Cha Workshop

taught by John Gotts

 

This workshop will introduce you to a few common international cha-cha figures, styling & counts.

 

1. It's all about the legs... (except for cowboys and rednecks) -- Int'l w/ straight legs, vs softer w/ bent knees American)

2. Each figure starts on a "lead foot", or "trailing foot". Officially the first step of a lead foot figure starts on count 2 of the music.

3. Cha is not a slot dance. The middle part of the "closed basic" moves sideways.

4. Putting it all together in a "basic" (which may be done in closed or open position).

5. Moving sideways in the "basic" leads naturally into New Yorkers, Shoulder-to-Shoulders, Underarm Turn, Spot Turn, Hand-to-Hand, ...

6. We can stay in the slot with Runs and Chases 

7. To change walls we can use "Turning Basic" or (American Rhythm cha) "Cross Body Lead"

 

Basic Cha Cha Top 10 Steps (International cha figures with Latin knee/hip action...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5_s1OUizfQ

 

Workshop Figure Step Descriptions (handout)

https://bit.ly/4sO0drX

 

Good music to hear the beat for starting on count 2 of the music:

  • "El Misimo Sol" by Alvaro Soler
  • "Neon Moon" by Brooks & Dunn
  • "Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha" by James Taylor
  • "Almost Jamaica" by Bellamy Brothers

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American Cha Cha basics (To see the differences between International & American)

https://youtu.be/bhABoK0bjLI

American Cha Cross Body Lead demo

https://youtube.com/shorts/3V_bHoi_BPE?si=tQUjcl88y1eAvIlm

Cha hip action is controlled in the feet and leg movements. 

https;//docs.google.com/document/d/1PmVcYzw8ehj1MjcXdSxhLaDTYwUclCW4RqsEaC4lK-c/edit?usp=sharing

American vs Int'l differences in leg movements

https://youtu.be/HRj6YnLHOf0

International Cha Figures (Demonstrated)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0ocmfIDleo

 

  • Note American Cha's "basic" has the leader stepping to the left, starting from the mid-point of a left chasse. Left,back,recover,chasse-right, counted 1,2,3,4&1. That puts the couple with their weight on their trailing feet, and ready to take the first step of a figure on count 2 of the music with their lead feet. This is intentionally starting with what is essentially a "back half basic" in International Cha. International cha uses the "closed basic" directly as a common starter step, beginning with weight on the trailing foot, and the leader listening to the music to take their first figure step on count 2 of the music, stepping forward toward their partner. 
  •  Note "runs" in International cha are similar to our LCV "basic"
  •  Note "New Yorker" in Int'l. is called "crossover break" in American Cha

 

International Cha Figures (As explained to squaredancers):

https://www.rounddancing.net/dance/figures/cha.html