Cha Cha Cha - New York

The movement commonly called a New York or a New Yorker has other (often purely technical) names and is a simple addition to your Cha Cha Basic that can add a bit of fun.

This step maintains the rhythm established in the Basic and only makes a slight change to the steps taken on counts 2 and 3.

Leaders'/Men's Footwork

Start with your weight on your Right foot, with your left extended out to the side.

Instead of stepping straight forward "through" your partner on Count 2 as you would in a basic movement, turn your shoulders to face the wall to your Right as you bring your Left foot through and step forward in the new direction.
(You and your partner should now have stepped forward on your inside/closest legs and should both be facing the wall to your right with only your left hand holding her right at about waist height slightly in front of your body.)

Replace your weight on your Left foot and turn your shoulders back to face your partner on Count 3. (Take hold of both hands at this stage and while you are facing each other.)

Doing the same ChaCha Chasse as in the Basic movement, step side on your Left foot, bring your feet together with your Right foot, and then step to the side again on your Left. (Count 4-and-1)

Repeat to the other side by bringing your shoulders open to the wall to your left and stepping through on your Right foot. (Count 2)

Replace your weight onto your left foot and bring your body back to face your partner. (Count 3)

Cha Cha Chasse to the Right: step side onto your Right foot, close your Left foot to your Right, and then step side again on the Right.


Followers'/Lady's Footwork

Start with your weight on your Left foot.
Rather than stepping back into the normal basic movement, your partner will have indicated (by lowering his left - your right hand at the end of the previous step) that you are going to step forward on your Right foot opening your shoulders to face the wall to your Left on Count 2.

Replace your weight onto your Left foot and bring your shoulders back to face your partner on Count 3.

Take a Cha Cha Chasse just as in your Basic movement: step side onto your Right foot, bring your Left foot together with your Right, and then move your Right to the side again. (Counts 4-and-1)

When led, swing your shoulders open to face the wall to your right as you step forward on your Left foot. (Count 2)

Return to face your partner and with your weight on your Right foot on Count 3.

Do a Cha Cha Chasse moving your Left foot to the side, close your Right foot to your left, and then step side again on the Left. (Counts 4-and-1)Notes for both the Follower and the Leader:

- the set described here is 2 New York steps whereas the same amount of footwork and music used for a Basic step would only be counted as 1 full step.

- This step needs to be led by the man lowering his Left arm (when in hold) at the end of the step preceding it and then lightly leading the lady's hand forward to face the desired wall. When a sequence of New York steps are being done, take double hand hold in between each one and release the arm that is not in the centre of the pairing on the forward step.

- A good sequence of steps would be to dance 2 full basic steps and then 4 New Yorks (2 to each side) which can be repeated indefinitely if you return to closed hold after the last New York.

- Try not to lift the back leg off the ground when you step through on count 2. You need to place most of your weight on the foot coming forward, but the back toe should stay in contact with the floor.