Cha Cha
Cha Cha is one of the most popular Latin dances. It is a lively and fun non-progressive dance which emphasises Cuban Hip Motion and rhythmic body movement.
Cha Cha evolved from a version of Cuban Mambo called triple Mambo.
As Mambo music and dance developed, musicians experimented with new beats and tempos and the Mambo underwent subtle changes. The new Triple Mambo was created as the slower music allowed for side steps to be added. The scraping and shuffling of the feet in these steps produced a sound, that sounds like “Cha Cha Cha”. This is where Cha Cha reportedly got it’s name.
In 1951 Cuban violinist Enrique Jorrin developed a beat with a medium rhythm that was very recognisable and not too frenetic. With a defining beat and more simplified steps, Cha Cha with it’s catchy syncopated rhythm, became an enormously popular night club dance throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
It can be danced to a wide range of up-tempo latin and popular music such as “Smooth’ by Carlos Santana and more traditional songs such as “Guantanamera” by Celia Cruz.
The Cha Cha is one of Firefly’s core dance styles. It can be learned in private lessons or group classes. The basic steps are introduced as part of the casual Dance Sampler and Get on the Floor classes. It is covered in more depth in the Partner Dancing for Beginners Level II class, Bronze classes and in private lessons at those levels.
If you are interested in learning Cha Cha:
- Talk to Firefly on 1300 725 977
- Check the Dance Sampler schedule
- Check the Group Timetable for the next Partner Dancing for Beginners Level II class
- Enquire Now
