PATTERNS AND ROUTINES FOR AMERICAN CHA CHA -Copyright, Jonathan Tyrone Rowell, 2003 30 mpm Notes: 1) Frequently, American Cha Cha rhythm is presented as " 1 2 3 4&". Despite this, all breaking action still occurs on the two-beat. All information below assumes the International-style grouping " 2 3 4&1". 2) It is recommended that when presenting American style Cha Cha, use the first "1" as a prep step rather than as a part of the group of steps. 3) Cha Cha is about flirting, the guy showing off and the girl teasing. Bronze 1) Basic - normal basic with chasses to side; its useful for transitioning and learning, but you don't want to have too many consecutive in a routine 1b) Fwd and Back Basic - either back and fwd chasses or locks 2) Passing Basic - ?? 3) Promenade Break - aka 5th position breaks, aka Hand to Hand; LF toe to R heel, turning to RSP, RF opposite to LSP. This move makes a good break for the American-style Back Spot Turn and the Paseo. Combines with Cross-over breaks to make the Butterfly amalgamation. Noted in routines with R/L as per side position not the breaking foot. 4) Open Break - LF back rock for man, RF back rock for woman, followed by side chasse, typically used as entrance to another figure such as Back Spot 5) Outside breaks fwd - aka Parallel Breaks, aka Shoulder to Shoulder; man steps outside partner with either L or R foot fwd, can be in closed or double hold 5b) Outside Breaks back - as above but woman fwd outside partner 6) Cross-Over Break - aka New York(er); couple steps through partnership into LSP or RSP. At the bronze level, this is perhaps the flashiest move available in the sense of creating a strong power line, but typically it is over-used. Often combined with Prom Breaks to form Butterfly amalgamation. 6b) Butterfly - amalgamation of Cross-Over - Prom Break - Cross-Over Break so that couple is always opening to LSP or RSP over the three measures 7) Switch Turn - aka spot turns, may be taken either to left or right as a cross over break with a full rotation (both toes fixed) - don't spin wildly on break foot, and don't make it a jerky Alemana-knock-off either 7b) Right UAT - switch turn to R for Lady being lead by man with L2R hold, man may break back, fallaway style, or to the side 7c) Left UAT - switch to L for Lady, still with L2R hold, man may need to break diag fwd and across 7d) UAT Right-Left-Right - amalgamation pattern that once was listed as its own move. keep L2R hold throughout. Variation: I like to use a double hold when doing this, it puts the woman in a hammerlock position on the first turn, then walk her (side or fwd) 4&1, unwrap on second turn, releasing R2L, and finish with normal turn 8) Cross Body Lead - Take the Closed Basic, when RF back rock rotate 1/2L. Variation, on first measure end in PP, woman will break outside man with LF during rotation. This move can look sharp, and is useful for presenting your number to judges opposite you. At more advanced levels, a turn L may be included for the woman after the initial rotation. Also back measure may be taken as an Open Basic 8b) Left Side Pass - This is actually the Cross Body Lead in disguise, thus I list it as a sub-move. Only difference is use only a L2R hold. It is used in conjunction with a LF cross over break (RF for W). The lead is a strong J-hook 8c) Half-moon - This is the Left side Pass with a R2R hold. this is one of the hidden treasure moves that never appear on a syllabus, but are fair game because the are only a variation of hold. On cross-over break, lay L hand on W's shoulder/back 8d) "J-turns" - need to come up with a better name, but here is a variation that I came up with recently. Get into double handshake position (e.g. with R2R, lead woman into UAT R, taking the L2L hold as she turns). When left hands are on top, lead a Half moon with underarm turn (this puts R2R on top). When R2R is on top, lead a Cross-Over Break and UAT R (puts L2L on top). 9) Half-turn Chase - from open position, do 1/2 rotation spot turns on breaks followed by fwd chasses/locks. (1/2R, 1/2L). the idea is a playful follow the leader, so the woman initiates her turn on the measure following what the man does. 9b) Cross-over Chase - ?? 9c) Full Turn Chase- aka Challenge, perform a full rotation R with a LF break, followed by a back chasse or back lock. This may be alternated with the Half-Chase. Visual lead for the follower is back of guy's head on chasse/lock for Half-Chase, and his face on the chasse/lock for Full Turn. Alternatively, both partners may choose their own patterning to "tease" one another about their willingness to follow. 9d) Double Chase Turn - As with the Full Turn Chase, but an additional turn R is achieved over the chasse 10) Right Side Pass - Bolero variation that is acceptable for Cha Cha. Open break, leading follower to turn L on the fwd chasse, last step LF side. End with a measure Side stepping to R. 11) Peek-a-boo - aka Stop and Go, identical to the Swing move of the same name 12) Single Cuddle - aka Sweetheart. For Cha Cha, identical to the Peek-a-Boo danced with a double hold. Alternative styling is to do a pinwheel walk on the 2-3 after wrapping, and unwrap on the chasse. 12a) Cuddle to Hammerlock - this advanced form of the Cuddle begins as per the alternative styling above, overturning the woman on the second chasse to end in hammerlock position. Break and hold this position while chasseing/locking backwards (fwd for W), then turning RF back break and unwrap on the fourth and final chasse. Might not be consider Bronze at all comps. 13) Double Cuddle-?? Possibly the official name for the Cuddle to Hammerlock 14) Right UAT to Advanced Hip Twist -Mambo variation. Latter part similar to the International Cha Cha Advanced Hip Twist (Gold). Perform a UAT R, taking fwd locks (both), turn the woman R in hold, while breaking LF fwd. Guy does a hook/ronde chasse turning L, then both swivel to R before dancing Scallop turns. This move may no longer be considered Bronze in the American syllabus. 15) Back Spot Turn - aka Natural Top. Some syllabi restrict the Back Spot Turn to a single measure, others allow for three measures. 16) Parallel (shadow) Breaks w/wo foot changes - may be ended with a Spiral Turn. May look like a Towel with Lady in Front, or as 5th Breaks. 17) 2 Way Underarm Turn (In and Out, Stop and Go) - Uncertain if In and Out is distinct from Stop and Go (Peek-a-boo). 18) 3 Cha Chas In open facing position - L2R hold, fwd and back only. 19) Back and Fwd Runs - identical to the International Cha Cha figure There and Back. Rarely seen either competitively or socially. 20) Paseo - as with American Rumba, this is often considered a "bronze Aida" for Rhythm. Do a Cross Over Break to RSP then, momentarily retaining double hold, start a Cross Over Break to LSP on 2, but swivel R(L) to step side on 3. Continue turning to dance back locks. Turn back for a checked side break, then fwd locks (back towards orginal position). Man walks two fwd steps RL while turning woman to her R the locks/chasse back to closed position. 21) kick swivels -ISTD 22) Check and Pop - perform 1-2 of basic and turn L away from follower. Step LF side and brace the left arm. Replace RF and collect LF. Woman does her normal RF back break, steps fwd towards man with RF, and then LF back/replace after encountering the post. She then closes RF to LF. Follow with second half of Cross Body Lead. 23) Whip with Hand Change - similar to the swing move. Open break, then chasse in place as woman approaches. RF back rock, turning R, as you take her R hand behind the small of her back, taking it in R hand. Finish with an open/diag chasse. 24) Cross over with Side Rock - Karen Trimble adaptation (used at DCDI). After cross over, side break 4-1. 25) Cross Overs with Spinning Chasse - might not be acceptable at Bronze. Perform your normal cross over break, but use the joined hand to lead woman to spin on her chasse. Guy releases hold and also spins (opposite rotation). End by catching other hand hold, prepping to take a cross-over break. Routines Master of Bronze Syllabus Routine (69m) Three Cha Chas Fwd, Whip with Hand Change, "J-turns", Cross Over LSP, UAT R, Cross Body Lead, Check and Pop to OP, Chase half turn, Chase Full Turn, Peek-a-boo, Cuddle, Cuddle to Hammerlock, Open Break, Back Spot Turn (3), 5th Position Break, UAT's RLR, Cross Over L to Paseo, 5th Break, UAT R, Butterfly L, Butterfly R, Switch RL, Basic, Outside Breaks LR, Right Side Pass, Back and Fwd Runs, Open Basic, Three Cha Chas Back, UAT R to Advanced Hip Twist, Open bk, UAT R with hand changes, Shadow Breaks 1. (4m) Basic, Open Break, UAT R 2. (6m) Basic, NY (Cross Over) LRL, UAT R 3. (6m) Basic, 5th Break RLR, UAT R 4. (6m) Basic, Outside Breaks (fwd) LRLR 5. (6m) Basic, NY L, Switch Turn LRL 6. (6m) Basic, NY L, UATs RLR 7. (10m) Basic, Butterfly L, Butterfly R, Switch Turn R, UAT R 8. (10m) Basic, Cross Body Lead, Open Break, UAT R, NY L, UAT R, NY L, UAT R 9. (10m) Basic, Cross Body Lead, Outside Breaks LRL, NY RL, UAT R 10. (10m) Basic, NY LR, Left Side Pass x2, NY L, UAT R 11. (12m) Basic, Open Break, UAT R with hand switch, Half-moon x3, NY L, UAT R 12. (20m) Basic, Open bk, UAT R with hand switch, NY L, UAT R taking double shake hold, "J-turns" x3, NY L, UAT R with hand changes 13. (12m) Basic, Open bk, UAT R, Open Basic, Half Chase, Full Chase, Open Basic 14. (10m) Open Basic, Full Chase, Half Chase x2, Left Side Pass 15. (18m) Basic, Cross Body Lead to OP, Full Chase, Double Chase, Half Chase, Full Chase, Half-moon x2, NY L, UAT R 16. (8m) Basic, Right Side Pass, NY LR, Right Side Pass 17. (8m) Basic, Peek-a-boo x2, Left Side Pass 18. (8m) Cross Body Lead, Peek-a-boo x2, Right Side Pass 19. (12m) Basic, NY L, Switch L, Single Cuddle, Shadow Breaks (LRLRL), UAT R 20. (8m) Cross Body Lead, Cuddle to Hammerlock, Left Side Pass 21. (8m) Basic, Open Break, UAT R to Advanced Hip Twist, Basic 22. (10m) Cross Body Lead, Open Break, Back Spot Turn (3), 5th Breaks RLR, UAT R 23. (6m) Basic, NY LR, Back and Fwd Runs 24. (13m) Basic, Open Break, UAT R, Three Cha Chas Back, Fwd, and Back, Back Spot Turn (1), 5th Break, UAT R 25. (10m) Basic, NY LR, NY L to Paseo, 5th Break, UAT R 26. (12m) Basic, Open Break, UAT RLR, Check and Pop, Open Break to Whip w/ hand change, Half-moon with hand change 27. (42m) Left Side Pass with Hand Change, Half-moon x3 last with hand change or spin, NY to Paseo, 5th break, UAT R, Check and Pop, Open Basic, Full Chase, Double Chase, Whip w/ Hand Change, Half-moon with hand change, Butterfly L, Butterfly R, switch RL, Open Break, Back Spot Turn (3), 5th Break, UAT RLR 38. (38m) Three Cha Chas fwd, Whip with hand change, NY L, UAT R to double handshake, "J-turns" x3, Shadow 5ths x2 (RLRL), NY L, UAT R w/ hand change, NY L to Paseo, Butterfly L, UAT R, Open Break, Back Spot Turn (3), 5th Break, UAT R 39 (48m) Basic, X-Over breaks, 5th breaks, spot turn and UAT R, X-body lead, Open break to UAT R, Butterfly L, UAT R, open break to Back Spot Turn, 5th and spot turn, NY to Paseo, Cross Body Lead, Open chase series, basic, 2 1/2 moons, cross-over to UAT Silver 1) Swivel and Cross Over - swivel is a "skating" feeling on &2&3& 4&1 (step pattern still 23 4&1) 2) Roll-away to back Drop - ?? 3) Surprise Break -?? 4) Triple Cha Cha Cha - Three Cha Chas is other directions/positions 5) Rhythm Changes A, B, C - ?? 6) Counter Zig Zag - ?? 7) Kick Breaks ?? 8) Swivels to Pull Back - ?? 9) Circle - ?? 10) Two Way Spot-NDCA - Possibly another name for Fwd and Back Spot Turns 11) UAT with Spin - after leading UAT R 2-3, post the left arm. Woman will push off (as in American Spin) to spin herself clockwise as man chasses. 12) Back Spot - in Silver, you can definitely do the Back Spot Turn for three measures. You may also include UAT to either R or L. 13) Fwd Spot - aka Reverse Top. For American Cha Cha, typically lead out of either a 5th Position Break in RSP or from steps 1-5 of the Cross Body Lead. Details as per International Reverse Top. 17) Fallaway Swivel-ISTD 18) Promenade Swivels-ISTD 21) Sailor Shuffles - done to the rhythm 4&1 2&3 4&1, they are like both partners dancing a back bota fogo without actually moving anywhere. Commonly taught as "hook-side-replace". A slight pendulum effect is typically used, with the head as the stationary fixed point. Also used in swing. 22) Paseo with Sinead Turns - advanced version of the Bronze Paseo, here man also spins (opposite rotation to Woman). 23) Chair - the chair is Fencing (Int. Rumba) done will maintaining a closed/PP frame. After 1-5 of Basic, Partners step as though doing a Cross Over to RSP without breaking hold. The breaking knee is flexed. Replace and side chasse. 24) Progressive Crosses - ?? 25) Break and Point - aka Point Snaps. Whisk or 5th break in PP (RSP), swivel to face one another while pointing LF (RF) side without weight (4). Swivel to PP keeping pointing foot in place without weight (1). May be repeated. 26) Swivels and Grapevine - ?? 27) Swivels and Pullback - ?? 28) Picture Window Step - possibly a German Window, but I've never seen one done in cha cha. 29) Cross Back Flick - ?? 30) Spin Whip with Shuffles - Using a Whip with hand change, man leads woman to end up behind him, while he foot fakes. In Tandem, they do sailor shuffles on the same foot 31) Conversation Swivels - possibly a circular hip twist swivel for cha cha (something I learned a long time ago). "Gold" 1) Syncopated Crosses - aka Cuban Breaks. Sometimes considered Silver. 2) Solo Crosses - ?? 3) Circular Challenges - ?? 4) Ronde and Hook Turn - Possibly another name for Scallop Turn which is a turn in older Mambo listings and ending to American Rhythm Advanced Hip Twist. 5) Box Breaks - ?? 6) Picture Puzzle - ?? 7) Spot Turns to Contra Check - ?? 8) Double Wrap Around - ?? 9) Back to Back - possibly a variation of the swing pattern Back to Back. 10) Locks and Crosses - ??