History of the Cha-Cha Dance

• The Cha-Cha can trace its roots to the Afro-Cuban community in Havana, similar to the rumba.
• The Mambo was created when big bands from the U.S. mainland came to Havana and combined rumba music with American jazz.
• The Cha Cha originated as a variation within the Mambo, featuring three quicker steps followed by two slower steps, with weight changes on each step.
• Cha Cha adopted the Latin dance technique from Mambo, with dancers keeping their feet close to the floor and moving their hips while keeping their upper bodies erect.
• In 1952, English dance teacher Pierre Lavelle introduced his version of the Cha Cha to the British Isles after visiting Cuba.
• American dancer Arthur Murray simplified the dance to a 1-2-3 Cha Cha rhythm to make it easier for his students, giving the Cha Cha a slower, more mechanical feel.
• Theories about the name's origin include the Cuban dance guaracha, the gliding steps of the chasse, and the sound of a Haitian bell.
• The Cha Cha is a playful and flirtatious dance known for its vibrant energy.
• It is traditionally danced to up-beat Latin or Cuban music, but it is now danced to many current styles of music, including Top 40, Pop, and R&B.
• The cha-cha is popular because of its mix of breezy movements and sensuality.

Basic Dance Steps

• Cha-cha music is in 4/4 time.
• Steps are small and compact, with movement mainly in the hips and pelvic areas.
• Think of the dance as sliding steps where weight constantly shifts from one foot to another.
• Legs should remain flexible and supple, bending and straightening as weight shifts.
• The dance starts on the music's second beat.
• The lead begins with the left foot, and the follower begins with the right.
• The Cha-Cha originated in Cuba in the early 1950s and evolved from Danzón and Mambo.
• Late 1940s: Cuban musicians, including Enrique Jorrín, slowed down the Mambo's rhythm to make it more accessible.
• 1953: Enrique Jorrín officially introduced the "Cha-Cha-Cha" as a new dance style, named after the sound of dancers' feet on the floor.
• 1950s-1960s: The dance spread to the United States and gained popularity in ballroom dance competitions.
• Today: Cha-Cha is a staple in ballroom dancing, Latin dance competitions, and social dance events worldwide.
• The dance is characterized by quick steps, hip movements, and a syncopated rhythm, typically performed to Latin music with a "two-three-cha-cha-cha" beat.

Basic Steps

• Basic in place: perform the Cha Cha step in a single position.
• Rock step: the leader steps back with the right foot, shifting weight to the right hip and tapping the left foot and the follower does the opposite.
• Triple step/Triple side step: the leader brings the right foot back next to the left, then lifts and replaces first the left foot then right foot and the follower mirrors this motion.
• New York: a step where the foot is crossed in front of the other while facing to the side with arms extending.
• Reverse of New York: partners alternate from left to right side-by-side, taking a back break instead of a forward break.
• Spot turn: two forward steps and a chasse danced solo, circling either to the left or right, to the count of 2, 3, 4&1.
• Forward and Backward: use an open or closed facing position with forward and backward lock steps.
• Triple Cha Cha Chas: a series of three consecutive forward or backward lock steps.