Cha Cha Cha New York
The Cha Cha New York is a Newcomer Level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the different variation of the dance steps,
including timing, footwork, alignment, and movement; a
list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos
providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and
practice routines that include it.
Leader
| Step |
Timing |
Movement
|
Turn |
Notes |
1
|
2
|
LF fwd in LSP |
1/8 to R
|
This is New York to the Left Side Position.
Preceding step finish in Counter Open PP position, L to R hand hold.
End of preceding step on '&', turn 1/8 to R.
Increase tone in connecting arm and keep it with body when turning (over 1-5)
|
2
|
3
|
Transfer weight to RF |
|
Breakdown to "3&", on "&", frame starts turning to L to face partner
|
3 4 5
|
4 & 1
|
LF to side to chasse LRL, End in Open PP
|
3/8 to L over 3-5 |
Take required hold at end of depending. Here's it's continuing with New York to Right Side Position.
|
1
|
2
|
RF fwd in RSP
|
1/8 to L
|
See note in step #1.
|
2
|
3
|
Transfer weight to LF
|
|
|
3 4 5
|
4 & 1
|
RF to side, chasse RLR. End in Open CPP
|
3/8 to R over 3-5
|
Take required hold
|
Follower
| Step |
Timing |
Movement
|
Turn |
Notes |
1
|
2
|
RF fwd in LSP |
1/8 to L
|
This is New York to the Left Side Position (Lady on Man's Left).
End of preceding step on '&', collect body, connect with Man, tone in the connection, Man feels some resistance, after fully transferred weight, turn shoulder/body first, then swivel on LF, then strike RF fwd, immediately into check. (Do not use arm to help the turn. Use hip to turn.)
"2": Place RF forward, foot turned out, don't transfer spine more forward, 50-50% weight split (whenever followed by a check step, it's always split weight.) Hip turns 1/8 extra than feet, frame (upper body) turn as much as possible to L (isolated from hip)
Powerful look: squeeze R side, R hip up high, R shoulder slightly down (result of compressing R side), matching with Man. Do not break spine. everything rotating around spine. Left side opens and rotates to back more. Arm matching Man's.
"&": check step to change direction.
(Or, a different option: quick check action all happens on "2")
Arm should be on same plane as body. During the turn, arm line slowly going up, ideally ending with L hand behind head, arm 45 degrees up. Lady: break at wrist (think of showing off your ring), can do one wrist circle before ending pose. Hand at eye level.
|
2
|
3
|
Transfer weight to LF |
|
"3&", on "&", frame starts turning to face partner.
Make sure RF doesn't do rondes.
|
3 4 5
|
4 & 1
|
RF to side to chasse RLR, End in Open PP
|
3/8 to R over 3-5 |
|
1
|
2
|
LF fwd in RSP
|
1/8 to R
|
Continuing to New York to the Right Side Position.
|
2
|
3
|
Transfer weight to RF
|
|
|
3 4 5
|
4 & 1
|
LF to side, chasse LRL. End in Open CPP
|
3/8 to L over 3-5
|
Take required hold
|
- Check step: switching from forward movement to back.
- Standard check: on "&", more difficult to do. Correct execution shows better control.
- Syncopated check: immediately as stepping on "2".
- Last step 5: can turn extra to end in RSP (or LSP) and continue with 4-9 of Three Cha Cha Chas fwd.
- New York can also be danced from Three Cha Cha Chas fwd (in either LSP or RSP), in which case no turn on step 1 of New York.
- When followed by Hand to Hand, the turning is at the end of "4&1&", sharp turn.
Connecting Figures for New York LSP
Connecting Figures for New York RSP
Videos
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