The Cha Cha:
Most dances that have become popular have, with few exceptions, derived their personal heritage from the influence of another dance. The One-Step influenced the Fox Trot, and so it goes. The Cha Cha follows this theory to an uncommon degree. It gathers its personality, character, rhythm, basis, and charm from three primary sources. It is a derivation of the Mambo, the Rumba as well, and is also a stepchild of the Swing, as it is danced to the same “1-2-3” triple step rhythm.
The Cha Cha is a geographical half-breed, springing up from Latin American roots in Cuba , and flowering under North American influence. Each country has used a slightly different styling and pattern form. While closely identified with the Mambo, the Cha Cha has enough intrinsic individuality to be classified as a distinct dance. Much has been said about the Rumba and Mambo, but little has been written about the history of the Cha Cha, possibly because it is so closely identified with the mambo. The tempo can be slow and staccato, much like a sensational blues number, or fast and lively. It is so much an “on the beat” dance that you can't help but inject your own feeling into it. This facet, more than any other, makes the dance fun for people of all ages. It is a real “let yourself go” type dance.
Cha Cha music is written in 4/4 time and should be played at a tempo of 30-34 measures per minute. The timing is mandatory in this dance since the “Cha Cha” should be danced on 4 & 1; therefore, you would count Cha Cha in the following manner: 1, 2, 3, 4 & 1, 2, 3, 4 &, etc. The Cha Cha is danced in a spot rather than moving around the room. The steps are quite compact with the feet usually no more than 12 inches apart, and a short, staccato, Latin hip movement is used throughout the Cha Cha.
Your Cha Cha lesson begins by the two dance partners facing each other in the dance position. The man's right hand is placed on the lady's back just below the shoulder blade with his right elbow held up and away from the body. His left elbow is held in the same manner as the right elbow with his left hand extended up. The lady then places her left hand on the man's right shoulder and allows her arm to lightly rest along the man's right arm. Her right hand is placed in the man's left. If you are practicing alone, extend your arms out in front of you with your elbows bent as if in dance position.