The Cha Cha

Dance Summary Type: Latin American Rhythm Character: Sharp and smooth, stocatto Music: Traditional & pop Latin (syncopated, 4/4) In Short: Cha Cha is an intensely emotive dance, excellent for fitness and of established popularity
Beginner's Rating Simple: Instructional: Creative: Slow-Paced: Practical: Overall Score:
Notes on Frame Maintain a concentrated round frame, keeping elbows up and level from one side to the next and maintaining a forward posture towards your partner. Keep shoulders slightly forward of the torso, and maintain a solid but not rigid connection with your partner. The man's left hand should be at or just above the lady's eye level and his right centered on her shoulder blade. The lady's left hand should oppose the man's right shoulder. Partner's heads should be directed towards one another. Do not arch your back or look at your feet when dancing.
Notes on Footwork All steps should be taken on the inside edge of the balls of the feet in order to facilitate a stop-and-go sort of motion as well as cuban hip motion, no more than shoulder width when stepping to the side and heel to toe when stepping forwards and backwards. Latin dances employ sudden quicks and lingering slows to produce stocatto movement around the floor. Feet should always be in contact with the floor.
Notes on Movement Generally Latin dances such at this will be contained and circular, aside from a few patterns which allow for more travel. Higher level dancers will travel more than beginning dancers. There are no rules for travel in this dance. Simply be considerate of others on the floor, being careful to allow adequate space for any patterns performed.

History of the Cha Cha

The Cha Cha originated in Haiti from another well-known dance called the Mambo. As a result of the quickened pace of Mambo and many people’s inability to keep up, orchestras began to play the music more slowly, leaving room for the syncopated Cha Cha step, which developed soon after. Cha Cha rhythms were formally introduced to Cuba by an innovative Cuban musician named Enrique Jorrin in 1948 as a synthesis of Danzon and Montuno. In 1952 Pierre Lavelle brought the dance back to Europe and began teaching it as a separate dance. The name itself has many suggested origins, the most likely of which is an onomatopoeic derivation from the sound of the shaking of a guiro gourd, an instrument often employed in traditional Cha Cha arrangements.

The Cha Cha is danced to 4/4 music with a syncopated step between the last beat of one measure and the first beat of the next, allowing for a series of three slow smooth steps followed by a pair of sharp staccato steps. This timing combined with an even upper torso and strong hip movement gives the dance its unique look and feel.

Practice Points

Because of the quick footwork, beginners often let their dance frame go flat when dancing the Cha Cha, resulting in much frustration down the line. Always give priority to keeping a sturdy frame and solid connection while performing the basic with a partner, rather than focusing on the step itself. Master the pattern in individual practice time before dancing it with a partner for best results.

Recommendations

Cha Cha is one of the more difficult dances for beginners to pick up but is well within range for those willing to devote the practice time. It's an especially good training dance to begin targeting lazy feet by forcing them to move quickly on the syncopated portion of the basic and is one of the better dances for exercise purposes. The smooth sharp look of the Cha Cha has made it one of the more popular dances of the day and hence useful in many social situations.

This dance would be well suited for any of the following occasions:

Anniversary Evenings Ballroom Dances Class Reunions Corporate Events Cruises Dance Clubs

Fitness Centers College Formals In-home Parties Marriage Programs Marriage Retreats Outdoor Dances

Regional Vacations Social Dances School Proms School Talent Shows Wedding Receptions Youth Events