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Dancin' Dave

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Dancin' Dave Whatley posing next to his Headland Peanut during the unveiling in 2015.

Dave Whatley (31 March 1927 – 21 September 2015), better known as Dancin' Dave, was an American street performer and local celebrity in the Wiregrass, especially around Dothan, Alabama. He was well known for his dances which he would perform for a small offering, and his white sailor uniform.[1]

Biography

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Dave was born on March 31, 1927, in Headland, Alabama to Dave Woodruff Whatley and Catherine Pouncey Whatley,[2] he was one of 15 children.[3] His father passed away when he was only 12, and he was sent to Georgia to live with family. He spent most of his life walking around the Wiregrass, doing odd jobs for money. He performed his gig for nearly seven decades.[4] He would become a fixture at local events such as festivals, where he performed.[5] Many rumors and tales would spread about him, speculating about his backstory.[6] He would perform for many years, until 2015 when his failing health would cause him to move in with his sister.[7] He would pass away later that year from cancer on September 21 at the age of 88.[8]

Legacy

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Dave was a very well known figure in Dothan and the Wiregrass, and was beloved by locals. A peanut statue of him was unveiled in the town, a tradition reserved usually for high-profile figures,[9] just two months prior to his death. He was honored in Dothan's 2015 annual national peanut festival parade.[10] A mural dedicated to him was unveiled in 2017, painted by Atlanta artist Charly Palmer.[11] Fundraisers were held to get his grave, originally unmarked, a tombstone,[12] but after an anonymous donor provided it instead the funds were given to a food bank.[13]

References

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  1. ^ Griffin, Lance (2015-07-18). "Wiregrass icon Dancin Dave dies at 88". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  2. ^ "Dave "Dancing Dave" Whatley (1927-2015) - Find A..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  3. ^ "Dancin' Dave may soon have his own statue". al. Associated Press. 2015-03-01. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  4. ^ Hackett, Madeleine. "The Legacy of Dancing Dave". WTVY News 4. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  5. ^ Hare, Jay (2015-07-10). "Dancin' Dave peanut statue to be unveiled July 18". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  6. ^ McClenton, Demetria. "Elementary School Honors Dothan Legend, Dancin' Dave". WTVY News 4. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  7. ^ Griffin, Lance (2015-07-18). "Dancin' Dave now has his own Peanut statue". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  8. ^ WSFA 12 News Staff. "Wiregrass icon Dancin' Dave laid to rest". WSFA 12 News. Retrieved 2021-12-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Walker-James, Jennifer. "His Final Dance: A Tribute to the Man They Called Dancin' Dave". Thursday Review. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  10. ^ "Part 2: Scenes from National Peanut Festival Parade". Montgomery Advertiser. 2015-11-16. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  11. ^ Griffin, Lance. "Dancin' Dave reappears downtown in Dothan's newest mural". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  12. ^ Hyde, Kimberly (2016-09-29). "Memorializing a Local Legend". WTVY News 4. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  13. ^ Lorraine, Alison. "Dothan's Dancin' Dave gets grave marker from anonymous donor". WTVY News 4. Retrieved 2021-12-30.