Cha-Cha Dance Workshop

couple dancingRoberta Kulik will teach a cha-cha dance workshop at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 8, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. The cha-cha-cha, or “cha-cha” for short, is an energetic Cuban dance.

Often danced at ballroom events and Latin clubs, cha-cha music’s beginnings are attributed solely to Cuban composer and violinist, Enrique Jorrin in 1953, however the cha-cha may be danced to a variety of different genres, including Cuban music, Latin Pop or Latin Rock. The dance for international ballroom is energetic with a steady beat, while the Cuban version is more sensual and often involves complex polyrhythms.

Kulik will teach participants user-friendly cha-cha choreography.

Although there are different styles, social dancers tend to follow the popular “one, two, cha-cha-cha” rhythm. Traditional American Rhythm features Latin hip movement through alternate bending and straightening of the knees. This is generally a partnership dance in which there is a “leader” who controls the flow of the dance and guides the “follower” into different patterns across the floor.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information call 708-386-4040.