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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Event
2005-05-04: Rusty's Rhythm Club
Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 12:00am
Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event
2005-05-20: Swinging InThe Hood
Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 12:00am
Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - 10:09pm
Event
2005-05-29 - Praise God In Dance
Monday, May 30, 2005 - 12:00am
Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event
2005-09-18 - De Obeah Mon
Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 12:00am
Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event
2005-10-27 - Dance and African-American Music
Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 12:00am
Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Link
2007 American Lindy Hop Championships Winners
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 12:25pm
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 12:27pm
Link
2007 US Open Swing Dance Championships Winners
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 12:15pm
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 12:15pm
Video Embed
A Brief History of the Black Roots of Argentine Tango
Saturday, March 5, 2011 - 8:16am
Saturday, May 2, 2015 - 5:30pm
Video Embed
A FOXTROT Mr Maxwell Stewart and Miss Barbara Miles demonstrate their fox-trot.
Monday, November 2, 2009 - 4:00pm
Saturday, May 2, 2015 - 5:30pm
Event
A Night at Club Alabam
Friday, May 14, 2021 - 3:19pm
Friday, June 18, 2021 - 2:03pm
Pages
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.”
