At Get on the Good Foot's free daily dance classes, Teddy Ted the Flex Master shows kids some of the moves he busts as a member of the Cavs' Scream Team. "I was the first guy to do hip-hop [as a dancer]," boasts Ted, taking his place in line behind about five dozen other people who've made the same claim. "I was Domino's dancing pizza man [in a commercial]. It might sound funny, but it opened a lot of doors for me."
Behind those doors were choreographing gigs with LL Cool J, Prince, Keith Sweat, and Fred Berry, who played Rerun on What's Happening!! "My main thing is to let students know they can overcome any obstacle or adversity," he says. "I went through homelessness, and I was an abused kid. I'm a living testimony."
Sista Jewel Jackson, who teaches an African-dance program, echoes Teddy Ted's sentiments: "Instead of selling drugs and experimenting with whatever, the children are drawn to the drum. Everyone feels the connection with the drum. It's an escape from some pretty deep realities." The free dance classes (for kids ages 7 to 17) take place weekday afternoons through March 27 at various area recreation centers. Call 216-664-2485 for more information. -- Lucy McKernan
Singletons Alert!
A group dinner date brings the lonely people together.
1/8-1/10
After four years of running Candlelight Singles, Judy Silver has lost count of how many love connections she's made. But she remembers the ones that almost got away. Like the 40-year-old jeweler who thought he'd never meet his soul mate. "He kept complaining, 'I'm not meeting anybody,' and I kept saying, 'Just keep coming,'" recalls Silver. "Sure enough, he got married." Here's how the matchmaking service works: Fill out a questionnaire at www.candlelightsingles.com. You're then invited to drink and dine with 50 other single folks with similar interests. "You never know who the person you're sitting next to knows and where they go to meet new friends," she says. "But like any dating in the big city, everybody wants someone yesterday." The next Candlelight Singles meet from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 to 10 p.m. Monday at One Walnut, 1801 East 9th Street. Admission is $50; call 800-431-2411. -- Cris Glaser
Bargain Pop
Kiddo plays a really cheap show.
SUN 1/9
Kiddo has a new track on Boompa Vol. 1, a compilation from Canada's Boompa Records. And, no, "This Could Take Forever" isn't about the Cleveland pop combo's overdue second CD, which is complete, untitled, and due in the spring. "I hate to use the term aggressive," says singer and bassist Liz Wittman. "But in comparison to the last album, it's louder." Kiddo headlines Sunday's Beachland Post-Christmas Markdown concert, which also includes performances by Machine Go Boom and Ultimatesmashsmashy. "This show's going to be awesome," says Wittman. "It'll be so much fun." And she's not kidding. Show time is 9:30 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road. Admission is 99 cents; call 216-383-1124. -- D.X. Ferris
Kind of Blues
SUN 1/9
Roomful of Blues hails from the unlikeliest of blues cities: Westerly, Rhode Island. That's a long way from the Mississippi Delta or even Chicago, where its horn-fueled version of jump blues originated. But on the eight-piece's new CD, Standing Room Only (out on Tuesday), the guys seem to be having loads of fun. They're at the Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Road) at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15; call 216-383-1124. -- Michael Gallucci
