What is Pachanga Cha and how does Guapacha timing work?
Shawn Riggins
sort of Cha Cha variation.
Also, on www.ballroomdancers.com I saw mention of Guapacha timing. Would
someone be kind enough to explain how this timing works? I had trouble
understanding their explanation.
Thanks!
--
Shawn Riggins: Xrig...@ecs.csus.edu (Remove the X!)
-=> Please do not send me jokes, stories, chain letters, etc. Thanks.
Home Page: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Pines/5427/
Swing Dance Page: http://members.truepath.com/swing/
Jonathan Atkinson
>Also, on www.ballroomdancers.com I saw mention of Guapacha timing. Would
>someone be kind enough to explain how this timing works? I had trouble
>understanding their explanation.
I have no idea how I explained it before, but I'll try again.
Guapacha timing is like regular cha cha timing, except that the step on
count two is delayed 1/2 of a beat. So instead of stepping on 2, you step on
the "&" count between 2 and 3.
The following is a breakdown of every 1/2 beat in a measure of 4/4 music.
The counts that are in parenthesis are the ones that you actually step on:
Regular cha cha timing:
(1) & (2) & (3) & (4) (&).... etc
Guapacha timing:
(1) & 2 (&) (3) & (4) (&).... etc
I hope this clears things up. If not, I can make a midi file or a small
picture file with musical notation.
Sincerely,
Jonthan Atkinson
www.ballroomdancers.com
Icono Clast
>
> Today I saw mention of "Pachanga Cha" and I'm wondering what it is? Some
> sort of Cha Cha variation.
I saw that too, and it struck me because I knew Pachanga as, simply,
Pachanga, not Pachanga Cha and never before saw or heard that form.
Although I never learned it, it was presented to me as a different
dance and not as a variation of ChaCha as the Pachanga Cha reference
seems to imply.
--
ICONO CLAST: A San Franciscan in (where else?) San Francisco.
Kenneth Wetzel
early 50's. All things have a reason for happening & Pachanga-Cha came
about as a combination of the then popular Pachanga and Cha Cha which
was popular but at that time a very subtle dance. Bear with Me as I
break down the Basic Step. There are in essence technically 8 beats in a
measure of music. 1&2&3&4&. The male or lead footwork is as follows---In
place left on 1--back right on 2--In place left on 3--side step right on
4--left together with the right on &--side right on 1--bring left foot
slightly touching right foot on &--put left foot back where it was on
2--bring right foot slightly touching left foot on &--put right foot
back where it was on 3--bring left foot slightly touching right foot on
&--then put left foot back where it was on 4--bring foot together to
left foot with weight on &--then side left on 1--repeat same sequence as
you did on the right unit--repeat as often as you like. You can come out
where you went in and that is when your left foot is on 1 in the left
unit. take your time (real slow) Girl or follower does direct opposite.
This pattern is not easy to break down or teach vis E-Mail but if you
have a problem E-Mail Me and I'll do what I can. If You Master the
Pachanga-Cha techniqueYou can infiltrate it into all chacha patterns
making them come alive almost like a whole new dance. When My Partner
Reina & I did it During a Mambo U.S.A. Show the crowd went crazy and so
did Perez Prado. Have Fun--Kenny Wetzel
Victor Eijkhout
--
Victor Eijkhout
http://www.eijkhout.net/
Shawn Riggins
that gives the break steps a snappier motion. Correct?
> Sincerely,
> Jonthan Atkinson
> www.ballroomdancers.com
--
Shawn Riggins
can't figure it out, I'll come by the DJ booth at the CSD convention
next month and say hello (although I have a feeling Linda I will have
pointed me out well before then *tremble*) hehe
Thanks again!
--
Kenneth Wetzel
Music & the Authenic Pure Dancing that gives us another Avenue to enjoy
it. To risk showing My age but to hopefully enlighten You as to Your
Interest please bear with Me. First of all I'm sure My Previous Post
where I broke down Pachanga-Cha was confusing but if You are Patient it
will come to You & make sense as the Step-Touch makes it all really
happen. I would be more than happy to show You the basic pattern at any
event where I am at. Feel free to ask.--GUAPACHA is a Sequence Style of
Cha Cha that takes explicit timing which involves definite delays. I
won't even attempt to break it down but once again if You see Me "Ask
Me" & it will make sense. The Basic rules of teaching are Explanation,
Demonstration & Participation. As far as Chalypso (Calypso) & even a
Great Dance called Bossanova I can only tell You that they were both
passed by as far as being big money makers in the big Chain Studios. It
is a shame too because one of My big thrills was doing a 'Bossanova'
with My Partner to the song 'Lady From Ipadema'. If You have ever seen
the likes of Mary Ann Nunez, Mario Robau or even Me a thousand years ago
You should realize the difference in Studio & Street or Soul (If You
Will) Swing. Soul (Funk) Is something that can't be taught. However it
can be learned but only in the trenches by doing & doing. To put it in
the context that is understandable-You are not taught about Sex--You
learn it through on the job training. Sorry about that but what is wrong
with the Truth? I hope some of this was of some help.
Kenny Wetzel
Jonathan Atkinson
Just for fun, I thought I'd make a video clip of Guapacha timing in action.
Starring my beautiful partner Melissa, it includes audio in the form of
music with narration (that's my ugly voice counting there). Keep in mind...
it's a 1 megabyte clip, so it will take a few minutes to download. Please be
patient.
http://www.ballroomdancers.com/Dances/ChaCha/Videos/guapacha.mov
Oh, and it is uploading as I write this message, so if you can't find it,
cheeck back in a few hours.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Atkinson
www.ballroomdancers.com
TANGO 2X2
I love the way you guys explain the Pachanga Cha and Guapacha.
While we are still in the Cha Cha subject, can I ask what is O.B. Cha Cha?
Shawn Riggins
current terminal is way too slow!
> http://www.ballroomdancers.com/Dances/ChaCha/Videos/guapacha.mov
> Sincerely,
> Jonathan Atkinson
> www.ballroomdancers.com
Kenneth Wetzel
Cha Cha as You have described it could very well be a version or the one
& only Guapacha. I am trying to be understanding so once again bear with
me. Try the Basic Cha Cha Step but with this timing in open position as
Your Partner does direct opposite. Pretend You are the Man or Leader &
You are doing a basic Cha Cha (Here We Go) Up & Down in place Left Foot
on the 1 Beat==Back right step right foot on the 2 beat==Up & Down Step
in place left foot on the 3 Beat==Now comes three small progressive
walking steps on right-left-right done on 4 & 1 Beats (Or Cha Cha Cha)
Now You are at the front part of the basic box so You step slightly
forward but quickly ACCENTING LEFT-RIGHT ON & 2==Hold the 3==Then repeat
the same going back but naturally the count will then be on the other
foot. It will make sense if You take Your time with patience. Any
problems just Yell by E-Mail. I am trying to do by mail what I could
probably show You in 5 minutes but it's a start & I hope it makes sense.
I also use the 1 beat to get you started & your motor running & try to
detail things so it all makes sense. Good Luck. Kenny
Wetzel