CHA - CHA origens

"It was during the height of the mambo craze that in 1951 prominent Cuban violinist Enrique Jorrin recognised the difficulties that the dancers had "..dancing to off-beat and syncopated melodies.." (E. Jorrin, Diccionario de la Musica Cubana de Helio Orovio).

This was especially true for the faster mambo rhythms.

Recognising the need for a slower but still recogniseable mambo beat, the charanga orchestras composed new 'danzones' utilising this new rhythm. The slower Mambo tempo gave a distinct sound in the music that everyone could dance to.

This new sound was an instant it and people began calling the new step the "Triple" Mambo. It has since evolved into a separate dance known today as the Cha-Cha.

Cha-Cha draws it's origins from the puerto rican 'danzonette' and the cuban 'danzon' rhythms during the 1950's.

Cha-Cha derives it's name from the plant that makes a "cha-cha" sound when it is rubbed. Cha-Cha distinguishes itself from all other latin dances by it's distinctive vocal trademark.

The lead singer sings in unison with accompanying vocalists (singing in the same pitch) unlike other latin rhythms.

Cha-Cha inherits much of it's styling from it's parent dances, the rumba and the mambo. Like most latin dances, it is done with the feet remaining close to the floor.

The dancers' hips are relaxed to allow a free movement in the pelvic section characterised by the swinging hips called "Cuban Motion", and by taking very small steps.

The "cha cha" part of the rhythm is almost a chasse, or a series of small gliding steps that touch the floor with the upper body shifting over the supporting foot as steps are taken.

The Cha-Cha dance consists of three quick steps and two slowers steps. It is danced to 4/4 time (four beats to a measure). Dancing each bar of music will take two slow steps and three quick steps.

The rhythm is "slow-slow-quick-quick-slow" or counting "two-three-four and one". The count "four and one" corresponds to the "cha-cha-cha" part of the rhythm.

'Cha Cha' is introduced as a 8 week Beginners 'Cha Cha' course and is followed by Intermediate and Advanced 'Cha Cha' course.

This course teaches the original 'street' Cha Cha dance that originated in Cuba, not to be confused with the latin ballroom Cha Cha.

Although 'Cha Cha' has many moves that can be converted into Salsa moves and vice versa, 'Cha Cha' has many of it's own distinct moves and turn patterns.