How to Dance the Pachanga
The rhythm on which Pachanga music is based is a meld between the Merengue and the Conga and first came to popularity in Columbia circa 1959. For a short time the Pachanga and its accompanying music overtook the Cha-Cha in popularity in the early 1960s. Here's how to dance the Pachanga.
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Instructions
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1
Do the "Pachanga Basic" which is the main step in which to move to the music. You should note that there are 8 beats in a measure when dancing the Pachanga. They are "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and." Pair off in groups of male and female. The male then steps in place with his left foot on 1, back with his right foot on 2, in place with his left foot on 3, then side step the right on 4, then left together with the right on the "4 and." Now at the same time, your partner does the opposite. This sounds confusing; but if you stand and try the simple step, it works.
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Take your partner's hands in yours. (It should be pointed out that there are literally hundreds of variations on Pachanga, it's music and it's dance steps. Now that you know the basic step, this is some of the popular twists.) Continue your basic Pachanga step as you take your partner's hands in yours. Continue your basic step while holding hands at chest level for the next eight beats.
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3
Spin your partner to the side. After completing 2 full 8 counts of holding your partner's hands, spin them out to the side. Hold the pose for a split second as both of you are fully extended.
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Twirl your partner back into you. This can be done with a single or double twirl for those who are truly ambitious. Once you are again facing each other, repeat the basic Pachanga step footwork.
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Tips & Warnings
For a variation on the step, after the spin to the side, pass your partner's hand around your head and spin out behind you to the other side.
For a truly magical set of Pachanga moves, visit a dance studio, like Arthur Murray (a National chain) which specializes in the hundreds of moves analogous to Latin dance, including the Pachanga.
