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	2004-12-18 - Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach	Friday, December 17, 2004 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	2005-10-27 - Dance and African-American Music	Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	Chester Whitmore "Lord of the Swing" Teaches Weekly Swing Class in February	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:23am	Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 3:48pm
Event	2004-01-11 - Monsoon's In Santa Monica Opening Night	Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 12:00am	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 5:00pm
Event	Queen of Swing Documentary hosted by Norma Miller with the Woody Woods Quartet (Las Vegas, NV)	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm	Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:08pm
Event	2004-09-04 African Marketplace	Saturday, September 4, 2004 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	Tribute to Sam Cooke	Saturday, May 13, 2017 - 10:40pm	Monday, May 22, 2017 - 11:22pm
Event	2005-05-29 - Praise God In Dance	Monday, May 30, 2005 - 12:00am	Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 3:46pm
Event	CADE at the Central Avenue Jazz Festival	Sunday, July 21, 2019 - 4:20pm	Sunday, July 21, 2019 - 4:35pm
Event	AfricaDance & Drum Conference	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:55pm	Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 4:55pm