-Dancing Grandfather

His name is Vito Trindade, but I just call him avo. That’s Portuguese for grandpa. But he’s not just any grandpa. When I was younger he did not sit in a rocking chair and tell me old stories. Instead he put on his tap shoes and showed me how to dance. He uses a piece of plywood to turn his living room in Saint John into a dance studio.

At age seven my grandfather taught himself hot to dance. He learned by watching other men dance in the town square of Vila Franca de Xira.

“I feel, I don’t know everytime I put on my uniform, and I listen to the music, it looks like something some power comes into my body. I have to do something. I have to dance. I gotta jump.”

That same year he became a “Campino” a portuguese cowboy alongside his father. Everyday he would check fences, feed bulls, and pick which bulls would be sent to the bullfights. When he was almost 8 years old a bull charged and put him in the hospital for six days. It nearly killed him.

A year later he had a similar accident. While running from a bull he tried to jump a fence. The wire from the fence cut into the tendon in his arm. Today he cannot straighten two fingers on his right hand.

At the age of 13 he started tending to his own group of bulls, and by 16 he decided he was tired of entertaining bulls and wanted to entertain people instead.

While he was dancing and travelling my grandmother, Ne, was home with their two children. That’s my father on the right. Today my grandmother looks through pictures of her life in Portugal and shares her memories with me.

“There was a time when we went to Portugal, maybe ten years ago, but I’m not sure. The groups he taught in Vila Franca honoured him during a ceremony and it was nice, it really moved me. I was really happy, and it moved me to see everyone applauding for him.”

During his career my grandfather danced for many presidents and prime ministers, but he has two fans that will forever remain in his memory. He entertained Queen Elizabeth, and shook hands with a man who touched hundreds of hearts.

“This is a doctor from South Africa, Dr. Barnard. He’s the first doctor to makea heart transplant. That’s the first man that did it. He passed through Portugal and I danced for him. I feel so happy, I never forget that day.”

When my sister and I were young my grandfather started a folklore group in Saint John. I used to hate it….and yes that’s me in the red and black skirt and a puffy blouse….but today I miss it. I’m so happy I had tp put on ten layers of skirts and share the stage with my grandfather.

It started out small with only four members, then grew to 17 members. Karla Renouf was a member of Portuguese Provinces and remembers the time well.

“I don’t know it was just a good time always. We always had fun even though we didn’t want to go, but once we were there it was a good time. He always made it a good place and a happy thing, and it was a good experience, and I’ll never forget it.”

My grandfathers wish it to pass down his tap shoes to the next generation. He cannot wait to teach the next Trindade his fist dance step.

“Oh I feel great. Yes, I’m very happy. When I first find out I feel to cry because she’s my baby, my little grandaughter gonna have a baby, but you have to understand so I’m very happy now. I hace the picture right there, and I look at it , and I’m like I can’t wait to see you.”

For my avo retiring is not an option. He will continue to teach… and he will continue to dance. For STU Journalism I’m Vanessa Trindade