Classic love stories never go out of style. “West Side Story” is based on Romeo and Juliet, set in 1950 New York. At the same time America was ga-ga for Cha-cha. Cheeky cha-cha beats were mixed with the popular calypso music and became the 50’s Chalypso dance. This marriage of music is just as beautiful as Tony and Maria’s romance.
Chalypso History:
The 1950’s were full of rules for teen-agers. How to dress, language, and who you could associate with. The only freedom was in dance. Dick Clark’s American Bandstand was the up and coming go to for the latest dances. Chalypso made its first appearance there and was mentioned in the lyrics of “At the Hop.”
About Chalypso:
Just like the Sharks and the Jets face off in West Side Story, partners face off in two lines to dance the Chalypso. The gentlemen begin a forward rock to initiate a progressive cha-cha movement, or “camel step” of the day (today it is referred to as a lock step). The ladies will then accept the challenge and rock forward a measure after their partner. From there is continues as a challenge and response. Chalypso remains in the modern cha-cha syllabus of today as the chase, and the break is danced on 2 instead of 1.
West Side Story 1950’s Chalypso Dance How To:
I am going to describe the elements below. You will then dance them in the order described below. The only alteration is that the follows will begin on step 3 of the basic, right foot back, adding an extra measure to the dance, and repeat what the leaders do a measure after they dance it.
50’s Chalypso Basic Step:
- Forward Rock Step:
Left foot forward rock count 1, replace weight back to right foot count 2. - Chasse or “Camel Step”
back:
Chasse back left foot, right foot closes to left foot, left foot back, count 3&4.
“Camel Step” or lock step back. Back left foot back, right foot crosses in front of left foot, left foot back count 3&4. - Backward Rock Step:
Right foot back rock count 5, replace weight forward to left foot count 6. - Chasse or “Camel Step”
forward:
Chasse forward right foot, left foot closes to right foot, right foot back count 7&8.
Half Turn Chalypso:
- Forward ½ turn to
right:
Left foot forward rotating right 180 degrees count 1, replace weight forward to right foot count 2 - Chasse or “Camel Step”
forward:
Chasse forward left foot, right foot closes to left foot, left foot forward, count 3&4.
“Camel Step” or lock step back. Back left foot back, right foot crosses in front of left foot, left foot back count 3&4. - Forward ½ turn to
left:
Right foot forward rotate 180 degrees to the left, count 5, replace weight forward to left foot count 6. - Chasse or “Camel Step”
forward:
Chasse forward right foot, left foot closes to right foot, right foot back count 7&8.
Whole Turn Chalypso:
- Forward whole turn to
right:
Left foot forward rotating right 180 degrees count 1, replace weight forward to right continuing to turn to right for second 180 degrees count 2. - Chasse or “Camel Step”
back:
Chasse back left foot, right foot closes to left foot, left foot back, count 3&4.
“Camel Step” or lock step back. Back left foot back, right foot crosses in front of left foot, left foot back count 3&4. - Backward Rock Step:
Right foot back rock count 5, replace weight forward to left foot count 6. - Chasse or “Camel Step”
forward:
Chasse forward right foot, left foot closes to right foot, right foot back count 7&8.
Song:
For this recording the song I used the 1967 “Pata Pata” by Werner Tauber. Other period songs that were popular at that time would be Billy and Lillie’s “La De Dah” Sam Cooke “Everybody Likes to Cha-Cha” and the “Achoo cha cha”
Location:
We filmed at the homestead of the Alessi dairy farm in Trinidad Colorado. The Alessi Dairy farm ran from 1918-1953. Joseph Alessi was known for his generosity, giving milk to families in need during WWll. The Alessi family house we filmed infront of was built In 1955 and is a good representation of a 1950’s style house. Joseph’s youngest daughter, Carmela (Nelle) Theresa Alessi remained in the family house until she passed in 2018. Aunt Nelle as she was fondly referred to was doted on by her two older sisters. Her oldest sister, Frances hand made all of Nelle’s dresses, including the ones she wore when she won Miss Trinidad from 1949-1951. Pink and brown seem to have been popular colors with the Alessi girls. The vintage dress I wore was one of Nelle’s Miss Trinidad dresses. I am privileged to share this corner of history with you.
Trinidad Castle:
Carmella was treated like a princess, and even lived down the street from a castle. The historic Charles Emerick House at 1211 Nevada Avenue is a 1901 gothic revival Victorian house. It is the only documented residence in Trinidad that is built of hand-cut rough-faced sandstone and includes a one-story Gothic style tower that has a battlement with crenels, merlons and coping. The Alessi Farm is gone, but you can still visit the Charles Emerik house in Trinidad Colorado.
Thanks:
Special Thanks to Kathy Tessitore for helping me with the location history. I could not have put this together without her. And thank you to all the Alessi’s who let me put this together. Last but not least, thank you to Craig Tomazin for supporting this blast from the past.
Holly Collins
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References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalypso
https://www.rhymes.net/rhyme/chalypso
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Side_Story
https://socialdance.stanford.edu/Syllabi/fifties.htm
