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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Chanda Lear and her Baby Boo at "Swinging in the Hood" - circa Feb/Mar 2005
Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:57pm
Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 11:29pm
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Chanda Lear and the Opus One Band. In Technicolor!
Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 1:00pm
Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 1:30pm
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Chanda Lear and the Opus One Band. In Technicolor!
Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 12:59pm
Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 1:29pm
Book page
Chelsea Schetter
Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 10:28am
Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 11:07am
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Chester and Charles
Friday, December 28, 2007 - 10:16pm
Friday, December 28, 2007 - 10:27pm
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Chester and the Opus One Band. In Technicolor!
Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 12:59pm
Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 1:24pm
Video Embed
Chester Does Tap, Ballet, Soft Shoe, and Conducts the Band at the Same Time
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Monday, April 30, 2018 - 3:57pm
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Chester Leads Opus One Big Band at "Swinging in the Hood" - circa Feb/Mar 2005
Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:58pm
Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 11:30pm
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Chester Leads the Opus One Band at "Swinging In The Hood", February 2005
Friday, December 28, 2007 - 10:15pm
Friday, December 28, 2007 - 10:19pm
Event
Chester Teaches Lindy Hop at Dance Dimensions Studios
Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
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.”
