Central Ave Dance Ensemble

Primary tabs

Posted by somebody on Wednesday, 13 June 2007

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
Video Embed	From Jitterbug to Bop	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Video Embed	Poinciana (Herb Jeffries performance)	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm	Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:24pm
Video Embed	The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (Charles Mingus)	Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 10:04pm	Thursday, April 23, 2015 - 11:29pm
Video Embed	Baby, Work Out!	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Video Embed	Absolute Beginner's Guide to Swing: Volume IV	Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 6:15pm	Saturday, May 2, 2015 - 5:30pm
Video Embed	MaDonna Grimes	Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 7:29am	Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:37pm
Video Embed	Waltz: Anya and Danny	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm	Saturday, September 26, 2015 - 3:58pm
Video Embed	Urban Roundtable TV Interview	Monday, February 21, 2011 - 12:22am	Saturday, May 2, 2015 - 5:30pm
Video Embed	Lucky Numbers (Nicholas Brothers)	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Video Embed	Day Dream (Chester Whitmore)	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm	Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm

Pages

Group:

This is a closed group. Only a group administrator can add you.

Group visibility:

Public - accessible to all site users

Public Attachments:

cad_logo.gif