4 beats/measure; 26 – 34 meas/min

Along with Rumba and Mambo, Cha developed in Haiti and in Cuba and migrated to the United States in the 1950s. These rhythms are closely related — we can think of Mambo as a fast Rumba and Cha as a triple Mambo. These three rhythms have many figures in common.

The Mambo included 3 quick change of weight.  The 3 changes of weight in the dance identified the verbal saying of “Cha Cha Cha”.  In the 1950’s Enrique Jarrin, a Cuban composer, discovered this dance and developed more variations and footwork. In the beginning the Cha Cha was originally danced only to Latin sounding music.  However, over time any 4/4 type of music with a good beat was used for the Cha Cha.

Normally there are 5 steps to a measure using 1, 2, 3&, 4.  Each step should be taken with pressure on the ball of the foot with knee flexed.  As weight is taken on to the ball of the foot the heel is lowered, the knee straightens and the heel of the opposite foot releases as the hips move to the side.  Most Latin figures and rhythms are danced ball flat with toes slightly turned out. Emphasis the Latin styling with a straight leg, tight thighs, forward poise and settling into the hip.  It is important to return to a parallel facing position when finishing a figure, i.e., when finishing a Hand to Hand, New Yorker, Spot Turn, etc.  Failure to do this could make it difficult to execute the next figure. 

Credits: http://haroldsears.com, www.roundalab.org

ROUND-A-LAB PHASE III Figures

  • BACK BASIC
  • BASIC
  • BREAK
  • BREAK [to position]                      
  • CHASE
  • CHASE PEEK-A-BOO
  • CHASE PEEK-A-BOO DOUBLE
  • CHASE WITH UNDERARM PASS
  • CIRCLE AWAY AND TOGETHER
  • CRAB WALKS
  • CUCARACHA
  • FENCE LINE
  • FORWARD BASIC
  • HAND TO HAND
  • LARIAT
  • NEW YORKER
  • OPEN BREAK
  • REVERSE UNDERARM TURN
  • SAND STEP
  • SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
  • SIDE WALKS
  • SLIDING DOOR
  • SPOT TURN
  • TIME STEP
  • TRAVELING
  • DOOR
  • UNDERARM
  • TURN
  • WALK 2 & CHA
  • WHIP

ROUND-A-LAB PHASE IV Figures

  • AIDA
  • ALEMANA
  • ALEMANA FROM A FAN
  • CROSS BODY
  • DEVELOPE 
  • FAN [from 1/2 Basic]                         
  • FAN
  • FLIRT
  • HOCKEY STICK
  • PARALLEL CHASE
  • RONDE BOX
  • SWITCH                        
  • SWITCH CROSS
  • SWITCH ROCK
  • TRADE PLACES
  • TRIPLE CHA FORWARD or BACK
  • UMBRELLA TURN

ROUND-A-LAB PHASE V Figures

  • CHALLENGE CHASE
  • CLOSED HIP TWIST
  • CROSS BASIC
  • CUDDLE DOUBLE
  • CUBAN BREAKS
  • DOUBLE CUBANS
  • FULL NATURAL TOP
  • LA SUIZA
  • NATURAL OPENING OUT
  • OPEN HIP TWIST
  • SINGLE CUBAN BREAK
  • SINGLE CUBAN
  • SIT LINE
  • STOP AND GO HOCKEY STICK
  • SWEETHEART

ROUND-A-LAB PHASE VI Figures

  • ADVANCED ALEMANA
  • ADVANCED HIP TWIST
  • ADVANCED SLIDING DOOR
  • BALLERINA WHEEL
  • CONTINUOUS NATURAL TOP
  • CURL
  • FOLLOW MY LEADER
  • FULL REVERSE TOP
  • ROPE SPIN
  • TURKISH TOWEL