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	Tribute to Michael Jackson	Saturday, May 13, 2017 - 10:43pm	Sunday, May 14, 2017 - 10:43pm
Event	Chester Whitmore "Lord of the Swing" Teaches Weekly Swing Class	Tuesday, October 8, 2019 - 5:02pm	Tuesday, October 8, 2019 - 5:02pm
Event	10th American Lindy Hop Championships (Stamford, CT)	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:58pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:58pm
Event	Chester Whitmore Dancing in the Hood with the Opus One Big Band	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Event	2005-02-20 - Pan-African American Film and Arts Festival	Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	Tap Basics \| Chester's 8 wk SERIES!	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:09pm	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:09pm
Event	LACC Dance Concert	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:09pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:14pm
Event	Dance Fusion: Central Ave Dance Ensemble perform Tango Routine at Dance Fusion in Inglewood	Wednesday, June 9, 2010 - 3:12pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:49pm
Event	Chester Whitmore in Detroit for tap and jazz	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Event	2005-01-28 - 17th Annual International Association of Blacks In Dance Conference	Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm