Couples in promenade position, both facing line of dance; lady standing on the gentleman's right side; each will have heels together; his left hand will hold her left hand either in front of his left shoulder, in front of and slightly higher than his waist, or in front of the lady's left shoulder; his right arm will reach behind the lady and hold her hand in his right hand slightly to the right of her right shoulder
When couples completely form a circle around the dance floor, it is important to agree on the steps in order that the pattern be similar and safe for all dancers. Standard steps for gentleman and lady are identical-hand holds are different. Time or slipped memory has shifted this dance's starting point and changed a few steps in many clubs. Note that the starting point and several steps are different enough to change the style of the dance.
MID-90S NORTH CAROLINA CLUB VERSION
FORWARD CHA-CHA STEPS (VERY SMOOTH BUT TO SYNCOPATED RHYTHM)
1-2
Right foot step forward, left foot step forward, right foot step forward
3-4
Left foot step forward, right foot step forward, left foot step forward
5-6
Right foot step forward, left foot step forward, right foot step forward
9
Left foot step forward with ¼ turn to the right (now facing outside of floor)
BOW/CURTSY WITH ARMS EXTENDED
10
Right foot step backward (the right heel should be pointed forward toward the line of dance) and to the left behind left foot and as in a curtsy-the left knee will be slightly bent/twisted and right knee deeply bent-the right hands are held at full arm extension to the right and close to the floor-the left hands are held at full arm extension to the left and high in the air (like the wings on an airplane-form the straight line from left hand to right hand, but at a very steep angle)-bodies will almost be facing dancers behind them
11
Right foot step right ¼ turn to the left (now facing line of dance), bodies straighten up to resume promenade position
12
Left foot step backward
WALKING FULL TURN TO THE RIGHT
13
Right foot step back ¼ turn to the right (beginning full turn to the right), then drop left hand hold
14
Left foot step in front of right leg to the right ¼ turn to the right (now facing reverse line of dance), continuing turn to the right
15
Pivot on toes/balls of feet ½ turn to the right, completing turn
16
Left foot step to close to right foot and resume promenade position
Option - Original Choreography as Posted from the Midwest
3
Left foot step forward with ¼ turn to the right (now facing outside of floor)
4
Right foot step backward (the right heel should be pointed forward toward the line of dance) and to the left behind left foot and as in a curtsy-the left knee will be slightly bent/twisted and right knee deeply bent-the right hands are held at full arm extension to the right and close to the floor-the left hands are held at full arm extension to the left and high in the air (like the wings on an airplane-form the straight line from left hand to right hand, but at a very steep angle)-bodies will almost be facing dancers behind them
5
Right foot step right ¼ turn to the left (now facing line of dance), bodies straighten up to resume promenade position
7
Right foot step back ½ turn to the right (beginning full turn to the right), then drop left hand hold
8
Left foot step forward (now facing reverse line of dance)
9
Right foot step back ½ turn to the right (beginning full turn to the right)
10
Left foot step forward and resume left hand hold
11
Right foot stomp to close to left foot
12
Right foot stomp in place
13-14
Right foot step forward, left foot step forward, right foot step forward
15-16
Left foot step forward, right foot step forward, left foot step forward
17-18
Right foot step forward, left foot step forward, right foot step forward