Notes from 2008 rehearsals for "A Tribute to Dunham".

In the introduction to the Pointsietta Bolero/Rumba Choreography, the question was asked about the techique that should be used for the "cuban motion". I hesitated to answer that for a couple of reasons:

1. "Cuban Motion" as taught in contemporary ballroom looks good, but is an unauthentic version of authentic Cuban and Carribbean movement. I don't think this is what either Chester nor Anindo has in mind for this, or any other Katherine Dunham piece.

   As a Ballroom dancer, I know what a classic Ballroom Bolero is supposed to look like.  This is NOT what we want: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRUNpjmfZhM
    

2. I really haven't studied Katherine Dunham's Rumba or Bolero choreography, so I could not say what her "technique" would be in this case.

  Note the typical contemporary description for Bolero:

History of Bolero

The history of Bolero is a bit of a mystery. Bolero has the same Afro-Cuban roots as the Rumba and is thought to have originated from Cuban or Spanish folk dances such as the Danzon and Beguine. It was introduced in the United States in the 1930’s. Originally a Spanish dance in 3/4 time, it was changed in Cuba initially into 2/4 time then eventually into 4/4. The music is frequently arranged with Spanish vocals and a subtle percussion effect, usually implemented with guitar, conga or bongos.

What this really means is that there is a European and Cuban way of dancing this dance.  Ms. Dunham spent time studying Carribean dances, styles and techniques (Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica), this is really what "Dunham Technique" is all about.  So, to just dance Bolero/Rumba the way they are danced today as Ballroom dances I believe is a disservice to what we are attempting to do with the Dunham Tribute.

Which means I (we) need to see what Ms. Dunham actually did in this style of dancing.

One piece that I was already familiar with is Duke Ellington's "Flamingo", sung by the "Bronze Bukeroo" himself, Herb Jefferies. This number is a more of a Rumba mixed with modern and a dash of ballet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlmMzUMCIIg . I believe the Cuban motion you see here is natural and authentic, and not the very unnatural ballroom technique which is prevlent in this style of dancing today.

There is a link to a number of Katherine Dunham videos in the Library of Congress. A couple of the descriptions for listed videos refer to the following:

Rhumba Jive (2 minutes), title also given as Rumba with a Little Jive Mixed In); Choros #1 (2 minutes); Batacuda (1 minute); Bolero (1 minute);

This is what I need to find, but am currently unable to locate.

Press Release Notes

• A show 10 years in the making.  An event 150 years in the making.

• Returning for 3rd year after sold out performances in 2011 and 2012

• Funded by a successful Kickstarter Campaign.

• During our campaign, we were a Kickstarter Staff Pick as well as Featured Dance Project

• This year we commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Juneteenth Celebration (the longest running celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation and freeing of the slaves in the United States).

• Proceeds from this show will be used to a) fund next year’s performance, b) get youth involved and c) work on touring show.

• This year, no Buck Dance, no Black Bottom.

• This year we include Spirituals, live singing and Tributes to Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr.

• This year we include the Argentine Tango.

• This year we include Kizomba, which is one of the first dances to be popularly danced in the United States which actually comes from Africa (as opposed to being created by the descendants of African slaves).

• This year we include Hip Hop.

• Company consists of:

  • Ron Parker

  • Chester Whitmore

  • Reginald T. Thornton

  • Beatriz Vasquez

  • Rosa Harris

  • Ande Allure

  • Kiana Stringfield

  • Paul Thornhill

  • Linda Simms

  • Karin Santiago

  • Harry Bowens Jr.

  • Brian Yip

  • Sury Misrayim

  • Rosalind Cook

  • Fumi Bankole

PR Questions

Thanks very much for this. I’d like to get some quotes from you and also to try to weave a story around this performance so could you think about these and elaborate? I realize some of these questions overlap, so where it seems redundant no need to answer again.

1.Can you talk from the heart about why you took over this show from Chester who toured it previously.

2.Also, can you talk about your decision to expand the repertoire and why you did it.

3.Talk about the cultural significance of this show and why people should see it. From the performance perspective, and also about Juneteenth.

4.How much of your time do you dedicate to this show and since you are not getting paid for this why do you do it?

5. Anything else significant you think the public should know?

1. In 2005 I had been working with Chester and performing vernacular jazz routines in the group for a couple of years.  We were preparing to do our biggest show titled “The History of Black Dance in America” for the UCLA African-American Music Festival at Schoenberg Hall.  We worked for a couple of months on some 20 or so routines.  I thought then that we really needed to present this show to the general public.  It was filled with so much rich and interesting and generally unknown history, and it was a shame to do all this work for just one presentation to a small audience.

2. The original HBDA show that Chester had toured around the world 20 years earlier, and the one I was a part of in 2005, focused primarily on vernacular jazz dances of the early 20th Century.  It did not include Argentine Tango, the Ballroom dances, the Latin dances, Disco, or Hip Hop.  I recognized that many of these were also vernacular dances, created or inspired by the descendants of African slaves, and were indeed a part of the History of Black Dance in America.  As it happens, I had a degree of experience and expertise in many of these dances that would be useful in incorporating them into the presentation.

3. The Charleston is a dance that had been danced in Black communities for several years before it appeared in a Broadway show titled “Running Wild” in 1923.  I dare you to Google “Charleston dance” and find one period photo of African-Americans dancing the Charleston.  How many people even know that the hit song, “Charleston”, that started the dance craze in America was written by a Black man, James Price Johnson?  This phenomena of a dance or music with Black roots, somehow forbidden or marginalized, suddenly becoming popular in the White mainstream repeats itself in history again and again: Cakewalk, Ragtime, Jazz, Blues, Tango, Black Bottom,  Lindy Hop, R & B, Disco, Soul Train dances, Hip Hop, Kizomba….  The list goes on and on.  It is important that people know and understand their history.  Also, most of these dances are “vernacular” dances, meaning that unlike Ballet or Waltz or African, these dances originate in America by Americans.  Additionally, unlike modern jazz (a performance dance form that also originates in America), these are “social” dances -- that is, dances that were and are popularly danced by everyday Americans.

4. When preparing for a show, I spend most of my time working on it.  I not only have to work on the logistics of putting on the show: theater location, marketing, etc... but also the content of the show: history, choreography, training, etc…  While Chester Whitmore provides tremendous help as artistic director, he’s usually traveling around the world teaching and performing.  So, I am left with the director, producer, choreographer, etc.. tasks here.  It’s a lot of work, but I do it because it is important work.  We are telling dance history that is not told anywhere else.  Vernacular jazz dance, the original American dance form, and it’s history is not performed by major American dance companies, nor is it funded by the major arts funding organizations.  If we don’t do it, no one else will.  It is our hope that somewhere in this journey, a young Chester Whitmore will be inspired to pick up the mantle and keep this history alive for future generations.

5. This year, we are performing HBDA in commemoration of  the 150th anniversary of the Juneteenth Celebration.  In my mind, there is no more important Black “holiday” because without the Emancipation Proclamation, and for that matter, the Civil War itself, American Black History looks nothing like it does today.  No King Day, no Black History Month, no BET Awards….  And with that, perhaps no Cakewalk, Charleston, Black Bottom, Lindy, etc...  I like the fact that, in addition to educating the public about Black dance history, I am also making everyone more aware of a celebration that is perhaps our most culturally significant in this country after Independence Day.

Ande Allure, originally from Nigeria, grew up in Europe and emigrated to the U.S. 18 years ago. She has trained in many forms of dance, African, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Salsa, Hustle, Cha-Cha, Bachata, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Kizomba, Zouk, Semba and others. Ande has performed and competed at various levels both nationally and internationally, in the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, Europe and Africa.  Over the years, she has won multiple bronze, silver and gold awards at the International Hustle and Salsa Congress in Orlando, Puerto Rico and local competitions throughout Palm Springs and Los Angeles. Ande has performed and continues to perform regularly, with world champions such as Raul Santiago, Liz Lira, Abel Pena and on elite professional dance teams. She coaches and choreographs for her own exclusive ladies dance team in Los Angeles as well as manages her Health, Beauty and Wellness Medical Spa in Beverly Hills. Ande holds a masters degree in Business Systems Analysis and Design from City University in London.

Atiya is a dancer, choreographer, singer, model and instructor. She graduated from the Mercer County Performing Arts High School and Rider University where she earned a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts, Dance. She holds a Professional Certificate from the American Musical Dramatic Academy (AMDA-LA), in Musical Theater. Atiya is an also a National Certified Aerobic Instructor (AAAI/ISMA) and has been teaching aerobics for the last 8 years. Atiya has studied dance at the Princeton Ballet School with teachers from the American Repertory Ballet Company on a merit dance scholarship, and she completed independent study courses at Temple University in Modern and African dance under the direction of Dr. Kariamu. As an instructor, Atiya taught African and Ballet at the Princeton Ballet School while also assisting to build a non-profit community outreach program called Vessels, Inc. Vessels Inc. is a place where youths from the inner city of Trenton, New Jersey can learn dance and the dramatic arts. Atiya served as the Creative Arts Director of Vessels of Praise where she taught dance technique to children and adults – as well as planned special events and concerts touring Puerto Rico, Japan, and the Bahamas. Vessels Inc. won 3rd prize for the (“Praise Dance” category at the Mc Donald’s Gospel Competition). Atiya has performed as a liturgical dancer with Gospel Artists: Vicki Winans, Mary Mary, Martha Munizzi, Fred Hammond, and John P. Kee. Atiya teaches Jazz technique at Compton Dance Theater Foundation, as well as Cardio Dance at Various Gyms in LA. Atiya Recently completed her training at AMDA and received her professional certificate in musical theater. Atiya El-Amin is a talented teacher, dynamite dancer, and a creative choreographer. Currently Atiya has remained in LA and is continuing to teach as well as develop as a dancer, while pursing her career as a singer/songwriter. She is striving to use her many talents to empower others worldwide.

Principal Dancer / Choreographer

Beatriz Eugenia Vasquez was born in Bogota Colombia (South America), she began her dance training in Folkloric dance and Classical Ballet. Upon coming to the United States she continued her Ballet studies in Los Angeles, CA under various renowned teachers, The Joffrey Ballet School in New York and back in Los Angeles at GCC. After auditioning at a city wide casting call in 2002 she was given the opportunity to participate as principal dancer and Choreographer for the 1st City wide production of ‘The Nutcracker in the City” at The Los Angeles Theater Center. She continued her participation in 2003, 2004, and 2005.

Beatriz joined Rune Dance Theatre Modern Dance company in 2009-2010 performing at different events and venues throughout the LA Area. Between 2007-2012 Beatriz choreographed and danced for the The International Cumbia Festival, The Hollywood Fringe Festival, The Mexican Cultural Institute, Encuentro Latino Art Gallery, The Echo Park Art Walk, The LA Day Of The Dead at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Dia De Los Muertos at the El Centro del Pueblo in Echo Park CA, Evening of Contemporary Dance at the Mexican Consulate of LA, Shine ON- Bring it ON by Grammy nominated artist Arnold G, “Variations on Sonakinetography” by Channa Horwitz Pacific Standard Time Festival, Teatro Akabal’s Sentado En Un Arbol Caido.

In 2011 after seeing how well her choreographic pieces were received Beatriz founded her own dance company 3-19 Dance Art, It is here that her love for dance, movement, visual art and music all come together to create a sensory experience. “3-19 Dance Art” has appeared at Silent Cinema Hill Tribute to Aline Barnsdall, The LA Day Of The Dead 2011, Mi Alma Garden's Day of the Dead 2011, Encuentro Latino Equinoccio 2012, Encuentro Latino Equinoxx 2012, SIPA (Kita Tayo Sa SIPA) 2012, Echo Park Art Walk 2012, La Paloma Market Place 2012 and 2013, The Mix and Match Dance Festival at the Myles Memorial Play House, UCLA Viva 2013, Encuentro Latino’s Folklorisimo Celebration 2013, Dia De Los Muertos at Highways Performance Space, USC School of Genetic Science, National Water Dance Day 2014 for Grand Performances at California Plaza, The Tuesday Night Project in Downtown LA, recently 3-19 appeared with the Watts Village Theater Company, performing at the Watts Towers and The Leimert Park Theater Festival.

Summer 2013 Beatriz was Principal Dancer and one of 3 choreographers for BFA’s (Bilingual Foundation of The Arts) production of “Lorca, Child of the Moon” part of Grand Performances Summer Series at the California Plaza.

This past January 2014 Beatriz was Mercy the cat in CASA 0101 Theatre’s production of “ A Cat Named Mercy” written by Josefina Lopez and directed by Hector Rodriguez, in June 2014 Beatriz choreographed for “Under My Skin” Directed by Emanuel Loarca a production by Teatro Akabal at the Lee Strasberg Institute, (Marilyn Monroe Theatre), city of West Hollywood part of the One City One Pride Festival 2014, right after July 2014 Beatriz worked as choreographer for the Watts Village Theater company under Lynn Manning and Hector Rodriguez’s direction of Hollywood In The Hood.

This last November Beatriz presented for the 4th year in a row her acclaimed piece “Tango De La Catrina” at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery's LA Day of the Dead, and at Dia De Los Muertos in the City of Bell CA, and on December 2015 “ A Christmas Shop” created and choreographed by her was presented at Festival De La Calle 8, the biggest toy give away in the US, attended by over 25,000 people.

This March 2015 she was invited to present her new piece “Melancholy and Perfection” at Bach In The Subways event at Los Angeles Union Station, making her company the first dance company ever to participate in this world wide festival.

Recently in April Beatriz had the opportunity to choreograph for Macha Theatre Company, and for Akabal Theatre’s return of “Under My Skin” for which her choreography was highly praised by the critics and mentioned in the local newspapers.

In May her choreography “Melancholy and Perfection” was chosen among many submissions to be part of the Latino Works Festival at Highways Performance Space.

Besides directing and dancing for 3-19 Dance Art, Beatriz has worked, danced, choreographed and worked in the music videos for vocal recording artists Arnold G, Leopold Nunan, Archer Black, and JD Mata.

Beatriz has been a Ballet and Yoga instructor for children, adults and Seniors at public and private schools in the LA area for over 10 years.

Knowing that her early dance education helped her cope with the challenges of being a child immigrant, Beatriz made the conscious decision to teach and give back to those around her by bringing the arts into their lives.

For more info about her and her work you can go to www.beatrizeugenia3-19danceart.com or visit her facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/pages/3-19-Dance-Art/369011849830214

“I chose numbers to define my work as my work has no ethnicity, I swim in the waters of each culture as if it was my own. We live in a global world and I choose to be inclusive of everyone and everything as opposed to delineate boundaries.”

Beatriz Eugenia Vasquez

Beatriz Eugenia Vasquez

Dancer/choreographer

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-igkJR-JMCI

Dancer

Bernadette Sebastian is a versatile dancer that has been dancing for around 8 years. She has backgrounds in Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Ballroom, Salsa, Modern, Hip-Hop, Choreography, Lebanese Dabke, and is currently learning Pointe; other athletic backgrounds include Color Guard and Fencing. She has performed numerous times all throughout her high school years in Azusa, The Rose Parade 2008-10, Candela Salsa Club, and Pasadena City College Dance Concerts. Some of Bernadette's choreographies included "A Grimm Fairy Tale" (2011), "Tortured Soul" (2013), "Forces of Nature" (2014), and "Dance of the Marionettes" (2015). She received Achievement Awards for Choreography, Performance, Dean's Special Recognition Awards Scholarship, and Maria Isabel Fernandez Scholarship. In the past year, she has also performed for the Limon Dance Workshop, Speak Hill Dance Company under Marlita Hill, LA Nutcracker Unbound, ACDA Long Beach Dance Convention, Young Frankenstein Musical, The Great Gatsby Production, The Magic Flute Opera Production, Nigel Lythgoe Gala Flash Mob Honorary, and Chess the Musical in Long Beach. She received her Associates of Arts in German, Humanities, and Social Science, and currently hopes to do an internship in Germany this Summer 2016. She currently dances with Pasadena City College, Vista Dance Company, Samo's Dabke Folkoric Group, Krounk Armenian Dance Company, and Central Avenue Dance Ensemble.

Dancer

Dancer

Chelsea's dance specialties are in ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip hop with a strong love for ballet. However, her passion for dance has led her to endeavor a variety of dance forms and her style is quite adaptable and versatile. She has danced on professional dance teams, but her favorite performance choice is in a theater setting. She has also been teaching ballet, jazz, and hip hop to elementary school kids for four years. Chelsea continues her education as a dance major and to pursue professional projects.  

Artistic Director / Choreographer / Principal Dancer

Dancing since 1974, Chester Whitmore originally studied to be a cinematographer. An encounter with famed tap dancer Fayard Nicholas changed his life. Eventually, Mr. Nicholas became his teacher and mentor.

Mr. Whitmore has been jumping ever since. Lately, he has been traveling around the world on tour as dancer, teacher, choreographer, director and entertainer. He and his dance company, Black Ballet Jazz, have performed with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington, the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Frank Foster, Joe Williams and the great Miles Davis.

The summer of 1999 sent him touring through Canada and Europe with the Smithsonian Masterworks Jazz Orchestra in a tribute to Duke Ellington.

Chester Whitmore's choreography can be seen in music videos by Weird Al Yankovic, Tina Marie, Boys 2 Men, Sugar Ray, and most recently in the hit movie musical "La La Land".

The NAACP Image Awards (1989-1994), Soul of American Music, and Stellar Awards (Gospel Music Awards) show Mr. Whitmore’s versatility in choreographing for diverse groups, such as the Nicholas Brothers with Savion Glover, M.C. Hammer, Lavert, Bebe and Cece Winans, Vickie Winans and dance tributes to Dick Clark and The Artist (formerly known as Prince).

Mr. Whitmore is actively involved in projects teaching young people on the history of Vernacular Jazz Dance and Central Avenue through Los Angeles Cultural Affairs events as performer or as teacher for the Parks and Recreation Division, African Marketplace, and in schools and universities throughout the U.S.

Teaching/lecture assignments include Herrang Dance Camp(Sweden), Los Angeles City College, UCLA (Ballroom Dance Club), The California African-American Museum, and dance performances, Salzburg (Austria), the San Francisco Jazz Festival (1997), the Monterey Jazz Festival (1996), The Henry Ford Theater ("Lord of the Swing") and Los Angeles Union Station.

Chester Whitmore has taught almost everyone who has made a name in the swing scene.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK8SDJpJQu8

In 2010, Daigo came to the U.S as an international student and started to tap dance with Chester A. Whitmore at Los Angeles City College.  Since 2012, he has studied with Hiroshi Hamanishi at the Colburn School of Performing Arts.  Daigo performed with Hiroshi Hamanishi, Chester A. Whitmore, Jason Rodgers, Gabe and Mindy Copeland at San Pedro Festival of the Arts.  He also performed for Night of Resident Artists and Dance concerts at El Camino College, Cornerstone Gospel Choir concert directed by Ray Sidney.  He holds a BS in Management from California State University, Long Beach.  Daigo is so excited to join Central Avenue Dance Ensemble and experiencing tap dance roots and American Vernacular dance.

Author J.O. Bankole, writer of the new novel God’s Blood has a secret life of dance. Now 49 and primarily a salsera and social dancer, “Fumi” has been making her way around the globe and across history through dance since her teens when she began training in modern, jazz and ballet at Lula Washington’s summer dance camp for youth. Highlights from Ms. Bankole’s career include The Four Aces episode of That’s So Raven, a Fox Network Sports Super Bowl cameo in a television commercial, Janet Jackson, Got 'Til It's Gone music video;

Fumi has performed Black vernacular dances like the lindy hop at such venues as the John Anson Ford Theater with master teacher choreographer Chester Whitmore (and The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble). For several years she performed Cuban rueda de casino with Afri-K-Sineras directed by Patricia Martinez. Fumi has performed Senegalese and Guinea style traditional dances, extensively, with Le Ballet de Kouman Kele´ under the artistic direction of Nzingha Camara and with Ceedo, a traditional dance company based in the Bay Area under the direction of Alison Kane and Abdulai Djakite, as well as with Abalaye African Dance Ensemble here in the South Land. She has also performed extensively in multiple styles as a freelance artist.

To keep up with J.O. Bankole’s works and thought, please follow her blog at www.brownfuture.com.

Photo By Joanna Siegman Photography

Jade Opal Jerry is a current dance major at El Camino College. She plans to continue her studies in dance composition at a university as a transfer student for the upcoming fall semester. During her time at El Camino, she has performed in and choreographed works for the bi-annual Advanced Dance Concerts as well as the American College Dance Association Baja Conferences of 2015 and 2016. She has also been a cast member of the 2015-16 Dancing with the South Bay Stars season and performed at the 2015 Nollywood & African Film Critic's Awards. Currently, she is the manager of and performer for the ECC-based salsa dance team, El Co Salseros.

Karin is a performing artist of traditional & international cultural folk dance. Dance instructor and model. Born in New York City, raised in Los Angeles began her training in New York, then continued her training with master dance teacher, Carmelita Maracci.

Karin has extensive training in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and dances of the Mediteranean. She began performing at age 13 with the San Gabriel Civic Ballet Co. and Joseph Richard Productions and was quickly promoted to soloist and danced in various ballets.

Karin has performed with Kiss­FM radio station (Los Angeles) appearing at promotional events. Performed at special events with Dr Jihad Racey Dean of the ethnomusicology department at UCLA.

Performed at various venues worldwide, in cities such as, Mexico City, Nagoya,Japan, Athens, Greece, Manhatan, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, CA, and London, England.

She has performed for celebrities such as Al Pacino, Omar Sharif, Julia Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, Al Pacino, Mr. & Mrs Casey Casem, Dick Clark, Michele Pfeifer, Mickey Rourke, and, the president of the United States, President Ronald Reagan and the First lady, among other dignitaries.

Karin began teaching in New York, Los Angeles, Japan, and Mexico City. Has coached professional dancers, as well as choreographed for ensemble troupes.

She is living in Los Angeles performing and pursuing a career in dance education. Dance Teaching Certificate from Gcc. Curently performing and Director of Production for Jax Hammer Entertainment.

Dancer

Kiana has always been a lover of dance, music and athletics.  Born and raised in Midland Michigan, at age four she began training as a gymnast and simultaneously studied ballet to improve her flexibility, balance and technique.  Her favorite gymnastic events were vault and floor exercises. As a music composer one of her favorite memories is creating her own floor music because she didn't like any of the available music selections. Throughout her years as a junior athlete she won multiple state, national and world championships in gymnastics, trampoline, tumbling, track and field and Tae Kwon Do. Kiana attended college at the University of Michigan where she studied Industrial and Operations Engineering and competed in the 400 meter hurdles for U of M’s track team. Go Blue!

This year we present Ms. MaDonna Grimes with the Central Avenue Dance Ensemble Arts and Humanitarian Award for her contribution to the history of Hip Hop.

Guest Artist / Choreographer / Dancer

MaDonna Grimes has created a brand that exemplifies living well and looking great by supporting a lifestyle that enhances living and improving the daily lives of everyone she touches.

MaDonna exhibits a contagious energy that continuously keeps her in high demand as she uses her extraordinary abilities to educate, motivate, and inspire everyone who comes in contact with her unique magic; all the while keeping her passionate commitment to living life to its utmost potential. She embodies a personal commitment through her charitable endeavors, her human compassion, and her fervent desire for everyone to live a healthy and soulful life.

Grimes’ history of accomplishments has earned her the world stage. Her talent and credentials are extensive and almost limitless. She is not only a recognizable cover girl for worldwide magazines such as Glamour, Allure, Flex, Shape, “Her” by Muscle & Fitness, and many others, but she has also won honors as Miss Fitness America, Miss Fitness International, and was awarded USA National Aerobics Champion. Due to her drive and talent in the arts and entertainment industry, she has hosted on ESPN, BET’s Screen Scene, and Nubian Goddess, in addition to a wide list of international engagements. And in 2008, MaDonna proudly received the NAACP Best Choreographer for Theater Award.

As an established author of “Work It Out”, a library of 22 bestselling dance and fitness videos on the market, MaDonna toured globally with her World Dance Competition while concurrently starring on two health and fitness shows for Fit TV and the Discovery Health Channel. With so many accomplishments already achieved, the non-stop MaDonna continues to work with passion and spirit, constantly looking forward to new endeavors.

Undoubtedly recognized as the “Queen of Fitness, Dance, and Hip Hop”, MaDonna Grimes has instructed, choreographed, performed, and appeared over 30 countries. She has lifted our spirits, freed our minds, moved our bodies, and fueled our souls with her positive attitude, incredible energy, and sparkle for life. Her soulful approach to keep our body and mind active along with her hands-on approach to enhance healthy lifestyles is the motivation behind this incredible woman.

And this is just the first chapter of the incredible story she continues to write.

Please donate and join MaDonna's battle.

http://www.gofundme.com/MaDonnafightingcancer

Nupeir is honored to be apart of this awesome production. He graduated California State University, Sacramento in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in theater and a dance minor. He moved to Los Angeles in 2013 to pursue his passion with dancing and acting. Nupeir is also happy to learn new dancing styles such as Lindy Hop and Zulu

Central Avenue Dance Ensemble Prinicpals

• Chester Whitmore (Founder / Artistic Director / Choreographer / Dancer)
• Ron Parker (Director / Choreographer / Dancer)
• Rosa Harris (Assistant Director / Choreographer / Dancer)
• Beatriz Vasquez (Choreographer / Dancer)
• Reginald Thornton (Choreographer / Dancer)

Instructor / Dancer

Reginald T. Thornton – A singer, dancer and actor, Reggie is a native of Gary, Indiana. He has appeared in numerous television shows, such as Soul Train, Solid Gold, American Bandstand, The Wayne Brady Show, and General Hospital, and has danced throughout Europe with the Black Ballet Jazz Dance Company of Los Angeles. A graduate of Ball State University, Reggie is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He enjoys running with the NikeTown Running Club, and has completed eleven marathons and a number of 10K races.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMFDxJ6oB70

Director / Choreographer / Principal Dancer

Ron Parker is the director of the Central Avenue Dance Ensemble.  A native Californian, born and raised in Los Angeles, he is a graduate of U.C.L.A. with a degree in French and Linguistics. Ron is a nationally recognized dance instructor, dance historian, Jazz, Ballroom and Tap dancer. He has written and produced several YouTube documentaries on Black Dance History.  He is the co-founder of the R & B Salsa Network, which taught and promoted the dance in the Black community for several years.  As past Vice-President of the Los Angeles Chapter of USA Dance, he was actively involved in promoting Ballroom dancing in Southern California for the several years.  His hobbies include skiing, hiking, rock climbing, and dancing and performing a variety of Ballroom and social dances (including Ballet, Belly Dance, Argentine Tango, Salsa, Hustle, West Coast Swing, Lindy and Tap). He is a founding member of the Central Avenue Dance Ensemble and his dance experience includes performances in the musicals “At the Lincoln Theatre”, “De Obeah Mon” and "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?", the T.V. shows “That’s So Raven” and “Tom Joyner Show”, and the movies “Lackawanna Blues” and “Their Eyes Were Watching God”.  He has also served as a choreographer and principal dancer with the Beverly Hills Cotillion Dance Ensemble.  In 2011, Ron wrote, produced, directed and co-choreographed the highly acclaimed "History of Black Dance in America" multi-media show which presents the story of the African-American contribution to American popular social dance.   It premiered to a sold-out crowd in 2011, and closed to sold-out crowds in 2012.  2014 was a busy year for Ron: He served as assistant director to Chester Whitmore for the Frankie Manning Centennial Show at the Apollo Theater in New York, hailed as one of the best shows at the Apollo in 25 years. He directed "The Origins of Black Dance" at the Barnsdale Gallery Theater in Los Angeles.  And, he initiated and ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the successful HBDA Juneteenth 2015 Celebration at Cal State Dominguez Hills University.  As a result of this successful campaign, he was nominated, along with Chester Whitmore, as a "Local Hero" by our local PBS station. Recently Ron was tapped by the El Camino College Center for the Performing Arts in Torrance, CA to present HBDA for Black History Month 2016.  And, a photo retrospective of the 2015 HBDA show premiered at the Gallery Exposure art gallery, also in Torrance, on February 6, 2016: http://www.centralavedance.com/hbda_exhibit_2016.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADfeoLAJinc

Assistant Director / Choreographer / Dancer

Rosa Harris was raised in Detroit, Michigan where she met and married her best friend Herbert. They have one daughter Ashlee. At an early age Rosa started dancing with a local drill team that performed statewide. During her teenage years she worked, trained and performed with the Festival of Performing Arts, a summer program created to introduce inner city youth to the arts. Through that program Rosa discovered her passion as an actress/dancer.

Rosa followed her zest for dance after obtaining her B.A in Interdisciplinary Studies from California State University Dominguez Hills. She landed roles as a principal dancer in an Ameriprise TV commercial and as a member of the WNBA L.A. Sparks Ole Skool Crew - bring her back to what she loves.

Rosa recently served as Assistant Producer on the 2016 History of Black Dance in America shows and is currently a member of the San Franciso Golden State Warriors Senior Dance Team.

Rosa feels that dancing will keep you young at heart, no matter your age. She hopes to compete someday on Dancing with the Stars. Hey- all things are possible if you open your heart and allow your feet to lead you into your destiny!

Rosalind Cook is a native of California, born and raised in Los Angeles. B.A. in Business Management, California State University of Los Angeles, A.S. degree in Computer Science, Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Holds two Clear Designated Subject Teaching Credentials. Employed by Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as a Credential and Contract Specialist for over 20 years. Teaches Line Dance for LAUSD and Lawndale Community Center. Hobbies include: skating, bowling, relaxing and dancing. I performed at various functions as a dancer and actress.

Born in Tecoman Colima Mexico Salvador Graduated from the I.U.B.A. (Instituto Universitario de Bellas Artes) in Dance obtaining an A.A and a BFA in Dance under the recognized professor and director Rafael Zamarripa. He has danced with various Dance companies such as Contratiempo Dance Group(Colima), Ensamble Dance Company (Colima), STEICH Dance (Guanajuato), RE-incorporate under the direction of Carlos Gonzalez. Salvador has trained in Limon technique, Musical theatre, Tango, Ballroom to name a few. Salvador has danced with Rune Dance Theatre in productions such as Lux Aeterna and Falling up-Twittering down, Recording Artist Arnold G, and is a member- codirector of Brazeros Contemporary Dance, Brazeros has performed at the LA Day of the Dead at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Dia de los Muertos at the El Centro Del Pueblo in Echo Park CA, and an Evening of Contemporary Dance at the Mexican Consulate of LA.

 Born  in  New  York,  NY  to  Mambo-dancing  parents  Sury  has  always  had  a  passion  for  dancing. She  started  dancing  mambo  at  a  young  age  but   found  her  true  calling  in  Dancesport. Although  primarily  trained  in  International  Latin, Standard  and  Smooth,  she  has  experience  in  several  other  dances  including salsa, hustle, bachata,  merengue  and  west  coast  swing.  As  an  amateur  competitor  she  has  been  the  winner  of  several  Latin  Championships.  She  has  become  well  known on  the  dance  floor  for  her  technical  precision  and  unique,  charismatic  style.

Tambre Leighn's passion for dance began at the early age of five when she first took up ballet.  One year later, at the direction of her teacher, she took to the ice to build up her leg strength and never looked back.  Tambre spent the next decade training on ice, particularly accelerating in ice dancing and mastered Foxtrot, Swing, Argentine Tango, Paso Doble, Rhumba, Viennese Waltz, American Waltz and more.  At the age of eighteen, she was hired on the spot at an audition for Ice Follies/Holiday On Ice and was awarded a year long contract.  After a year on tour, she returned to school and was accepted into York University's renowned dance program in Toronto, Ontario.  A knee injury ended her dance studies and Tambre went on to become a film major, ultimately receiving a Master of Communication Arts. 

During the course of her eduction, she produced two short films involving dance and figure skating and won the prestigious Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Telefest Award for Best Experimental Video.  After losing her husband to cancer, Tambre took up salsa dancing, her first partner dance off-ice, as part of her healing process.  Tambre went on to learn other dances including Mambo, Hustle, Cha Cha, West Coast Swing and more.  Less than a year ago, she had the honor of becoming Ron Parker's performance partner in Argentine Tango.  A published author and certified professional coach, Tambre notes, "I write to remember and I dance to forget."  She is grateful for the many gifts and lessons being a dancer has generated but even more so the opportunity to live her passion both on and off the dance floor daily.

Ron Parker brings the history of The History of Black Dance in America. Hosted by Lafern Cusack.

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/losangeles/play?id=7565292

Ron Parker was interviewed on KPFK's "Freedom Now" radio program on 02-05-2011.  Attached is an mp3 file of that interview.

Chester Whitmore and Ron Parker interviewed about "The History of Black Dance in America" 2015 program on Backbeat Radio Program with Jay Cruz on HealthyLife.net.

02-20-2015 Interview

Interview Archive: 

http://www.healthylife.net/RadioShow/archiveJBB.htm

Ron Parker was interviewed on 100.3 The Sound - KSWD FM radio www.theSoundLA.com. The conversation focused on "The History of Black Dance" performance this Saturday.  It aired Sunday February 6, 2011.  The interview is attached.

Central Avenue Dance Ensemble
By Jessica Koslow, Posted February 28, 2012

Inglewood Cable Television interview on "Urban Roundtable" with Ron Parker and Chester Whitmore.  Hosted by Robert Hooks.  Taped Feburary 5, 2011 at Crozier Middle School auditorium.

Arts Meme

Central Avenue Dancers Jive Once More

by Debra Levine

http://artsmeme.com/2015/06/15/central-avenue-dancers-jiving-once-more/

Dateline Dominguez

California State University Dominguez Hills

June 1, 2015

http://www.csudhnews.com/2015/06/history-black-dance-america/

Mar Yvette's Weekend Roundup: 2/25 - 2/26

Good Day L.A. video report

​Our short (1 minute) segment on Good Day LA in promotion of "The History of Black Dance in America" 2012 show in Santa Monica, CA. February 23, 2012. Dancers are: Salvador Corona, Atiya El Amin, Adunni McPherson, Ron Parker, Chester Whitmore, Erica Zuniga. — with Beatriz Eugenia Vasquez, Chester A. Whitmore, Ron Parker and Atiya El-Amin at FOX Good Day LA.

This is the report on "The History of Black Dance in America" from Los Angeles KNBC Channel 4 news on Saturday night, February 12, 2011.

This is the report on "The History of Black Dance in America" from Los Angeles KTLA Channel 5 news on Saturday night, February 12, 2011.

Los Angeles Times

Calendar Section

Weekend Picks

June 18, 2015

The History Of Black Dance In America At Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club

posted Feb. 22, 2012, 9:06:00 am

Mirror Staff

The History of Black Dance in America to be performed at Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club

The Lanier Report

June 1, 2015

http://www.centralavedance.com/sites/centralavedance.com/files/The%20Lan...

Photo montage of "The History of Black Dance in America" 2012 performances in Santa Monica, CA.

The History of Black Dance in America 2014 Kickstarter Campaign video.  Here Chester and Ron talk about what it took to put this show together, and why it is worthy of support.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I8cFKCQyr0

Video compilation of past "Leap Frog" performances.  Created for the "History of Black Dance in America" promotional video.

While the "Leap Frog" music is from Les Brown in the 1950s, the dance choreography is Lindy Hop.

"History of Black Dance in America" production. The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble. Coming Black History Month 2012.

http://www.HistoryOfBlackDance.org

Dropbox: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/45216208/HBDADemoReel05_Prologue_Long.mpg

"History of Black Dance in America" production. The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble. Coming Black History Month 2012.

http://www.HistoryOfBlackDance.org

A promotional video for the Historyof Black Dance in America production.  Approximately 20 minutes.

"The History of Black Dance in America" Promo Reel 04.  Chester narrates introduction.  Approximately 10 minutes.

Click here for more about this project.

Compilation of performances of the "Unbelievable" Waltz routine.  This video was created for the "History of Black Dance in America" promotional video.