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
Event	Chester Whitmore "Lord of the Swing" Teaches Weekly Swing Class in February	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:30am	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:46pm
Event	Chester Whitmore "Lord of the Swing" Teaches Weekly Swing Class in February	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:26am	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:27am
Event	Chester Whitmore "Lord of the Swing" Teaches Weekly Swing Class in February	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:23am	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:48pm
Event	Chester Whitmore "Lord of the Swing" Teaches Weekly Swing Class	Tuesday, October 8, 2019 - 5:02pm	Tuesday, October 8, 2019 - 5:02pm
Book page	Chester Whitmore	Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 9:40pm	Monday, April 20, 2020 - 7:55pm
Event	Chester Teaches Lindy Hop at Dance Dimensions Studios	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
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
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
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 and the Opus One Band. In Technicolor!	Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 12:59pm	Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 1:24pm