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How Does One Dance Cha Cha?
BEGINNERS
• ... can master the rhythm and easy Cha Cha figures from Lesson 7 of the Walk In, Dance Out series to enjoy in social dance situations.
• Round dancing provides sequential lessons with opportunities for learning new figures and dance routines (see resources below) in a non-competitive, friendly atmosphere with abundant floor time for practice (this 30-second video, after the ad, explains round dancing). Find an Instructor near you or gather some friends and persuade a round dancer/instructor to teach you!
• Written material and videos are listed at the bottom of this page and at the bottom of the figures chart).
DANCERS WITH SOME EXPERIENCE
•...should consider joining the International Choreographed Ballroom Dance Association (ICBDA) and attending their annual convention where one hall is devoted to newer dancers.
• The Links below also provide abundant information!
| Cha Cha Figures and Sources for How to Dance Them: | |
| • List of Roundalab figures to monitor your progress • Find helpful resoures |
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| The Character of Cha Cha (Revised 2-7-2026) | |
• Timing, characteristics, history Evolution of Cha Cha - Watch the following videos to realize dance changes over time!
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| A Teaching Sequence | |
We have three routines to "Another Saturday Night." Each has three 8-measure parts begining/ending facing the Wall which are repeated 2 or 3 times for much practice which can assist dancers refine their dancing gradually. • Phase 5 version (cue sheet - revised 2-14-2026) includes most of version 4 with a new Introduction/Interlude and a second unphased figure ("Man Back to Aida with Quick-Rock to Face") in Part B. • Phase 6 version (cue sheet - revised 2-14-2026) repeats version 5 with a replacement of Part A containing a third unphased figure ("Lunge-Rock & Vine to Banjo; Advanced Hip Twist to Quick Rock & Pullback") and several Hip Twists. This very fun dance is the original version with changes in cues and directions!
Further information (currently being revised) is contained in the documents Until these documents are posted, there is information here: |
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| Latin/Rhythm Figures Chart | |
| • Identifies similar figures to assist transferring knowledge to other rhythms • Includes synonymous ballroom names |
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Links to Other Round Dance Resources
* Fancy Figures: Phase III Latins, pp. 13-62 provides written material and footprints free to all ICBDA members (on right-hand menu of member home page find “How to Dance” and select “Beginning Manuals”) which is useful for new dancers.
• A video catalog is a data base with links to many Cha Cha routines being danced (select “Cha” at the bottom of the spreadsheet). Then select a dance title to see the video on YouTube. The corresponding cuesheet is available by selecting “CS” on the same line. The green 3 indicates the easiest dances; scroll down to find more dances.
• An Index of Rounds provides ready access to cue sheets for hundreds of Cha Cha routines. In the “Rhythm” window type “cha” and the list appears. Select a specific cue sheet to print it out. The latest dances submitted are listed at the top of the list. One can limit the search (for example select “3” in the Phase column or choose a favorite choreographer). As soon as a selection has been made, the appropriate results appear.
• Clinic Notes from ICBDA Conventions featuring Cha Cha and Latin/Rhythm.
• Curt and Tammy Worlock have a Bootcamp describing Cha Cha figures in round dancing,
• Cue Sheet Writing Guidelines, from Roundalab, provides information about how to read cue sheets.
• Roundalab also has a list of Abbreviations used in cuesheets and sells subscriptions to their manuals.
• Sears' Website (> Round Dance Manual and > Articles) has information about how to dance this rhythm.