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	Chester Whitmore and CentralAveDance at 4th Annual Los Angeles/Leimert Park Theater Festival	Friday, August 11, 2017 - 7:38pm	Saturday, August 19, 2017 - 12:17pm
Event	Chester Whitmore "Lord of the Swing" Teaches Weekly Swing Class in February	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:25am	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:29am
Event	2005-03-18 - Swinging In The Hood	Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	CADE Performs at USA Dance LA Halloween Ball	Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 1:58pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:26pm
Event	Dunham Tradition	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:09pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:09pm
Event	Archive: The History of Black Dance in America (2012)	Monday, April 27, 2015 - 3:37pm	Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 2:36pm
Event	A Night at Club Alabam	Friday, May 14, 2021 - 3:19pm	Friday, June 18, 2021 - 2:03pm
Event	Chester Teaches Lindy Hop at Dance Dimensions Studios	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
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