Central Ave Dance Ensemble

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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
Event	Tap Basics \| Chester's 8 wk SERIES!	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm
Event	Tap Basics \| Chester's 8 wk SERIES!	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:09pm	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:09pm
Event	Tap Basics \| Chester's 8 wk SERIES!	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:08pm	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:08pm
Event	Tap Basics \| Chester's 8 wk SERIES!	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:06pm
Event	Tap Basics \| Chester's 8 wk SERIES!	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:05pm	Monday, March 8, 2021 - 1:05pm
Event	The Best of The History of Black Dance in America	Monday, February 8, 2021 - 8:05pm	Wednesday, March 3, 2021 - 11:01am
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	The Central Ave Cotillion Dance Ensemble	Sunday, December 6, 2009 - 3:31pm	Saturday, May 2, 2015 - 5:30pm
Image	The Ensemble Waltzes at Toys for Tots	Wednesday, June 9, 2010 - 12:26pm	Saturday, May 2, 2015 - 5:30pm
Link	The Great Black Way: L.A.'s Central Avenue in the 1940s and the Lost African-American Renaissance	Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 2:08pm	Monday, December 31, 2007 - 5:38pm

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