Alemana

Cha Cha Cha Alemana

The Cha Cha Alemana is a Bronze 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.

Commencing positions:

  • Normally, in Fan Position

  • May also be commenced in Open Position: Lady step back on step 1 instead of closing RF to LF, and makes a complete turn to R over 6-10.

Leader

  • 2: LF fwd | No turn

  • 3: Transfer weight to RF

  • 4 & 1: Compact Chasse LRL

  • 2: RF back

    • Man raises his L arm, table through elbow while Lady turns.

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF

  • 4 & 1: Compact Chasse RLR End in Closed Position

Follower

  • 2: Closed RF to LF | No turn

    • Start from Fan Position. (In Open position, dance this step as back step.)

    • Fast knee switch. Compress R side. L knee drapes over the R knee.

  • 3: LF fwd

  • 4 & 1: Fwd Lock RLR | 1/8 to R between Count & 1

    • Man's LH position may give hint to Lady whether it's going to be Hockey Stick or Alemana.

    • For Alemana: Lady's R hand/arm comes up and then opens out to right side.

    • On count "&" after 1: Do a sharp turn to R to Man's L side. LF in Latin Cross Position. Upper body opposition. Directly go into split weight.

  • 2 3 4&1:Two fwd steps and a fwd lock under raised arms LRLRL End in Closed Position | 1 and 1/8 to R over 6 to 10

    • Lady may use Extended Forward Walk on 6. This is a 3-point turn.

    • count "2": Lady steps LF diagonally to Man's L side. 1/8 turn to R. When prepping leg to go diagonal, head looks along the diagonal line (not at Man), that's the spotting direction. Keep head, turn shoulder first, then head last and do half turn.

      • (Arms: start straight out to side, when turning under Man's arm, L arm will come in to turn, then immediately straight out at end of "2&".)

    • Count "3": RF brushes LF (for fast music, no time to brush, Forward Walk Turn go directly onto the foot, compact), 1/2 turn. L arm out. It's important to really get on to RF immediately. (Settle R hip right away before stepping LF on next step.)

      • On last half "&", continue to twist and turn upper body o R (but spine should continue to transfer to whole and front of foot) , then fast LF action to follow, do not place LF next to RF and pause, LF should directly place where it needs to go (chasse or lock depending on finishing position.)

    • count "4&1": Finishing to Man's R side: small step, but need to move hips, arms be quiet (arms is connected with Man).Do not put LH back on Man's shoulder too quick, wait till end of "1&" turning.

    • When following Closed Hip Twist, this lock step fwd passes Man.

      • continue small lock step forward (work hips), first build tone/pressure/energy with Man in body and arms, before 1/2 turn in Hip Twist.

      • After 1/2 turn, body weight still fwd, suck belly, create nice straight line with R leg.

    • How to tell if it's going to be a side chasse or forward lock for "4&1":

      • At the end of "3&": weight is on RF, do not anticipate what Man will do, also do not turn and hold LF next to RF and then step to next step.

      • What Lady should do is: slight delay to read the lead, upper body start turning to R first, LF stays on floor as long as it can. Use Flexible Turns (where upper body goes first and delay lower half).

Note:

  • Finishing positions:

    • Man and Lady end to side

    • Man and Lady end diagonally fwd in Open CPP

      • Man 1/8 to R on step 8 arresting Lady's turn with L hand. Lady 1 1/8 R over 5-8

    • Lady end fwd toward Man's R side

      • Man turns body slightly R on step 8 to lead Lady towards his R side.

      • Lady LF fwd in line with RF into fwd Lock

      • Man LF slightly leftwards on 7.

    • Man and Lady fwd toward partner's R side

      • Man RF fwd in line with LF on 8, into fwd Lock towards Lady's R side. Lead, placement of LF on 7 and Lady's steps as position 3.

      • Man may make up to 1/4 R over 8-10, adjusting Lady's turn accordingly.

  • Gold: Alemana may be danced with R to R hand hold.

    • Precede with Hockey Stick or any figure ending in Open Position.

    • Man changing Lady's R hand into his R hand on last step and release hold with L hand.

    • Lady makes a complete turn R on Alemana.

    • Follow with the Advanced Hip Twist, Man changing Lady's R hand into his L hand, releasing hold with R hand on 7.

Preceding Figures

  1. Advanced Hip Twist

  2. Aida

  3. Chase

  4. Closed Hip Twist

  5. Cross Basic

  6. Curl

  7. Fan

  8. Follow My Leader

  9. Hockey Stick

  10. Open Basic Movement

  11. Open Hip Twist

  12. Opening Out From Reverse Top

  13. Shoulder To Shoulder Left Side

  14. Spiral

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

  16. Sweetheart

  17. Three Cha Cha Chas Back

  18. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward

  19. Time Step RF

  20. Turkish Towel

Following Figures

  1. Shoulder To Shoulder Left Side (Man turning 1/8 to R on last step)

  2. Closed Basic Movement

  3. Open Basic Movement

  4. There And Back

  5. Fan

  6. Hand To Hand RSP (when Man and Lady ending to side)

  7. Side Step To Left commenced with LF (when Man and Lady ending to side)

  8. Side Step To Right commenced with LF (when Man and Lady ending to side)

  9. Time Step LF (when Man and Lady ending to side)

  10. Cross Basic (when Man and Lady ending to side)

  11. New York LSP (when Man and Lady ending diagonally fwd in Open CPP)

  12. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L) (when Man and Lady ending diagonally fwd in Open CPP)

  13. Underarm Turn to L (when Man and Lady ending diagonally fwd in Open CPP)

  14. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward (4-9, LSP, when Man and Lady ending diagonally fwd in Open CPP)

  15. Cuban Break LF (when Man and Lady ending diagonally fwd in Open CPP)

  16. Split Cuban Break LF (when Man and Lady ending diagonally fwd in Open CPP)

  17. Natural Opening Out Movement (when Lady ending fwd towards Man's R side)

  18. Closed Hip Twist (when Lady ending fwd towards Man's R side)

  19. Spiral (when Lady ending fwd towards Man's R side)

  20. Rope Spinning (when Lady ending fwd towards Man's R side)

  21. Advanced Hip Twist (when Man and Lady ending fwd towards partner's R side)

  22. Hip Twist Spiral (when Man and Lady ending fwd towards partner's R side)