Ballroom Dance Cha Cha History
The cha-cha is one of the most popular forms of Latin dancing in the United States, if not the world. It is a fast-paced dance that many instructors feel is easier to tackle for a beginner than other Latin dancing, such as salsa. Though the dance has many variations in steps, it is primarily danced today as it was when it was introduced in the 1950s in Havana, Cuba.
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History
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Cha-cha (originally referred to as the cha-cha-cha) has its roots and the Latin dance, mambo and the Cuban rumba. It evolved in Havana, Cuba, in the late 1940s when Cuban bands entertained American tourists in the city's hotel resorts and casinos. The bands infused Cuban rumba sounds with American jazz elements, creating the mambo. The song was danced with a triple hip movement, which evolved into a triple step involving three quick changes of weight followed by two slower steps. Pierre Lavelle, a British dance teacher, was the first known person to teach the cha-cha in a studio. The cha-cha became the most popular Latin American dance in the United States during this decade and for many to come.
Steps
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Feet remain close to the floor while performing the cha-cha, as in many Latin dances. There is much hip and pelvic movement, and the upper body follows the direction of the lower. The toe makes contact with the floor first, the heel setting down last. When the foot lifts from the floor, the heel lifts first so that the toe, or ball of the foot, is still in contact with the floor for a brief second. There are some steps where only the ball of the foot touches the floor. Today the cha-cha is danced at 120 beats per minute, with the steps occurring on the beat. There is strong hip and little torso movement.
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Origin of the Dance's Name
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There are several theories about where the cha-cha's name originated. The original name of the cha-cha, cha-cha-cha, may have been derived from the Cuban dance, guaracha, a fast paced, cheerful dance, which was popular in Europe at the time. It also may reflect the quick rhythm of the dance's signature triple step. Cha-cha also refers to a plant with seed pods. The pods are used to make shakers called maracas, or cha-chas. Cuban musicians often use them as a type of metronome.
Social Versus Ballroom Cha-cha
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In the American version of the cha-cha, hip movement is achieved by alternately bending and straightening the knees. It is important to note, however, that in professional ballroom cha-cha, the leg the dancer's weight is put on must always remain straight. The opposite leg bends but straightens right before it receives the body's weight again. Also, in ballroom cha-cha, the accompanying music is often upbeat and static. Cuban cha-cha music is slower and considered more sensual. Despite these major differences, cha-cha is still danced primarily in its original style introduced in 1950s Cuba.
Walter Laird's Variation in Cha-Cha Technique
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In Walter Laird's "Technique of Latin Dancing," the renowned ballroom dancer devotes an entire chapter to the breakdown of cha-cha. Here he points out that there are many variations in steps. For example, the couple may rotate around, switching places. In this case, the hip movement that normally occurs on the fourth beat does not. Other variations in style, such as the sweetheart or follow-my-leader variations, are described in great detail. Laird even breaks down how to perform a finishing turn. This book is still used today as a supplement for teaching cha-cha.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Couple dancers silhuette vector illustration image by Anton Gvozdikov from Fotolia.com
