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	Dance Fusion: Central Ave Dance Ensemble perform Tango Routine at Dance Fusion in Inglewood	Wednesday, June 9, 2010 - 3:12pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:49pm
Event	AfricaDance & Drum Conference	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:55pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:55pm
Event	10th American Lindy Hop Championships (Stamford, CT)	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:58pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:58pm
Event	2004-01-11 - Monsoon's In Santa Monica Opening Night	Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 12:00am	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:00pm
Event	L.A. Trade Tech Dance Ensemble Reunion '06	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:10pm
Event	Motor City Jam	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:14pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:14pm
Event	LACC Dance Concert	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:09pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:14pm
Event	"HEALING THROUGH MUSIC" STRAIGHT JAZZ WITH A SPLASH OF BLUES	Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 6:32pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:17pm
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	Central Ave Dance Ensemble performs at Santa Monica Tango Festival	Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - 1:08am	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:20pm