Cha Cha Cha
The Cha Cha Cha is one of the newest Latin American dances in international competition.
But it is still seen as a “party dance”, being played in most of the Latin Music Clubs. It has got a cheeky nature and playful rhythm that can be easily picked up by anyone. The Cha Cha rhythms can be easily identified in some popular songs such as: “Get this party started” –Pink, “Unchain my heart” Joe Cocker, “Represent Cuba” – Orisha
The Cha Cha Cha originated in Cuba, and is based on the syncopated rhythms of West Africa. The steps are a fusion of the Mambo and Rumba, with a more relaxed, free-style format. Like many Latin dances, the Cha Cha developed through the cultural intermingling of Spanish colonists, African slaves and Cuban natives, all sharing their love of music and dance.
What differentiates the cha cha from other music written with four beats to the bar is that there is a little rhythmic triplet joining each bar to the next.
The cha cha does not move around the room, so small steps should be taken.
The"Cha Cha" is danced currently at about 44 beats per minute. The steps are taken on the beats, with a strong hip movement as the knee straightens on the half beats in between. The weight is kept well forward, with forward steps taken toe-flat, and with minimal torso movement. The chasse on 4&1 is used to emphasize the step on beat 1, which may be held a moment longer than the other steps to match the emphasis of the beat in the music.
Salsa
Salsa is a blended street style dance that originates from Cuba and spread to many other parts of South America forming different styles. Salsa is danced in many countries and evolved from the more traditional South American folkloric styles unique to regions and fused movements from afro-cuban influenced music and movements borrowed from the root dance styles such as merengue and cumbia. All different regions add their own flavours of the dance and their own unique flare. There are many styles of Salsa, such as the LA Style, NY Style, Cuban and Casino Rueda. Salsa music is rich in percussion and suave beats that make dancing to this style lively, exciting and fun.
Bachata
Bachata is a dance from the Dominican Republic; the dance has very simple beats and a signature hip movement. Bachata is sometimes seen as one of the very intimately close danceswhich is literally danced hip to hip.
Merengue
is a simple and fun latino dance which also originates from the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Meregue dance is based on a two step march danced in 2/4. There are a few stories related to the origins of merengue. The first is about how the slaves were shackled by their feet and danced while they cut sugar cane. The second was about a limping war hero who was mimicked by the villagers on his return out of respect. The final story is about how the slaves tried to copy the European colonial powers and made it into their own version of a fun dance.
Samba
TThere are two main types of Samba, Brazillian samba, and Ballroom Samba. Brazillian samba is very fast and is usually danced solo (Sambano pe) The quick movement of the feet transfer into the hips giving thedance the characteristic shake. The women usually adorn their heads with feathers and dance to a band of percussive instruments all following a lead percussionist. Batucada music is a rich samba music which involves many types of drums all playing the samba rhythms whilst the women are flushed out by the music. Ballroom Samba is a lot more in line with competition standards and is a totally different dance. Ballroom samba is a travelling dance so it progresses around the dance floor.
Jive
Jive is a formalised version of rock and roll dancing. It is essentially a swing type dance whereby the hip swings from side to side and the weight changes resemble a type of skipping and hopping. Swing dances come from the 1930's to the 1940's.
Waltz
Waltz is a European dance which is danced to a 3/4 timing. The dance focuses on the rise and fall of the ankles and a posture to support the balance and compliment each dancer. In the Waltz, dancers may progress quite fast on the ballroom floor, so the dance is usually danced progressively anti-clockwise to continually make room for other dancers. It also requires a understanding of floorcraft and trajectoryto avoid collisions an have a beautiful dance. There are two main types of waltz, the Viennese waltz and the slow waltz.
Rumba
Rumba is a sensual dance which resembles the Cha Cha, however the focus is on slow emphasized movements followed by sharp and precise technique. The main focus is on presenting. Rumba covers a lot of traditional dances and rhythmic styles that it is hard to define what really constitutes it.
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