Cha-cha-cha is a very playful, hilarious and incredibly spectacular Latin American dance that has a unique character and a very positive incendiary energy. This dance is based on imitating the rhythm of the Cuban steps to the side, used in many dances. But, despite such a foundation, cha-cha-cha has a lot of features and nuances that make it unique and not like other Latin ballroom dances.
Features of dance
On the path of its formation and development, the cha-cha-cha very often underwent all kinds of modifications. Due to such changes it can be executed both at a distance and in a pair. Another feature of this dance is its rhythm, which is 120 beats per minute. Cha-cha-cha is performed accompanied by stunning music, which is characterized by a happy, daring and carefree coloring. And the dance itself makes an indelible impression on the audience and captures the dancers themselves in a cycle of passion. This effect is achieved due to clear, bright and even slightly impudent movements of partners, having a “cloud” of passion, flirtation and love between them. The main concept of cha-cha-cha is one step, as well as fairly strong and frequent hip movements and straightening of the knees at every step.
History of cha-cha-cha dance
The author of cha-cha-cha is one very talented Cuban composer Enrique Horrin. He wanted to create a special average rhythm that would be well remembered and easily recognized. Moreover, it should have been a melody not only for listening, but also for the dance. In the course of his experiments, Horrin created a neodanson, which no longer resembled its predecessors. Soon another creation of the composer was born, the rhythm of which he called Mambo-rumba. This work caused a real sensation and delight. It was with the Mambo-rumba that the cha-cha-cha dance originated, the tempo and music of which was a bit slower. By the way, the name “cha-cha-cha”, the dance got thanks to the dancers, who, following the accompaniment sounds (sounds of maracas), created an additional sound with their feet. It sounded three times in a row and resembled “cha-cha-cha”. Over time, Horrin’s dance became much faster and no longer resembled a rumba. Now cha-cha-cha is already a self-sufficient and full-fledged choreographic composition.
To date, this dance is one of the most famous and popular Latin American dances, due to its dynamic, graceful and inherent flirting. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is also called “dance of coquette”.
What features differ cha-cha-cha from other genres?
- The musical accompaniment is characterized by a clear rhythm and a moderate tempo. If we talk about the international style of performance, the tempo is 32 cycles per minute;
- movements are expressive, energetic, fast, without uplift and decline. The main combination is triple steps, thanks to which the dance is sometimes called a “triple mambo”. All this is supplemented by intensive movements of the hips of the female partner;
- the character of the dance is incendiary, cheerful, carefree and playful. The main role in the pair belongs to a woman who “flirts” with a partner. At the same time, all movements are designed to show the beauty and gracefulness of the curves of the female body, which intensifies the passions in the couple and in the auditorium;
- cha-cha-cha is both the pair and solo dance. In any case, it’s always the history of two – he and she – whose hot feelings turn into an extraordinary performance on energy.
Interesting Facts
In 1958, in Hong Kong, the Cha Cha Cha Championship was held. He was won by a 17-year-old boy, whom destiny prepared a completely different path. It was Bruce Lee. He began to learn dancing at the age of 13. It turns out it took him only 4 years to become the best in this field.
According to the rules of ballroom dancing, the distance between partners during the execution of cha-cha-cha should not be more than 15 cm.
The status of the participant in the contest for Latin American dances was received by cha-cha-cha in 1954, a very short time after his official birth. This indicates the great interest and popularity of the genre among dancers and those who are far from the world of dances.
In English you can often hear that the dance is called simply chacha. This is due to the innovation that was introduced by American choreographer Arthur Murray. Initially, the movements were carried out at the expense of “one, two, cha, cha, cha,” where five cycles can be clearly traced. Murray used another account: “one, two, three, cha-cha.” At the same time, “cha-cha” is one measure, which resulted in a total of 4. Thanks to this, a new name was born.
The popularity of the cha-cha-cha did not go unheeded by the film industry. Its performance can be seen in such films as “And God created Woman” (Brigitte Bordeaux dances) and “Dirty Dancing” (a clear rhythm is beaten by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray).
The summer of 1954 for New York music lovers passed under the sign of “cha-cha-cha.” Two plates of three were produced in this genre.
To demonstrate their skills in the performance of the Latin American Chacha, it is not necessary to look for a large dance floor. The style is characterized by minimal progress in the hall, so a small space is quite suitable.
The names of the dance figures, characteristic for this direction, have interesting names: fan, New York and hockey stick.
Now you know what cha-cha-cha is, its history and the best melodies in its rhythms. It remains only to learn how to dance the brightest and most memorable Cuban dance. Waiting for you in a ballroom class!