CHA CHA CHA

 

 

The cha-cha-cha (in Spanish chachachá) is a Latin American dance. In ballroom dancing, it is increasingly popular to call the dance cha-cha or chacha. The cha-cha-cha music is in 4/4 meter.       

The dance teacher Pierre Lavelle from the United Kingdom, a founder of the Latin American Faculty of the ISTD, visited Cuba in 1952 to discover mambo (some say, rumba) danced with the triple step in place of the slow one. He brought this dance idea to Europe and eventually created what is known now as ballroom Cha-cha-cha.

There are two flavours of Cha-cha-cha dance, differing by the place of the chachacha chasse with respect to the musical bar.

·   Ballroom Cha-cha and street Cha-cha-cha in Cuba count "two-three-chachacha"

·   Country/western Cha-cha-cha and Latin street Cha-cha-cha in many places other than Cuba count "one-two-chachacha" or "chachacha-three-four".

Cha Cha is either danced to authentic Latin music, or more contemporary Latin Pop or Latin Rock. The music for the ballroom Cha-cha-cha is energetic and with a steady beat. The "Latin" cha-cha-cha is slower, more sensual and may involve complicated rhythms. "Cowboy" Cha-Cha-Cha is danced basically to any "four to the floor" music; in addition there are a number of C/W novelty dances with the names that include "cha-cha-cha".

Footwork: Steps in all directions should be taken first with the ball of the foot in contact with the floor, and then with the heel lowering when the weight is fully transferred. When weight is released from a foot, the heel should release first, allowing the toe to maintain contact with the floor.

Hip movement: In American Rhythm style, Latin Hip movement is achieved through the alternate bending and straightening action of the knees. In International Latin style, the weighted leg should be straight. The free leg will bend, allowing the hips to naturally settle into the direction of the weighted leg. As a step is taken, a free leg will straighten the instant before it receives weight. It should then remain straight until it is completely free of weight again.

Recommended Cha Cha Tunes:

"Latin Lover" - Lemon

"Echa Palante" - Thalia

"Todo Todo Todo" - Danela Romo

"Dance With Me" - Debelah Morgan

"Sway" - Michael Buble or Pussy Cat Dolls version

"El Diablo Anda Suelto" - Rey Ruiz

"I Need to Know" - Mark Anthony

"Oye Como Va" - Carlos Santana

"I Like It Like That" - Tito Puente

"Dancing in September" - Earth Wind and Fire

"Stay" - Cindi Lauper

"Ay Mi Morena" - Mo' Horizons

"Perhaps" (Quizas, Quizas, Quizas) - Sunray featuring Kym Mazelle

"Manzanillo" - Rondo Brothers Mix

Bronze Level Syllabus	Silver Level Syllabus	Gold Level  Syllabus
1) Guapacha Timing 2) Chassés 3) Closed Basic 4) New York 5) Spot Turns 6) Switch Turns 7) Underarm Turn 8) Underarm Turn Lady dancing Switch Turn 9) Shoulder To Shoulder 10) Hand to Hand 11) Three Cha Cha Chas 12) Side Steps 13) There and Back 14) Time Step	15) The Fan 16) Alemana 17) Hockey Stick 18) Natural Top 19) Natural Opening Out 20) Closed Hip Twist 21) Open Hip Twist 22) Reverse Top 23) Opening Out from Reverse Top 24) Aida 25) Spiral 26) The Curl 27) Rope Spin 28) Cross Basic 29) Cuban Break and Split Cuban Break	30) The Chase 31) Advanced Hip Twist 32) Hip Twist Spiral 33) Turkish Towel 34) Sweet Heart 35) Follow My Leader