In 1948, Cuban musician Enrique Jorrin combined two Cuban dances, -the 'Danzon' and the 'Montuno'- and gave birth to the Cha Cha Cha. This catchy rhythm, equally at home in both small combos and big bands, quickly became a favorite of dancers, because they could so easily relate to it's vibrant and playful effervescence.

This dance just uses a small area of the dance floor. The dancers do not move around the room.

Here are some Cha Cha tunes for your practice sessions.
Listen to:
"Tea For Two", a foxtrot standard, but here in wonderful Cha Cha rhythm.
"Espinito"
"Popurri de Cha Chas"
"Me Voy P' La Pueblo"

First, a video showing both the Men's and Women's Basic Cha Cha step, the Basic Cha Cha rhythm, and several versions of the basic Cha Cha step.
  VIDEO: "Cha Cha Basic Steps"   (Film Clip: l2dadmin ): The International Cha-Cha Basic Step 1. This is step 1 of the Cha-Cha Basic if you can learn this step you can dance the Cha-Cha tonight at a party or night club.

Corky Ballas narrator and former World Champion together with, Slavik Kryklyvvy and Dancing With The Stars Karina Smirnoff show and teach us the Cha-Cha Basic Step 1. Slavik and Karina are known for being the World's best latin dancers. A private lesson with Corky, Slavik and Karina, is valued at over $500.00 per hour, hear at Learning2dance.com we bring you the BEST for under $10.00, so how can you go wrong? You can't! Please go visit us to Learn more steps of the Cha Cha Cha at Learning2Dance.com

This Video shows how the Closed Basic Cha Cha can be danced in various ways.
1. Open Position
2. Solo Position
3. Right to Right Position
4. Dance using Guapacha timing, so watch the worlds best do it, then you do it and become a great dancer at the punch of a button.
The also show us the closed, danced in Open Position

Here's The LEAD's Steps. (illustrated).

 
NOTE: Take small steps. Many dancers like to start in time with the
music by taking a preparatory side step on beat One of the music, then
continue as shown here. (The man does this with his right foot, the lady
with her left.)

The LEAD'S Steps
1. Left foot forward --- Two
2. Right foot in place, weight shifts to it --- Three
3. Left foot to side --- Four
4. Right foot closes to left foot --- And
5. Left foot - small step to side --- One
6. Right foot back --- Two
7. Left foot in place, weight shifts to it --- Three
8. Right foot to side --- Four
9. Left foot closes to right foot --- And
10. Right foot small step to side --- One

The FOLLOW'S Steps
(See note above in the Lead's steps.)
1. Right foot back --- Two
2. Left foot in place, weight shifts to it --- Three
3. Right foot to side --- Four
4. Left foot closes to Right foot --- And
5. Right foot - small step to side --- One
6. Left foot back --- Two
7. Right foot in place, weight shifts to it --- Three
8. Left foot to side --- Four
9. Right foot closes to left foot --- And
10. Left foot small step to side --- One

REMEMBER
This is a 'Rhythm' Dance and the steps are shown with the "Beat" numbers.

The 'Basic' Steps should be practiced until both partners are comfortable and can execute the pattern easily and without any stress. The picture on the left shows the basic Cha Cha step for the Man, or "Lead". The Lady, or "Follow", executes the sames steps backwards (diagram just below the 'lead' above), starting on her Right foot.

Partners will be using the 'Closed Hold' - standing about 30CM or 1 foot apart. The Cha Cha is a "Rhythm" dance, and will be danced in a square space. It doesn't progress along the "Line of Dance" taken by the 'Smooth' dances. The steps should be small and precise. Movement should be subtle but deliberate. The whole dance should be elegant, rather than aggressive.

For a simple variation, the Lead can make small -1/8 Turns - on the 2nd and the 7th steps. The sequence is Amalgamated by returning to step one from step 10.

Advanced:
By and by, you'll want to find a Dance Club or Studio and investigate all the wonderful Cha Cha steps including The Fan, The Hockey Stick, Cha Cha Chasse (forward and backwards), The Peek-a-Boo, The Zig Zag, The Turkish Towel, The Alemana Turn, and a bunch of New Yorks that includes the Ronde, Party Popper, and Overspill.