Couples Dance Class, The Cha-Cha

The Class….. Unfortunately, there are no magical methods or shortcuts to learning to dance. It takes time, patience, and practice. Taking dance lessons will typically help to simplify the learning process and shorten the time factor, but you will need to be patient until your dance switch flips to “ON.” To help you with practice, free sessions are held before each class with the instructor present to get you over any bumps.

Still undecided…. Then come experience the path to dance through one of the Workshops where for a two-hour investment of time you get first-hand experience. Workshops are offered at no cost….. So liked, disliked or the experience is just not something you want to take on at that time….. No worries, because there is absolutely no expectation of further obligation. Workshops are scheduled just before the start of each course with the time and date listed in the course descriptions below. Attendance is easy, just show up.

For Best Results….. If this is your first introduction or you have limited experience dancing as a couple please consider attending the Workshop that is included with the class to give you a head start. In any case, regardless of which class you are contemplating please consider attending the Hustle Workshop because the basics of the dance are the easiest to learn.

Logistics….. Each dance is taught as a separate course. There are 8 classes per course all 1 ½ hours in duration. The cost is $25 per person for each course. At just over $3 per class a real bargain considering the time spent with your significant other and the lifetime of enjoyment, you will get on the dance floor. Registration for the class typically takes place during the week prior to the Workshop. You can do it online, or by phone, or in person via the BOPARC Administration Office.

Couple More Things….. Consider giving the classes as a gift or make “date night” out of them. Please dress casually because you will get warm dancing (even the Waltz). Also, be sure to wear comfortable shoes because you will be on your feet (and hopefully not your partner’s) for most if not all of the class.

The Cha-Cha

Workshop: Saturday, January 8 from 6 pm to 8 pm

Class: January 11, 18, 25

February 1, 8, 15, 22

March 1

Class Time: 6 pm to 7:30 pm

The Cha-Cha rhythm is incorporated into a large percentage of American music including the big band to the country to rock to pop to hip hop. Therefore, whether you’re out on the town or at a social event there will be plenty of opportunities for you to dance the Cha-Cha.

The classical Cha-Cha is derived from a blend of several dances including the Rumba and Mambo with a touch of the American Swing. Like most Latin dances, Cha-Cha Steps are taken with feet remaining close to the floor. The dancers’ hips are relaxed to allow free movement in the pelvic region with the upper body shifting over the supporting foot as steps are taken. You are free to move a little or a lot depending on your preferred style.

Because classical Cha-Cha steps can be difficult to perform even for seasoned dancers, we teach a softened version of the classical steps so that you (that is us social dancers) won’t dislocate a hip trying to mimic the movements of the professionals. In a nutshell, we will teach the Honkytonk Cha-Cha. Fun and easy to learn, but hard to explain. So the short story is that the course material will focus on the basic sequences done to slower music. Then, once dancers become comfortable we take you through a few dozen easy-to-master amalgamations of movements. Thus, making this a versatile version of the Cha-Cha that will keep you dancing for years to come.

Marilla Recreation Center
East Brockway Avenue, Morgantown, WV, USA