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	2004-05-22 - 2004 National Tap Day	Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	Dance Fusion Fundraiser Dance	Monday, August 8, 2016 - 5:47pm	Saturday, September 10, 2016 - 6:54pm
Event	California Girl Jam 2006	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Event	Tap Basics \| Chester's 8 wk SERIES!	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm
Event	Archive: The History of Black Dance in America (2012)	Monday, April 27, 2015 - 3:37pm	Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 2:36pm
Event	2005-03-07 - Salute to African-American Arts and Culture	Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	CentralAveDance at The 5th Annual Uview Media Group Honor Awards 2018	Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - 8:15pm	Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - 8:18pm
Event	2005-01-21 - Swinging In The Hood Dance	Friday, January 21, 2005 - 12:00am	Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - 10:19pm
Event	Chester Whitmore and the Central Ave Dance Ensemble perform at Barbara Morrison's Juneteenth Show	Tuesday, June 1, 2010 - 1:48pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:24pm
Event	The History of Black Dance in America - Black History Month 2016	Monday, December 28, 2015 - 10:34pm	Tuesday, March 8, 2016 - 8:24pm