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	2005-02-20 - Pan-African American Film and Arts Festival	Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	History of Central Avenue, Session II	Sunday, November 18, 2018 - 11:17am	Friday, June 7, 2019 - 10:11am
Event	LACC Dance Concert	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:09pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:14pm
Event	The History of Black Dance in America (2015) - Sunday	Monday, April 27, 2015 - 4:28pm	Tuesday, November 24, 2015 - 2:42pm
Event	Chester Whitmore in Detroit for tap and jazz	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Event	Tap Basics \| Chester's 8 wk SERIES!	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm
Event	Dance Fusion Fundraiser Dance	Monday, August 8, 2016 - 5:47pm	Saturday, September 10, 2016 - 6:54pm
Event	Cotton Club Night - Association of Black Women Physicians	Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 11:35am	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:47pm
Event	2005-01-28 - 17th Annual International Association of Blacks In Dance Conference	Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	CentralAveDance at The 5th Annual Uview Media Group Honor Awards 2018	Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - 8:15pm	Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - 8:18pm