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 datesort ascending Updated/commented date
Event Archive: The History of Black Dance in America (2011) Tuesday, January 4, 2011 - 9:45am Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:32pm
Image DSC_4378 Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm
Image DSC_4376 Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm
Image DSC_4387 Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm
Image DSC_4385 Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm Thursday, March 10, 2016 - 6:10pm
Image DSC_4383 Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm Thursday, March 10, 2016 - 6:09pm
Image Lori Dances Hip Hop Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm Thursday, March 10, 2016 - 6:07pm
Image DSC_4379 Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm
Image DSC_4377 Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm
Image DSC_4386 Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm Thursday, March 10, 2016 - 6:11pm

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