Salsa and Cha Cha Cha    

Around the 1950’s and 1960’s in North America (especially in the New York area) much musical experimentation was taking place. This was as a result of many influences including: Cuban artists who fled Cuba when Castro took control, Puerto Ricans who migrated to North America the Afro Americans and Jazz. From this melting pot came the development of first both Salsa (or Mambo) and Cha Cha Cha.  

Salsa is still evolving and is relatively new. The 1980’s brought artists such as Celia Cruz and Tito Puente and helped to evolve the dance which is generally a 3 beat step pattern to a 4 beat bar with a tap or pause at the end of the bar (when danced on 1).

 The Cha Cha Cha uses the original Cuban side steps. Cha Cha Cha distinguishes itself from all other dances by a vocal trademark of voices in unison.

 Salsa even now is evolving with influences from R&B, Hip Hop and Reggae. Both Salsa and Cha Cha Cha rhythms are often being placed over popular music and played in Latin clubs for people to partner dance.