cha-cha

"He does a mean cha-cha-cha, so watch out for him later."
- from the Godfather II.

The cha-cha is a Latin-American dance that uses the Rumba motion in most of the steps. The count is 1,2,3,4-and. Patterns include: the conversation back-break, the open break, and the crossover break.

The cha-cha is a tourista dance that's used in North America but not in Latin America where the salsa and meringue are preferred. It's a rhythm dance, a.k.a. box step - it stays in one place rather than following Line of Dance around the floor.

Basically a chassé step back and forth with a rock step on either end (back when leading right, forward when leading left). But the many attractive variations make it a fun social dance.

So named from the sound of maracás in the music.