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	Chester Whitmore "Lord of the Swing" Teaches Weekly Swing Class in February	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:28am	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:46pm
Event	2005-02-25 - Compton Conservatory of Music	Monday, February 28, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	Central Ave Dance Ensemble performs at Maxwell DeMille's Cicada Club in LA	Tuesday, May 4, 2010 - 2:02pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:18pm
Event	Chester Whitmore and CentralAveDance at 4th Annual Los Angeles/Leimert Park Theater Festival	Friday, August 11, 2017 - 7:38pm	Saturday, August 19, 2017 - 12:17pm
Event	The History of Black Dance in America - Part 2	Tuesday, January 25, 2022 - 9:08pm	Tuesday, February 8, 2022 - 11:30am
Event	A Tribute to Norma Miller	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Event	Chester Whitmore "Lord of the Swing" Teaches Weekly Swing Class in February	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:25am	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:29am
Event	2005-03-18 - Swinging In The Hood	Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	Motor City Jam	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:14pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:14pm
Event	Dunham Tradition	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:09pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:09pm