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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Event
Tap Basics | Chester's 8 wk SERIES!
Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm
Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm
Event
Tap Basics | Chester's 8 wk SERIES!
Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:05pm
Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:05pm
Event
Tap Basics | Chester's 8 wk SERIES!
Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:08pm
Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:08pm
Event
Tap Basics | Chester's 8 wk SERIES!
Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:07pm
Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:07pm
Event
Tap Basics | Chester's 8 wk SERIES!
Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm
Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm
Event
The Best of The History of Black Dance in America
Monday, February 8, 2021 - 8:05pm
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 - 11:01am
Video Embed
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (Charles Mingus)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 10:04pm
Thursday, April 23, 2015 - 11:29pm
Video Embed
The Central Ave Cotillion Dance Ensemble
Sunday, December 6, 2009 - 3:31pm
Saturday, May 2, 2015 - 5:30pm
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The Ensemble Waltzes at Toys for Tots
Wednesday, June 9, 2010 - 12:26pm
Saturday, May 2, 2015 - 5:30pm
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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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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.”