On Cha Cha (Cha)

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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)