Aida

Cha Cha Cha Aida

Cha Cha Aida is a Silver Level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, and movement, technique; 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

  • 2: RF back | 1/8 to R

    • When following Curl or Spiral, Man's steps are the same.

    • Increase tone in L arm. Lower L arm, and start rotating. Release R hand hold.

  • 3: LF back to LSP | 1/8 to R

    • Slightly lower left arm and turn it with body over 2-5

  • 4 & 1: Back Lock in LSP, RLR | No turn

    • Opening up the arms.

Follower

  • 2: LF back | 1/8 to L

    • Keep arm at waist level, don't raise arm high.

    • When following Curl or Spiral, Man's steps are the same. Lady does:

      • 2: LF fwd

      • 3: RF fwd in line with LF to end RF back in LSP (turn 1/2 to L)

  • 3: RF back to LSP | 1/8 to L

  • 4 & 1: Back lock in LSP, LRL | No turn

Aida Rock and Spot Turn Ending

Leader

  • 2: Transfer weight fwd to LF in LSP

  • 3: Transfer weight back to RF in LSP

  • 4 & 1: LF fwd, small step, in LSP to lock chasse fwd LRL

    • At the end of beat, turn 1/2 to L

  • 2 3 4& 1: RF fwd and slightly across (having turned 1/2 at end of previous beat) into a Spot Turn or Switch Turn to L, completing total 1 1/4 turn. 1 1/4 turn to L total

Follower

    • 2: Transfer weight fwd to RF in LSP

      • Rock: showing off hip rotation, keep where body/spine is, not moving body fwd to front foot

      • Hip does figure 8

    • 3: Transfer weight back to LF in LSP

    • 4 & 1: RF fwd, small step, in LSP to lock chasse fwd RLR

      • At end of beat turn sharply 1/2 to R. (turning shoulder first. needs to be more compact and fast)

      • The chasse can be replaced with rocks as well.

    • 2 3 4& 1: LF fwd and slightly across (having turned 1/2 at end of previous beat) into a Spot Turn or Switch Turn to R, completing total of 1 1/4 turn. Total 1 1/4 turn to R

Aida Switch an Underarm Turn to Right Ending

Leader

  • 2: LF to side, having turn 1/4 to L to face partner at end of previous beat | 1/4 to L

  • 3: Transfer weight to RF

  • 4 & 1: Compact chasse LRL

  • 2 3 4& 1: Underarm Turn to R (R L RLR)

Follower

  • 2: RF to side, having turned 1/4 to R to face partner at end of previous beat | 1/4 to R

    • Two feet apart, L knee bent, weight on RF, R leg straight.

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF

    • Two feet apart, R kneed bent, weight on LF, L leg straight.

  • 4 & 1: Compact chasse RLR

    • 4: Transfer weight to RF

    • &: LF closes to RF

    • 1: RF to side

  • 2 3 4& 1: Underarm Turn to R (L R LRL), full turn

Preceding Figures

  1. Hand To Hand RSP

  2. Reverse Top

  3. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L)

  4. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward

  5. Underarm Turn to L

Following Figures

  1. Time Step LF

  2. Closed Basic Movement

  3. Open Basic Movement (normal; or when ended in Open Position; or when ended in Open Position, follow with step 1-2 of Open Basic into Three Cha Cha Chas Back; or when ended in Open Position, follow with step 1-5 of Open Basic into Natural Top)

  4. New York LSP

  5. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L)

  6. Underarm Turn To R

  7. Hand To Hand RSP

  8. Side Step To Left commenced with LF

  9. Side Step To Right commenced with LF

  10. There And Back

  11. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward (4-9, in LSP)

  12. Fan

  13. Cross Basic

  14. Cuban Break LF

  15. Split Cuban Break LF

  16. Alemana (when ended in Open Position)

  17. Open Hip Twist (when ended in Open Position)

  18. Curl (when ended in Open Position)

  19. Chase (when ended in Open Position)

  20. Turkish Towel (when ended in Open Position)

  21. Sweetheart (when ended in Open Position)

  22. Follow My Leader (when ended in Open Position)