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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Dance Downtown (LA) Schedule
Sunday, September 9, 2007 - 5:16pm
Monday, December 31, 2007 - 5:52pm
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Collins Productions
Thursday, September 6, 2007 - 11:36am
Monday, December 31, 2007 - 6:30pm
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Central Avenue (Los Angeles)
Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 2:15pm
Monday, December 31, 2007 - 5:51pm
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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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Vintage Videos
Friday, July 13, 2007 - 12:30pm
Saturday, April 25, 2015 - 11:16pm
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Savoy Ballroom: A place where African Americans Shined
Monday, July 9, 2007 - 12:27pm
Monday, December 31, 2007 - 6:04pm
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Fumi Strums
Tuesday, July 3, 2007 - 12:16am
Monday, December 31, 2007 - 6:15pm
Article
Choreography for 2010 Dance: "God Bless The Child"
Friday, June 15, 2007 - 11:33am
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - 2:14pm
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Software Creations
Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 12:17am
Monday, December 31, 2007 - 6:13pm
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Use It or Lose It: Dancing Makes You Smarter
Tuesday, February 20, 2007 - 3:35pm
Saturday, April 25, 2015 - 2:57am
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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.”
