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
Image	Chester and Charles	Friday, December 28, 2007 - 10:16pm	Friday, December 28, 2007 - 10:27pm
Book page	Chelsea Schetter	Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 10:28am	Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 11:07am
Image	Chanda Lear and the Opus One Band. In Technicolor!	Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 1:00pm	Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 1:30pm
Image	Chanda Lear and the Opus One Band. In Technicolor!	Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 12:59pm	Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 1:29pm
Image	Chanda Lear and her Baby Boo at "Swinging in the Hood" - circa Feb/Mar 2005	Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:57pm	Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 11:29pm
Image	CentralAveSign	Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm	Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm
Event	CentralAveDance at The 5th Annual Uview Media Group Honor Awards 2018	Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - 8:15pm	Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - 8:18pm
Image	Central Avenue Dance Ensemble with Fayard Nicholas and Chester Whitmore. National Tap Day, 2004, World Park, Thousand Oaks, CA	Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 2:31pm	Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 2:31pm
Video Embed	Central Avenue Dance Ensemble Video - Maxwell's in the Argyle Hotel, March 2004	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Video Embed	Central Avenue Dance Ensemble Promotional Video	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm