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	2004-12-03 - Swinging In The Hood Dance w/ Chester Whitmore's Opus One Band.	Friday, December 3, 2004 - 12:00am	Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - 10:51pm
Event	Chester Whitmore "Lord of the Swing" Teaches Weekly Swing Class in February	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:26am	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:27am
Event	Mademoiselle Sing, Sing, Sing: An Urban Musical	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Event	CHESTER WHITMORE'S TAP & JAZZ REVUE at Union Station Los Angeles	Monday, July 3, 2017 - 5:50pm	Friday, July 14, 2017 - 10:25am
Event	2005-09-18 - De Obeah Mon	Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	The Los Angeles Public Library presents: "The History of Black Dance in America"	Saturday, August 21, 2021 - 4:18pm	Saturday, August 21, 2021 - 4:18pm
Event	Motor City Jam	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:14pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:14pm
Book page	Chelsea Schetter	Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 10:28am	Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 11:07am
Book page	Principals	Thursday, December 27, 2018 - 7:22pm	Thursday, December 27, 2018 - 7:22pm
Book page	Atiya El Amin	Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 12:39am	Tuesday, February 2, 2016 - 4:01pm