HISTORY OF CHA CHA CHA

The Cha cha is an offspring of the mambo.  Dance bands in the late 40’s and early 50’s tried to combine the American jazz beat with a Cuban rumba rhythm, forming a new rhythm called the mambo.  In the slower mambo tempos, a step called the ‘chatch’  or ‘triple mambo’ was developed to fit the distinct sound of the slower tempo.  In the early 50’s, this figure developed into a new dance, called the cha-cha.

CHA CHA CHA DANCE STEPS

The cha-cha is a fun, fast-paced latin dance with an infectious rhythm.  It consists of three quick steps (a triple step) with two slow steps.  Slow-slow (1,2) quick-quick-quick (3 & 4).  It is chock full of of fast hip action and quick spins and turns that make for a fun filled time on the dance floor.

WHAT LEARNING CHA CHA WILL DO FOR MY DANCING

The fast paced tempo of cha cha will help a dancer learn stacatto footwork as well as keeping weight off their heels.  They will learn the importance of combinations as well as being able to adapt moves from other dances to fit the cha cha rhythm.

CHA CHA CHA MUSIC

Cha cha music is written in 4/4 time, with an underlying rhythm of ‘1,2,3,4 &’ repeated over and over.  It covers a wide range of tempos and different styles of music.

EXAMPLES OF CHA CHA CHA MUSIC

Let’s get loud- Jennifer Lopez
Oye como va- Tito Puente
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom- White Perez
Black Magic Woman- Santana
Dance with Me- Develah Morgan

WHERE I WOULD USE IT?

Cha cha is found in a variety of dance enviornments-  Latin clubs, weddings, country clubs. It’s invigorating rhythm is contagious and will draw the most timid of dancers to the floor.