The name "cha-cha" first appeared in Haiti where it was the name of a component of a bell. This bell was made from a plant whose seeds are used to make an instrument used in voodoo called a "cha-cha". In 1954, Enrique Jorrin, a Cuban violinist invented the latin dance Cha-Cha in Cuba from African and Cuban rhythms that melt into a latin beat with a characteristic "one-two-three, chachaCHA!" counting that made it famous. When a cuban orchestra named "America" played the music with a syncopated beat, Cuban dancers picked it up and added a side step and voilą: "cha-cha action" was born. Cha-Cha-Cha  came to the United States in 1954 and has since then become one  of the most beloved and popular latin dances.

   Cha-Cha Music Soundbite   View Cha Cha dancing
           (Basic Cha-Cha-Cha / 5 beats to one measure)

LADY's Part - beginning with right foot:
* 2 side steps to the right / left foot forward / back-break with right foot
- with left foot, 1 step to left side / close with right foot
- with left foot, 1 more step to left side again
- right foot backward / back-break with right foot
repeat from * for continuous movement.

GENTLEMAN's Part - beginning with left foot:
* 2 side steps to the left / right foot forward / back-break with left foot
- with right foot, 1 step to right side / close with left foot
- with right foot, 1 more step to right side again
- left foot backward / back-break with left foot
repeat from * for continuous movement.
Dance this measure in face-to-face partner position and/or apart
repeating this basic step pattern for continuous Cha-Cha-Cha dancing.