CHA CHA CHA MUSIC MIX goo.gl/UqYGng The Cha-Cha (originally known as the Cha-Cha-Cha) originated in Cuba in the early 1950's and refers to a style of ballroom dancing included in DanceSport categories of competition. Cha-Cha-cha can be danced in either the International Latin Style or the American Rhythm Style. This dance was derived from the Rumba and the Mambo. The Cha-Cha is danced to the music introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in the early 1950's. This rhythm was developed from the danzón-mambo. The name of the dance is an onomatopoeia derived from the shuffling sound of the dancers' feet. The Cha-Cha is danced to authentic Cuban music, although in ballroom competitions it is often danced to Latin Pop or Latin Rock. The music for the International Style Cha-Cha is energetic and has a steady beat. The Cuban Cha-Cha-Cha is more sensual and may involve complex poly-rhythms. Cha-Cha is one of the five dances of the "Latin American" program of international ballroom dance competitions. The basis of the modern dance was laid down in the 1950's by Pierre & Lavelle and developed in the 1960's by Walter Laird and other top competitors of the time. The basic steps taught to learners today are based on these accounts. In general, steps are kept compact and the dance is danced generally without any rise and fall. The modern ballroom technique of the Cha-Cha (and other ballroom dances) does undergo gradual evolution, particularly in competition dancing, but in essence is still firmly based on its Cuban origin in the 1950's.