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	Dance Fusion: Central Ave Dance Ensemble perform Tango Routine at Dance Fusion in Inglewood	Wednesday, June 9, 2010 - 3:12pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:49pm
Event	2003-09-06 - Dancer's Groove II at the Hollywood Park Casino	Saturday, September 6, 2003 - 12:00am	Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - 10:14pm
Event	Birth of Swing	Saturday, September 10, 2016 - 6:41pm	Saturday, September 10, 2016 - 6:41pm
Event	Dancing in the Hood with Chester Whitmore and the Opus One Band	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Event	Tap Basics \| Chester's 8 wk SERIES!	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:08pm	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:08pm
Event	The History of Black Dance in America (2015) - Sunday	Monday, April 27, 2015 - 4:28pm	Tuesday, November 24, 2015 - 2:42pm
Event	2005-05-20: Swinging InThe Hood	Saturday, April 30, 2005 - 12:00am	Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - 10:09pm
Event	Norma Miller 99th Birthday Bash	Sunday, November 18, 2018 - 11:28am	Thursday, December 27, 2018 - 6:35pm
Event	Cotton Club Night - Association of Black Women Physicians	Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 11:35am	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:47pm
Event	2005-01-02 - Kwanzaa Festival	Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 12:00am	Saturday, April 25, 2015 - 11:36pm