| Cha Cha is an offshoot of the Mambo. Originally | | | | characteristic three-step change of weight carried the |
| known as the Cha-Cha-Cha it became popular in | | | | identifying verbal definition, "cha-cha-cha". |
| about 1954. Eventually it evolved into a separate | | | | This dance differentiates itself from all the other Latin |
| dance, known today as the Cha Cha -a mambo | | | | dances: that is to sing in harmony with no vibrato. In |
| (fusion of jazz and Latin rhythm slowed down three | | | | 1949, this new gender of dance craze was introduced |
| times.).It is an energetic and sensual dance. | | | | in the United Stated by Minon Mondajar. Cha Cha Cha, |
| An English dance teacher in 1952- Pierre Lavelle- | | | | brass, strings or reeds are used melodically and in |
| travelled and brought his version back to the British | | | | rhythms against a solid Latin rhythm part with voices in |
| Isles from Cuba. The famous American dance | | | | unison prevailing throughout. |
| instructor Arthur Murray simplified the dance to a 1, 2, 3, | | | | Steps to perform the Cha-Cha. |
| Cha Cha rhythm. As a result the Cha Cha slowed | | | | * Stand in front of your dance partner. |
| down somewhat and became more mechanical for | | | | * Place right hand high on your partner's back, under |
| Murrays students. three tim | | | | her shoulder blade. |
| Origin of Cha-Cha | | | | * Extend the left hand to chest height with elbow bent |
| From the less inhibited night clubs and dance halls the | | | | and your palm raised. |
| Mambo underwent subtle changes. It was triple | | | | * Hold your partner's right hand in a loose grip. |
| mambo, and then peculiar scraping and shuffling | | | | * Listen to the rhythm of the music. |
| sounds during the "tripling" produced the imitative sound | | | | * Move Steps to the left and slightly backward with |
| of Cha Cha Cha. This then became a dance in itself. | | | | your left foot. |
| Mambo or triple Mambo or Cha Cha as it is now | | | | * Move Steps back with your right foot, rocking up on |
| called, is but an advanced stage in interpretive social | | | | your left foot as you do so. |
| dancing born of the fusion of progressive American | | | | * Step forward with your right feet. Bring your left foot |
| and Latin music. | | | | into your right and close your feet together. |
| This dance was developed to the new mambo | | | | * Step to the right and slightly forward with your right |
| rhythm. For this reason, the dance was popular with | | | | foot. |
| dancers thoroughly familiar with complex Afro-Cuban | | | | * Step forward with your left foot, rocking up on your |
| music. However, many figures of the mambo was | | | | right heel as you do so Step back with your right foot. |
| called the chatch, which involved three quick changes | | | | * Step to the left with your left foot and bring your |
| of weight preceded by two slow steps. By the early | | | | right foot in to close the step. Repeat. |
| 1950s the dance acquired the name CHA-CHA; its | | | | |