Cha-cha-cha (dance)
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The cha-cha-cha (in Spanish chachachα) 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.
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History
See Cha-cha-cha article for the history of the music.
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.
Description
There are two flavors 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.
International Latin style Cha Cha syllabus
Beginners
- Basic Movements (Closed, Open and In Place)
- New York (Left and Right Side)
- Spot Turns to Left or Right (Including Switch and Underarm Turns)
- Shoulder to Shoulder Left Side & Right side
- Hand to Hand (Right and Left side position)
Pre-Bronze
- Three Cha Cha Chas (forward and back)
- Side Steps (to Left and Right)
- There and Back
- Time Steps
Bronze
- Fan
- Alemana
- Hockey Stick
- Natural Top
- Natural Opening Out Movement
- Closed Hip Twist
Silver
- Fan (Development)
- Open Hip Twist
- Reverse Top
- Opening Out from Reverse Top
- Aida
- Spiral Turns (Spiral, Curl and Rope Spinning
- Cross Basic
- Cuban Breaks (including Split CubanBreaks)
- Chase
Gold
- Alemana Right to Advanced Hip Twist
- Advanced Hip Twist
- Hip Twist Spiral
- Turkish Towel
- Sweetheart
- Follow My Leader
- Foot Changes
Categories: Latin dances | Ballroom dance