2. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• The cha-cha dance originated from Cuba and was originally known as the
cha-cha-cha. The dance gained popularity around the 1950's and was
created from two other dances – the 'mambo' and the 'danzon'. While
working with the charanga group 'Orquesta America' in Cuba performed at
dance halls in Havana. Enrique Jorrin, a violinist and composer, realized that
most of the crowds related the danzon-mambo rhythm to a much slower
mambo dance and thus had hardship adopting the syncopated rhythms. He
decided to compose music that strongly focused on the first downbeat such
that the rhythm became less syncopated. This caused the crowd dancers to
develop a triple step, creating the sound 'cha-cha-cha' with their shoes, thus
the cha-cha-cha was born.
3.
4. • The dance was introduced in the United States around 1954 and had
apparently gained so much popularity among American's by 1959 that it was
reported to be the most popular dance in the country.
• Other's have speculated that the name and dance originate from the ritual
dances and religious music of the West Indians who used some plants which
had seedpods they called cha-cha to build a musical rattle for use in religious
singing and thus dancing.
• The music became quite popular in Havana dance halls and so did the dance,
a craze that spread through to Mexico City and finally worldwide with
popularity spreading up to Latin America, Western Europe and the United
States by 1955. The basis of the modern cha-cha dance was originally taught
internationally by an English dance teacher, Pierre Margolie, in the 1950's and
today's learning is based on their accounts.
• The dance is danced in a steady yet energetic rhythm to authentic Cuban
music, Latin Rock or Latin Pop and is made up of two slower steps followed by
three quick steps i.e. cha-cha-cha in a 'one-two-cha-cha-cha' dance rhythm.
5.
6. BASIC DANCE
STEPS
IN CHA-CHA-CHA
Cha Cha Cha is primarily a partner dance, this means if you don't have a partner that's no problem at
all. The routine is taught in easy to follow stages that build you up to a full choreographed routine.
7. BASIC DANCE 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.
8. • Partners face each other. Gentleman starts with the left foot, lady starts with the right
foot. Basic ballroom hold.
BASIC SIDE STEP FOR MEN:
1. Sidestep to the left with your left foot
2. Step backward & left with your right foot
3. Left foot in place, weight shifts to it
4. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
5. Move your left foot to your right foot
6. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
7. Step forward & right with your left foot
8. Right foot in place, weight shifts to it
9. Sidestep to the left with your left foot
10.Move your right foot to your left foot
9. BASIC SIDE STEP FOR
WOMEN:
1. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
2. Step forward & right with your left foot
3. Right foot in place, weight shifts to it
4. Sidestep to the left with your left foot
5. Move your right foot to your left foot
6. Sidestep to the right with your left foot
7. Step backward & left with your right foot
8. Left foot in place, weight shifts to it
9. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
10.Move your left foot to your right foot
