Programs and services of Los Angeles Swing Dance Posse Foundation (Posse) consist of performances, classes and workshops. Posse’s artistic director, Chester A. Whitmore, teaches the original swing dance moves and their roots in African-American jazz music and dance culture. Mr. Whitmore was a student of and collaborator with various swing dance originators, many of whom are not acknowledged today.

Note that “vernacular jazz dance” is a technical term used to describe dancing to jazz music (originating in African-American communities) where people learned socially from each other. As jazz music evolved, the dancing also changed, from Charleston (ragtime) to Lindy Hop (swing big bands). “Swing dance” is the colloquial umbrella term that describes different dancing to jazz music such as Charleston, Shag, Lindy Hop, etc. In this grant application “swing dance” and “vernacular jazz dance” are used interchangeably.

Since 2018, Posse shares the history and joy of swing dance by performing in over 75 events at a variety of sites, adapting performances to each setting and audience – whether the location is a senior citizen center, an elementary school, an open air market or a historical site such as Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.

Posse has offered swing dance classes in Leimert Park and Crenshaw district, locations in the two lowest quartiles of California Healthy Places Index. We offer classes in Mid-City Los Angeles. Posse plans to expand our classes / workshops to systemically underserved communities in Watts and Pasadena where we hope to subsidize participants. Today, many African-Americans do not know that many jazz dance steps originated in Africa and Lindy Hop was created in Harlem. Our vision includes developing a youth dance program; dance improves academic performance, self-esteem and social skills.

As we expand we hope to spread appreciation and enthusiasm for swing dance to a wider audience.