History of the Cha Cha
Latin Cha-cha is a famous ballroom dance. One of five dances in the "Latin American" dance competition categories. Cha-cha music is a combination of African and Cuban rhythms fused to make a Latin beat. The dance is a combination of the Mambo and American Swing. Dancing the Cha-cha is upbeat, playful and flirtatious. Popular musicians today still use Cha-cha infused music, including Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and Carlos Santana.
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History
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Latin Cha-cha was first introduced in 1954. A Cuban violinist by the name of Enrique Jorrin slowed down the beat of the mambo after audiences complained that the tempo of the mambo was too fast and jerky. Cha-cha music was slowed down to about three times the rhythm of the Mambo. The sound made from women's shoes clicking the floor resembled a cha-cha and the dance took on the name.
Identification
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The Cha-cha consists of three quick steps known as the triple step or Cha Cha Cha and two slower steps on the one and two beat. The Cha-cha is danced in 4/4 time, meaning there are four beats to a measure and requires very small steps because of its rhythm. The steps are small gliding steps that touch the floor and the dancers turn while executing the steps. Spins and dips are added as well as fancy footwork to give the dance variation.
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Mambo
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The Mambo is a fusion of jazz and Latin rhythm, it is fast and high tempo. The Mambo dance originated in Cuba and was first introduced by Perez Prado at La Tropicana night-club in Havana in 1943. Mambo was played as a Rumba with a riff ending. The break or emphasis was made on 2 and 4 in 4/4 times. The dance was introduced in the US in New York's Park Plaza Ballroom in 1947. The Mambo is considered very complicated and today the dance is limited to advance trained dancers.
Ballroom Dance
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Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances, enjoyed socially and competitively around the world. The term "ballroom dance" refers to any type of social dancing as recreation. Ballroom dance has evolved throughout the world as a means of competition among the dance circuit. Ballroom dance has become popular in films and on TV. Competitive ballroom dance is considered a DanceSport and spans from junior levels through to competing on an Olympic level. International Latin dance classifications include; the Cha-cha, the Rumba, the Samba and Jive.
Geography
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New York, Miami and San Francisco are areas in the United States where the Cha-cha became immensely popular back in the 1950's. Dancers invented new steps to put signature touches on the dance that were distinct to an area or location. The Cha-cha expanded outside of its Latin origins to become an American dance craze.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit dancing image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com
