CHA-CHA
What is Cha-Cha
Dances?
The Cha Cha dance is renowned as a
fun, flirtatious, lively and energetic
dance and it is a preference for both
professional and non-professional
dancers.
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. It is a playful and vibrant dance.
2. The bubbly and light feel of the cha-cha-cha gives a
unique sense of fun for dancers.
3. It requires graceful steps and lots of hip motion or
Cuban motion, as it danced with 4/4 in time.
4. The fourth beat is divided into two, giving it 2, 3, 4,
and 1 rhythm.
5. Five steps are danced to four beats as
in the "one, two, cha-cha-cha" pattern.
HISTORY OF DANCES
The dance cha-cha-cha is derived from triple mambo with just a
touch of swing which is another Cuban import.
Others attributed it from the certain plants in the islands of West
Indies that produce seed pods called cha-cha or (depending on
the islands) cha-cha or kwa-kwa .
In Haiti, the typical voodoo band is consists of three drums, a
bell, and a cha-cha.
In 1935 a group of orchestra called "Charangas" or "Orquestras
Danzones" introduced this dance in the United States.
In 1953, the Cuban Orchestra America started the time honored danzon
with a new syncopated beat and the cha-cha was born.
The cha-cha was introduced in the United States in 1954 and by 1959
Americans were "gaga over cha-cha" with dance studios reporting it to
be their most popular dance
MUSIC
OF
DANC
ES
Cha-cha music is written 4/4 time, syncopation of
the fourth beat and maybe played over a wide
range of tempos. Often in Cha-Cha music a
rhythmical link can be heard between each
measureDANCE
resulting MUSIC
in an overall of 1,2 cha cha 3,4
cha cha cha.
The cha-cha is often danced to authentic Cuban
music but can be performed to all music genres,
including country, funk, and hip-hop.
DANCES
POSITION
CLOSE BASIC
Man and lady stand in front of
each other in body contact,
slightly offset to the left. The
feet should be positioned
slightly offset so that the right
foot of either partner can step
between the other partner's
feet.
WITH UND
ARM
TURN TO RIGHT
(RULES)
The following are some general rules and regulations of
Cha-cha-cha dance:
• Basic Steps: The basic steps of the Cha-cha-cha dance involve a
triple step pattern, consisting of two quick steps and one slower
step.
• Timing: The Cha-cha-cha is danced in 4/4 time, with each
measure consisting of four beats.
• Footwork: The footwork in the Cha-cha-cha is very important,
and the dancers must be sure to place their feet correctly.
• Arm movements: The arms of the dancers are also an important
part of the Cha-cha-cha dance. The dancers should hold their arms
in a loose and relaxed manner, with the man placing his right hand
on the woman's back and his left hand holding her right hand. The
woman places her left hand on the man's shoulder and her right
hand in his left hand.
Frame: The frame is the position of the dancers' bodies while they are dancing. The
dancers should maintain a strong and stable frame throughout the dance, with the
man providing the lead and the woman following his movements.
Music: Cha-cha-cha is usually danced to music with a moderate tempo of 110 to 130
beats per minute. The music should have a distinct Latin American rhythm and be easy
to dance to.
Dress code: There is no specific dress code for Cha-cha-cha dance, but dancers should
wear comfortable clothing that allows for easy movement. Men usually wear dress
pants and a dress shirt, while women wear a dress or a skirt and blouse.
Etiquette: Dancers should be courteous and respectful to their partners and other
dancers on the dance floor. It is important to be aware of other dancers around you
and to avoid collisions or stepping on other dancers' feet.
Overall, Cha-cha-cha is a fun and exciting dance that can be enjoyed by dancers of all
levels. By following these basic rules and regulations, dancers can ensure a successful
and enjoyable dance experience.
BASIC STEPS:
• Cha cha music is composed in 4/4 time
(four beats to a bar of music). For each
bar of music there are 2 slow and 3 quick
steps, which may be counted as – one,
two, cha, cha, cha or step, step, step,
quick step, quick step. The footwork is
simple and mostly focuses on just
shifting weight from one foot to another.
• Remember, five steps are taken to four
beats of music. Also don't forget that the
movements tend to be somewhat
flirtatious. This is definitely a party dance!
Basic Side Step for
Men
[Link] to the left with your left foot
[Link] backward & left with your right foot
[Link] foot in place, weight shifts to it
[Link] to the right with your right foot
[Link] your left foot to your right foot
[Link] to the right with your right foot
[Link] forward & right with your left foot
[Link] foot in place, weight shifts to it
[Link] to the left with your left foot
[Link] your right foot to your left foot
Basic Side Step for
Women
[Link] to the right with your right foot
[Link] forward & right with your left foot
[Link] foot in place, weight shifts to it
[Link] to the left with your left foot
[Link] your right foot to your left foot
[Link] to the right with your left foot
[Link] backward & left with your right foot
[Link] foot in place, weight shifts to it
[Link] to the right with your right foot
[Link] your left foot to your right foot
APPROPRIATE OUTFIT:
