Cha-Cha-Cha is the newcomer of the Latin American dances.

This dance was first seen in the dance-halls of America, in the early fifties, following closely Mambo, from which it was developed.

Shortly after the Mambo was introduced, another rhythm started to gain popularity, a rhythm that was ultimately to become the most commonly known of the Latin American dances throughout the world. It was named Cha-Cha-Cha.

The music is slower than Mambo and the rhythm is less complicated.

The interpretation of Cha-Cha-Cha music should produce a happy, carefree, cheeky, party-time-like atmosphere.

Recently it was decided to shorten the name to Cha-Cha.

The dance developed from a Cuban Rumba step, The Cha Cha.

When the English dance teacher Pierre Lavelle visited Cuba in 1952, he realised that sometimes the Rumba was danced with extra beats.

When he returned to Britain, he started teaching these steps as a separate dance.