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 in Detroit for tap and jazz	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Event	Archive: The History of Black Dance in America (2012)	Monday, April 27, 2015 - 3:37pm	Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 2:36pm
Event	Norma Miller 99th Birthday Bash	Sunday, November 18, 2018 - 11:28am	Thursday, December 27, 2018 - 6:35pm
Event	CADE Performs at USA Dance LA Halloween Ball	Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 1:58pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:26pm
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	Tap Basics \| Chester's 8 wk SERIES!	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm
Event	Xanadu Sing-Along	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 1:14pm
Event	The Masters of Lindy Hop and Tap	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Event	Introducing Jessie Mae Robinson	Thursday, October 18, 2018 - 4:09pm	Thursday, October 18, 2018 - 4:09pm
Event	Chester Whitmore and the Central Ave Dance Ensemble perform at Barbara Morrison's Juneteenth Show	Tuesday, June 1, 2010 - 1:48pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:24pm