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AMERICAN CHA-CHA
- Author:
- Dave Watson
- Date Published:
- January 26, 2003
The rhythm of Cha-Cha music can be very confusing to dancers – particularly Gringos. There are a lot of overlapping rhythms that can distract you and throw you off. Also, the ‘1’ beat, which is the strongest beat of the music. Is not the beat on which we “break”!
Authentic Cha-Cha Dancers have always “broken” on the ‘2’ beat, and always will.
Therefore, for this class, we will use the rhythm: 1,2,3,4&1…,wherein 2,3 is the “break” step. If you’re used to breaking on the ‘1’, this will seem a little bit “off-time” to you, but, as you get more experienced, you will learn to appreciate breaking on the ‘2’.
COUNT:
BASIC:
Begin in Closed Facing Position with Man’s left foot free and Lady’s right foot free.
Man: Prep step on left foot, then dance a back rock
Lady: Dance a Prep Step on your right foot, then do a forward rock 1, 2, 3
Man & Lady dance a “Chasse’” (Side/Together/Side) 4&1
Man Dances Forward Rock & Chasse’ to left
Lady Dances Back Rock & Chasse’ to right 2, 3, 4&1
It is important when dancing the Cha-Cha, to keep the balls of both feet solidly in contact with the floor at all times (unless you have a really good reason – like a kick). Also, keep squeezing the thighs together so as to keep the weight over the inside edges of the feet. And one more thing: try to keep your feet turned out.
SURPRISE UNDER-ARM (PEEK-A-BOO):
We will begin this pattern after having danced a half Basic, and three (3) Cross-Over Breaks (New Yorkers). Therefore, partners are now facing one another, Man is standing on his left foot, Lady is standing on her right foot. We are standing on the ‘1’ beat having just finished “Cha-Cha-Cha”(4&1). The Man has raised his left arm (indicating an Under-Arm Turn), and the Lady is preparing to go under the arm on the next step (just like a normal Under-Arm Turn).
Man dances a side step right and lifts his left arm to lead the
Lady to dance an Under-Arm Turn
Lady starts to dance under the arm with a forward step left. 2
Man now catches Lady’s left shoulder with his right hand
And leads the Lady to come back turning to her left
Lady steps back with her right foot and begins to spin to her left 3
Man dances normal chasse’ to face Lady
Lady continues her spin for 1 ½ Reverse turns on the ‘Triple-Step’ 4&1
To finish, Man rocks forward left,and Lady rocks back right
In Closed Position – OR, they can overturn the finish
To end in another Cross-Over Break (both rock forward) 2, 3
PULL-BACK HIP TWIST:
We will begin this pattern after having danced a Natural Top, and a Natural Opening Out Movement. Therefore, partners are standing on the ‘1’ beat, and are turned to Promenade Position. Lady’s right foot is held forward with no weight – all her weight is on the left foot. Man has all his weight on the right foot – feet closed – with his left foot free.
Man rocks his left foot forward and across himself while turning slightly to his right
Lady rocks right foot back and across herself while turning to her right 2
Man replaces weight to his right foot and turns strongly to his left
Leading Lady to swivel in
Lady replaces weight to her left foot and swivels a full half turn to her left
To end facing forward on Man’s right side 3
Man steps back and across with left foot – leading Lady to step forward
On his right side (outside partner)
Lady steps forward right – outside partner – on the Man’s right side 4
Man closes right foot to left and leads Lady to continue dancing away
Lady will turn slightly to her right to face Man and step side left &
Man steps side left away from Lady leading Lady to continue away
Lady closes her feet (right to left) and “pops” her hips 1
At this point, partners are basically perpendicular to one another, and looking g at each other. Lady has her feet together with her weight on the right foot – ready to move out with her left foot – and her hips are “popped”. Man has all his weight on his left foot with his right foot held in a straight leg line to the side, towards the Lady.
CROSS-BODY LEAD (Taken after the Pull-Back Hip Twist):
Man will lead the Lady to come forward by stepping back with his right foot
Lady will dance forward left across the front plane of the Man’s body
And begin to turn slightly to her left 2
Man steps forward left to follow Lady’s direction as he leads Lady to
Commence turning a Reverse (Inside – Left-turning) Under-Arm Turn
Lady steps back right having begun an Under-Arm Turn 3
Man dances a progressive chasse’ following the Lady’s direction (rt / lt / rt)
Lady does a chaine’ turn (triple-step turn) spinning to her left (lt / rt / lt) 4&1
Man dances normal forward rock at Lady (left / right)
Lady dances normal back rock facing Man (right / left) 2, 3
Both partners now dance their normal basic chasse’ to complete the movement 4&