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 Titlesort ascending Post date Updated/commented date
Video Embed Beginning Argentine Tango Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 11:12am Saturday, May 2, 2015 - 5:30pm
Book page Beatriz Vasquez Friday, January 21, 2011 - 11:58am Thursday, March 11, 2021 - 3:30pm
Video Embed Basic Eight-Count Step Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 2:00pm Saturday, May 2, 2015 - 5:30pm
Link Ballroom Dance (definition) Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 12:47pm Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 12:47pm
Link Ballin' The Jack Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 10:38pm Saturday, April 25, 2015 - 2:10am
Video Embed Baby, Work Out! Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm
Video Embed Baby It's Cold Outside Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:40pm Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:45pm
Book page Atiya El Amin Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 12:39am Tuesday, February 2, 2016 - 4:01pm
Link Arm Tone Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 10:35pm Monday, December 31, 2007 - 6:27pm
Event Archive: The Origins of Black Dance (2014) Monday, April 27, 2015 - 3:33pm Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 2:39pm

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