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:
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Norma Miller's Trickeration
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 10:51am
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - 7:40pm
Event
Norma Miller Honored at 30th Annual IABD Conference
Monday, November 27, 2017 - 12:07pm
Monday, February 26, 2018 - 11:49am
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Chester Whitmore and CentralAveDance at 4th Annual Los Angeles/Leimert Park Theater Festival
Friday, August 11, 2017 - 7:38pm
Saturday, August 19, 2017 - 12:17pm
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CHESTER WHITMORE'S TAP & JAZZ REVUE at Union Station Los Angeles
Monday, July 3, 2017 - 5:50pm
Friday, July 14, 2017 - 10:25am
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Tribute to Michael Jackson
Saturday, May 13, 2017 - 10:43pm
Sunday, May 14, 2017 - 10:43pm
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Tribute to Sam Cooke
Saturday, May 13, 2017 - 10:40pm
Monday, May 22, 2017 - 11:22pm
Book page
Five Star Center / Epworth Methodist Church Research
Thursday, January 5, 2017 - 12:25am
Friday, January 6, 2017 - 1:18am
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Killing Myself
Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - 10:48pm
Thursday, January 11, 2018 - 12:56am
Event
Birth of Swing
Saturday, September 10, 2016 - 6:41pm
Saturday, September 10, 2016 - 6:41pm
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Lord of the Swing - Ford Theater
Saturday, September 10, 2016 - 6:32pm
Thursday, December 27, 2018 - 6:35pm
Pages
Central Avenue Dance Ensemble
“One of the benefits of knowledge is that it is portable: Anything you learn you take with you wherever you go for the rest of your life.”
-Paul Thornhill
Chester Whitmore’s Message
“My approach to dance is life itself, places people and things that have happened in our lifetime and creating dance forms for the audience about feelings, emotions in life 
that they may have overlooked. In addition, I want my dances to purely entertain as well as educate. At this stage in my career, I still have much to contribute to the world of dance as a performer, instructor, choreographer and educator. While I possess many years of experience in all of these areas, and as a music historian, musician and composer, I endeavor endlessly to further develop my skills and share them with others.”
