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 datesort ascending Updated/commented date
Image SwingArizonaTrip 00056 Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm
Image SwingArizonaTrip 00055 Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm
Image SwingArizonaTrip 00054 Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm
Image SwingArizonaTrip 00053 Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm
Image SwingArizonaTrip 00052 Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm
Image CentralAveSign Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm
Image _MG_2586 Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:20pm Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:20pm
Image Mike does his Swamy Thing (with Chester) Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:20pm Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:23pm
Image Mike still doing his Swamy Thing (with Chester) Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:20pm Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:25pm
Image Okay, enough already with the Swamy thing! Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:20pm Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:28pm

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