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What Exactly Is The Cha Cha?

The Cha-Cha is a vibrant and enjoyable dance that gets you up and moving around the dance floor. Cha-
Cha is a dance that combines the slower steps of the Rumba and Mambo with a triple step. For beginner
dance students, the Cha-Cha has become a must-know. Due to its simplicity and intensity, it has grown
in popularity throughout time.

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The history of ChaCha’s

The popular dance was originally known as Cha Cha Cha when it was first introduced to the United
States in 1954. The dance movement had grown in popularity to the point where it had surpassed the
Mambo as the most popular dance by 1959. By this point, the name had been shortened to Cha Cha.
The adaptability of the cha cha is by far the most important factor in its popularity. Dancers are given
the freedom to construct their own hybrid dances.

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.

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There are two versions of the name Cha Cha’s origin.

The first claims credit to Enrique origin- a Cuban violinist. Jorrin invented the phrase “Cha Cha” to
audibly imitate the shuffling sound of a dancer’s shoes hitting the dance floor.

Pierre Lavelle- is credited with bringing the Cha Cha to the European continent. Lavelle traveled to Cuba
in the 1950s to watch and understand the culture’s dance style. He observed how the dancers added
extra steps to the standard Rumba and Mambo routines. When he got home from Cuba, he began
teaching the Cha

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Basic steps of Cha cha

1. Start with a rock step. Leaders start by stepping back with the right foot, shifting their weight to
be on their right hip, and tapping the left foot. The follower does the opposite, stepping forward
with the left, tapping with the right.

2. Add a triple step. The triple step follows the rock step. The leader brings their right foot back
next to the left, then lifts and replaces first their left foot then right foot. That right-left-right
action is the triple step and the motion that gives the cha-cha cha dance its name. The follower
mirrors this motion.
 3. Repeat, but alternate direction. The leader does another rock step, this time stepping forward
with the left foot and then tapping the right. They then cha-cha-cha with their left foot, then
right, then left again. The follower again mirrors their movements.

4. Add a side step. After doing a couple triple steps, the leader may try a more lateral motion with
the side step. The side step begins with a rock step, stepping back with the right and tapping
with the left. Next, instead of closing the feet together, the leader goes side-close-side, stepping
out with the right foot, closing with the left foot, and stepping rightward again with the right
foot. They then do another rock step forward with the left foot and then another side step, this
time going to the left. The follower mirrors their movements.

5. Hand placement. Throughout the dance, the leader can put their right hand on the follower’s
back and the follower puts their left hand on the leader’s shoulder. Clasp hands with the free
hand. Throughout the rock, triple, and side steps, both partners’ torsos should stay straight, and
their hips should sway out to the direction of their feet’s movement. As each dancer moves on
the triple step’s cha-cha-cha, their hips can sway left, right, left or right, left, right.

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Benefits of Cha-Cha Dancing:

 It is a great cardio workout that also tones your legs, glutes, and core
 Looking to meet new people and make new friends? Dance classes are a great way to do that!
 Dancing as been shown to relieve stress and even improve your brain health
 Your self-esteem and confidence are sure to get a boost from dance lessons

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QUESTIONS:

1. What country did chacha originated?

2. Who is the composer attributed to the invention of the chacha?
3.