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:
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Southern California Lindy Society
Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 10:57pm
Monday, December 31, 2007 - 6:10pm
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Katherine Dunham Video Library and Timeline
Saturday, December 1, 2007 - 6:37pm
Saturday, April 25, 2015 - 2:04am
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Photos from Swinging In The Hood, March 18th, 2005
Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 10:55pm
Monday, December 31, 2007 - 6:04pm
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Info on Toy and Wing
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 12:01am
Saturday, April 25, 2015 - 1:35am
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Dance Downtown (LA) Schedule
Sunday, September 9, 2007 - 5:16pm
Monday, December 31, 2007 - 5:52pm
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Vintage Videos
Friday, July 13, 2007 - 12:30pm
Saturday, April 25, 2015 - 11:16pm
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Stepper's Internet Connection
Sunday, September 9, 2007 - 5:27pm
Monday, December 31, 2007 - 5:50pm
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How To Dress For Dancing
Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 10:49pm
Tuesday, January 1, 2008 - 12:55pm
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The Great Black Way: L.A.'s Central Avenue in the 1940s and the Lost African-American Renaissance
Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 2:08pm
Monday, December 31, 2007 - 5:38pm
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Origins Of Swing Dancing
Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 10:52pm
Tuesday, January 1, 2008 - 12:48pm
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Central Avenue Dance Ensemble
“One of the benefits of knowledge is that it is portable: Anything you learn you take with you wherever you go for the rest of your life.”
-Paul Thornhill
Chester Whitmore’s Message
“My approach to dance is life itself, places people and things that have happened in our lifetime and creating dance forms for the audience about feelings, emotions in life 
that they may have overlooked. In addition, I want my dances to purely entertain as well as educate. At this stage in my career, I still have much to contribute to the world of dance as a performer, instructor, choreographer and educator. While I possess many years of experience in all of these areas, and as a music historian, musician and composer, I endeavor endlessly to further develop my skills and share them with others.”
