In our next Mambo course we’ll be doing Cha Cha shines instead of Mambo shines. For something different ~ to challenge the timing ~ to have some well-deserved fun!
So why do we need Cha Cha?
Well, firstly, Cha Cha Cha is super cool! It is directly related to Salsa through its underlying percussion rhythms. (If you learn to play congas, you’ll play the same 2 bar section for Salsa as for Cha Cha – only a bit faster.) Because the percussion is the same, the movement and the underlying feel of the two dances are very similar. (You have probably even used little ‘cha-cha’s in your mambo shines!)
Cha Cha makes you think about timing! The bar is longer and if you rush through it you’ll find yourself popping out on the wrong count wondering why your partner has a funny look on their face. Listen to the music – on the dance floor it’s your Bible.
Cha Cha makes you think about footwork! If you watch experienced dancers groove to Cha Cha socially you’ll see that they use a lot of footwork interspersed with simple partnerwork. The reason is that the melody, percussion and speed of Cha Cha lends itself to funky footwork and body movement. Partnerwork is still there, but it’s almost a way of physically reconnecting for a moment before diving in to explore the music again. The interaction happens with the dancers acknowledging each other as they move through their steps. Think disco for an analogy – music is super cool, you want to groove, and your partner is right there with you 😉
Cha Cha makes you think about musicality! We have MORE TIME in Cha Cha! Yes, there are those little ‘cha-cha-cha’ steps in the middle, but you don’t always have to use them. When Salsa is fast and demanding, Cha Cha is way more chilled. It allows dancers to use the stylistic elements of Salsa but extra time at their disposal. Body wave? Sure! Some boogaloo? Yes please!!
If you’d like to explore Cha Cha Cha, you can join Mambo Frenzy classes for the next 5 weeks, where the class will be starting every week with a bit of Cha Cha shine, followed by Mambo partnerwork.