Central Ave Dance Ensemble

The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble

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:

Type	Title	Post date	Updated/commented date
Image	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
Image	Chanda Lear and the Opus One Band. In Technicolor!	Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 1:00pm	Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 1:30pm
Image	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
Image	Chester and Charles	Friday, December 28, 2007 - 10:16pm	Friday, December 28, 2007 - 10:27pm
Image	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
Image	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
Image	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