Origin of the Cha-Cha
The cha-cha originated in Cuba in the 1950s and was inspired by the danzon-mambo. This musical style combined both European sounds with African rhythm.
A flexible dance, the cha-cha can be performed to either traditional Cuban music or to Latin pop. The formal cha-cha is an energetic dance with a steady beat. The traditional Cuban cha-cha is considered to be more sensual than energetic.
How to Cha-Cha
Despite the intricate and fast paced footwork, the cha-cha is a compact dance perfect for crowded dance floors. The cha-cha's characteristic hip movement is achieved by alternately bending and straightening the knee of each leg.
Throughout the years, the cha-cha has evolved to include an element of improvisation.
Learn to Cha-Cha
Cha-cha is one of the five dances included in the Latin American program for all international ballroom competitions. The dance was chosen because of the high level of technical expertise that competitive dancers can achieve and because of the cultural flavor of the dance. With the proper dedication and drive to do so, this fun, energetic dance is easy to master.
Whether you want to learn how to dance the cha-cha socially or competitively, Arthur Murray offers cha-cha lessons for dancers of all levels
Ready to dance? Sign-up for a private dance lesson today!
