Learn to Dance: Cha Cha

Picture for Ballroom Dance: Learn to Dance Cha-Cha

The provocative Cha Cha

History of Cha Cha - The Cha-Cha, sometimes identified with the Mambo, is fun, flirtatious and energetic. Older generations enjoy the Cha-Cha because it can be danced using familiar patterns from the popular Rumba and the young enjoy it for its provocative movements on the dance floor allowing for individual display and styling.

Popularized in the 50's, the origin of the Cha-Cha developed through the influence of other dances. Its personality, character, rhythm and charm come from two major dance sources, the Mambo (Cuba) and the Swing (USA).

The Cha-Cha was influenced by foot movements in the Swing and inspired by the rhythm of the Triple Mambo. Cuban dancers would shuffle their feet to the beat of the music and it was discovered that their feet were making a peculiar sound as they grazed the floor on three successive beats: cha-cha-chá, and from this sound, the Cha-Cha was born.

Cha-Cha is either danced to authentic Latin music, or more contemporary Latin Pop. "Latin" Cha-Cha is slower, more "seductive" and may involve complicated rhythms. However today, it is often danced to more energetic rhythms with a sexier, spicy beat. It is this rhythmical beat that allows dancers to inject their own feeling into the Cha-Cha and let yourself go! This feeling has made it a popular dance for all ages from the mid-50's through today.

Music and Tempo - Cha-Cha music is written in 4/4 time and should be played at a tempo of 30-32 measures per minute. The following timing is used: 1 - 2,3,4&1 - 2,3,4&1. (Ofter referred as, "step-step-cha-cha-cha")

Style - The Cha-Cha is a spot dance not moving along the Line of Dance. Steps are usually quite compact, with feet usually no more than 12 inches apart. Latin hip movement is used throughout the dance. Though rhythmic like Rumba, a more staccato hip movement is characteristic of the Cha-Cha. (See Rumba)

Cha Cha Basic - Man's Footwork
Step Rhythm
& Beats
Foot
Movement
Footwork Amt of
Turn
Dance
Position
1 Q-1 LF side B fl Optional-
Up to 1/2 turn to left over steps 1-10
Closed Dance Position throughout
2 Q-2 RF bk B H
3 Q-3 LF fwd B fl
4 Q-4 RF side B fl
5 "and" LF close B fl
6 Q-1 RF side B fl
7 Q-2 LF fwd B fl
8 Q-3 RF bk B H
9 Q-4 LF side B fl
10 "and" RF close B fl
Definitions - Click here
Cha Cha Basic - Woman's Footwork
Step Rhythm
& Beats
Foot
Movement
Footwork Amt of
Turn
Dance
Position
1 Q-1 RF side B fl Optional-
Up to 1/2 turn to left over steps 1-10
Closed Dance Position throughout
2 Q-2 LF fwd B fl
3 Q-3 RF bk B H
4 Q-4 LF side B fl
5 "and" RF close B fl
6 Q-1 LF side B fl
7 Q-2 RF bk B H
8 Q-3 LF fwd B fl
9 Q-4 RF side B fl
10 "and" LF close B fl
Definitions - Click here