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Known as cha-cha-cha, or simply cha-cha
Dance of Cuban origin
Derived from Mambo
Energetic, fast, sharp dance with a steady beat
Music is in 4/4 time, thus providing a rhythm to split the fourth beat
Some count one, two, three, cha-cha-cha, two, three, cha-cha-cha
Others count one, two, three, cha-cha, one, two, three, cha-cha
In the basic pattern, the cha-cha-cha steps are side-together side, while the one to three are forward, back, together (or back, forward, together)
Here’s a chance to learn the basic step
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Styles of differ from place to place
In competitive ballroom, there are American style and International style (which have more similarities than differences)
Introduced to the US in 1954, and it was the dance craze by 1959
Hip action called Cuban motion
Cuban motion is a result of bending and straightening the legs, plus shifting the weight
Enjoy this slow competitive Cha-Cha
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One of the most dominant pop rhythms in the past 50 years
Listen to the music the basic pattern of the feet
Enjoy the group routine to Ola Chica (one of my favorites)
Any dance done well looks good.
I think I learned the cha-cha-cha years ago when I took lessons.
And of course, I couldn’t resist…
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Guapo,
Well said. When people ask me about taking lessons, I ask which would you prefer: knowing many steps but not looking good … or looking good but knowing fewer steps. Meanwhile we have fun with it … and thanks for the video as I love the pics!
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Wow, that guy in the second video can sure move his hips. I’d need to do some major yoga moves before I could even get half that mobile!
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Carrie,
To achieve that, I would need hip reconstruction!
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Hahaha. Thanks for a good laugh to start my morning. 🙂
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🙂 … Later … I’m off to the surgeon.
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To get movement like these youngsters do I would need a new body,,,, great share Frank…
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Bulldog,
Me too!
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I love the cha-cha. I don’t have an opportunity to get out and “perform” too often, but as rhythm and movement, it’s one of my favorites! I love music and dancing, and I’m afraid my favorite partner just doesn’t much–hahaha! It’s become a spectator sport!
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Debra,
Ah ha … it seems that Mr. Debra is the stuck-in-the-tar-pits one when it comes to dance. 😉 But that’s OK.
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Great post Frank! This is a fascinating dance, that’s for sure!
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Java,
I know you’ve often visioned of waltzing around a ballroom, but your Latin side would enjoy this one!
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Haha, yes we Brazilians love our rhythms. Lambada is a sexy dance too and so is Lundu. Lundu is a cool dance, but the girls wear very long skirts and flowers in their hair. I might do a photo shoot of that dance in the near future.
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That a way … a look forward to that post because I don’t know anything about either of those dances!
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Lundu was born in my State of Para in Brazil. There are many variations of the dance in other parts of Brazil, but none as pure as the video I’m sending you. The girl’s skirt, blouse, flowers etc is flawless and that’s what the dancers are suppose to look like. I like this video because the two dancers seem to be enjoying each other, which only makes watching them fun. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10cxbdnqk8I
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Many thanks. One thing for sure, spinning is not my thing, so I couldn’t do it as I would get too dizzy. Then again, motion-sickness meds before trying may help! 😉 Thanks for sharing … and cheers to your home state!
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I remember my mom trying to teach me this. I loved saying cha cha cha. Unfortunately my body didn’t quite get it.
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TBM,
Sounds like you may have something in common with this classic star.
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I really love that dancing – it makes me want to get up and do it! Though I’ve never managed to get cha cha – for some reason. Salsa, yes. It makes it look easy.
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Rose,
If you can get Salsa, go for Cha Cha! 🙂 … Being that you are in the UK, here’s one for you from the infamous Blackpool competition … enjoy!
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😆
I find this dance unnaturally funny!!! Make sense? …kind of cartoonish dance!
Some pretty good dancers there, btw!
🙂
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Marina,
I know what you mean, but I think it is because of the sharp movements of the highly-skilled dancers. However, this could be the perfect video for you.
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Yes, well, that’s more like it!!!!!
😆
Thanks Frank!!!
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I knew you would like that!
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😉
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Cha cha was so popular – and flirty for the 50-60’s. Then there’s fancy performance Cha cha – a whole different game.
Great fun, Frank!
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Mouse,
Great point about performance level vs recreational level … definitely a whole different level!
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This is so nice dear Frank, I love too, and I enjoyed. Have you seen before a cat learning cha cha 🙂 Thank you, love, nia
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Nia,
LOL … the kitty is very agreeable!
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That was fun. Glad you picked the Apolo clip as he was one of my faves when I was watching DWTS. 🙂 (I’m also glad I can watch the videos now. Yay!)
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Robin,
Glad I picked one of your favorites … and I meant this post to be fun! (well, an informative).
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Love this dance! It is such fun to do.
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Colline,
As one who dances, glad you saw this one. 🙂
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Watching those videos certainly made me want to join in the dancing 🙂
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The Cha-Cha may be the way the world all comes together.
When we first moved to Switzerland we stayed in an apartment/hotel. There were people from many different nations taking there. There were kids from 4 continents: North, South America, Europe and Asia. There was a particularly large group of people from middle eastern countries. No common language existed amongst them. So Jacob, at age 6, taught them all to Cha-Cha. I expect the Nobel Peace Prize any old day now.
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Elyse,
Awesome about Jacob, especially at age 6. Maybe the Nobel got lost in the mail.
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Yeh, yeh, yeh, these are okay, but I’m waiting to see you “cut a rug” with Mrs. A. Bring it on!! 🙂
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E-Tom,
Oh no … the odds of seeing that here are somewhere between slim to none. We’re not performers, just dance for enjoyment. But thanks for the encouragement!
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Since I wouldn’t be able to get WW to do ballroom dancing with me if his life depended on it, I am very impressed that you and Mrs. A. can “trip the light, fantastic” at this time in your lives. I would be in awe.
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🙂 … and we can dance too … I’ll teach you if we meet!
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It’s such a beautiful dance to watch, Frank. I’ve never mastered it, but maybe one day. I wish I had a bit of Latin in me, apart from the few words I learned at school. 🙂
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Sylvia,
The Latins sure seem to be naturals, thus the envy we hold.
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All these were wonderful. I love the Cha Cha, it is sexy. Of course I love the music and think all the Latin dances are sexy.
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Val,
Good Latin Cha Cha music is fun! Glad you enjoyed this.
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Now you have me dancing at my desk when I shouldn’t be with all of these amazing videos 🙂
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Kay,
Dance away and enjoy yourself! …. and keep smiling!
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