The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble is a multi-aged performance group led by Chester Whitmore. Our mission is to perpetuate and promote American Vernacular dances of the 20th Century. These dances include: American street dances such as Leonard Reed’s Shim Sham Shimmy, the Shorty George, the Charleston (1920s) and the Lindy Hop (1920s - 40s). These are in addition to dances derived from them like the Chicago Bop (1960s) which begat Steppin’ (1990s). We aim to show the connections between dance forms from generation to generation and their connection to music and cabaret; to show how American vernacular dances were influenced by African dance and were shaped by spirituality and slavery (liturgical dance) as well as were molded by rhythm and music (tap dance and Salsa). We aim to express the infectious healing qualities of dance, to educate audiences and to spread the joy of dance.
Recent Content:
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Killing Myself
Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - 10:48pm
Thursday, January 11, 2018 - 12:56am
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Chester Whitmore and Rusty Frank - Vaudeville Act 1993
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 12:24pm
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Toni's Greatest Hits
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:01pm
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Jitterbug History featuring White's Lindy hoppers
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:22pm
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Poinciana (Herb Jeffries performance)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:24pm
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La Cumparsita
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:24pm
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The Parker Walk
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:26pm
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MaDonna Grimes
Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 7:29am
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:37pm
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The History of Black Dance in America - Promo 2012
Thursday, February 18, 2016 - 6:40pm
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:38pm
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What is Urban Ballroom
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 2:56pm
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:39pm
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Central Avenue Dance Ensemble
“One of the benefits of knowledge is that it is portable: Anything you learn you take with you wherever you go for the rest of your life.”
-Paul Thornhill
Chester Whitmore’s Message
“My approach to dance is life itself, places people and things that have happened in our lifetime and creating dance forms for the audience about feelings, emotions in life 
that they may have overlooked. In addition, I want my dances to purely entertain as well as educate. At this stage in my career, I still have much to contribute to the world of dance as a performer, instructor, choreographer and educator. While I possess many years of experience in all of these areas, and as a music historian, musician and composer, I endeavor endlessly to further develop my skills and share them with others.”
