Dance Styles - Cha Cha (Social Fusion on "1")
Originating in Cuba, Cha Cha was invented in the 1950s based on the Cha Cha music created by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín.
There are various styles of Cha Cha, including International Ballroom, American Ballroom and Cuban. The footwork pattern for the basic step is generally the same across all styles, however, the count for each style differs.
At BoogieCamp, we teach social Cha Cha on "1" (based on Street Salsa on "1") - where in the basic step, the leader steps forward on his left and the follower steps back on her right on the "1" count. We count Cha Cha as follows: 1-2-3-and-4 (1-2-cha-cha-cha), 5-6-7-and-8 (5-6-cha-cha-cha).
Check out the videos below to learn the basics. Also below is a list of songs that you can Cha Cha Cha to... enjoy!
There are various styles of Cha Cha, including International Ballroom, American Ballroom and Cuban. The footwork pattern for the basic step is generally the same across all styles, however, the count for each style differs.
At BoogieCamp, we teach social Cha Cha on "1" (based on Street Salsa on "1") - where in the basic step, the leader steps forward on his left and the follower steps back on her right on the "1" count. We count Cha Cha as follows: 1-2-3-and-4 (1-2-cha-cha-cha), 5-6-7-and-8 (5-6-cha-cha-cha).
Check out the videos below to learn the basics. Also below is a list of songs that you can Cha Cha Cha to... enjoy!
OPTIMIST:
Someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it's a cha-cha.
~ Robert Brault
Dance Steps & Video Lessons for Beginners
All videos link to YouTube and have been created by third parties not affiliated with BoogieCamp.
- Basic Step (called Side Basic in the video)
- Follower's Outside Turn
- New Yorkers & Turns (also called Crossover Breaks & Turns)
- Parallel Breaks (also called Shoulder to Shoulder)
- Leader's Turn
- Offset Breaks (also called: Fallaway Breaks and Hand to Hand)
- Open Break & Underarm Turn
- Cross Body Lead
- Forward & Back Step (also called Progressive Basic)
- Follower's and Leader's Turn
- Cross Body Lead
- Progressive Three Cha Chas (also called Triple Chase)