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	2005-09-18 - De Obeah Mon	Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	The History of Black Dance in America - Black History Month 2016	Monday, December 28, 2015 - 10:34pm	Tuesday, March 8, 2016 - 8:24pm
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	Dancing in the Hood with Chester Whitmore and the Opus One Band	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Event	Vernacular Jazz Workshop	Monday, April 30, 2018 - 8:14pm	Monday, April 30, 2018 - 8:14pm
Event	2003-09-06 - Dancer's Groove II at the Hollywood Park Casino	Saturday, September 6, 2003 - 12:00am	Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - 10:14pm
Event	2005-05-20: Swinging InThe Hood	Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 12:00am	Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - 10:09pm
Event	2005-01-02 - Kwanzaa Festival	Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 12:00am	Saturday, April 25, 2015 - 11:36pm
Event	Chester Whitmore interview with TheActorsChoice	Monday, April 20, 2020 - 8:01pm	Monday, April 20, 2020 - 8:01pm
Event	Central Ave Dance Ensemble performs at TV Land Awards after party	Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 12:58am	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:21pm