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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Title
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Book page
Chelsea Schetter
Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 10:28am
Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 11:07am
Book page
Bernadette Sebastian
Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 10:24am
Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 11:06am
Link
Lindy Hop Featured in Life Magazine, August 23, 1943
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - 11:40am
Thursday, March 17, 2016 - 7:38pm
Book page
Interviews with Chester Whitmore
Saturday, January 9, 2016 - 2:48pm
Monday, April 20, 2020 - 7:52pm
Event
The History of Black Dance in America - Black History Month 2016
Monday, December 28, 2015 - 10:34pm
Tuesday, March 8, 2016 - 8:24pm
Video Embed
MaDonna Grimes
Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 7:29am
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:37pm
Event
Motor City Jam
Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:14pm
Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:14pm
Event
10th American Lindy Hop Championships (Stamford, CT)
Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:58pm
Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:58pm
Event
AfricaDance & Drum Conference
Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:55pm
Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:55pm
Book page
Brian Yip
Friday, June 19, 2015 - 1:01pm
Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 11:07am
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.”
