Dance and food have no apparent connection, except that an exhaustive dance class often leads to cravings for a super-sized meal.

However, dance seems to be diversifying much the same way food and cooking did in the 1980s and 1990s, both in form and the age of participants.

Positive Attitude Dance Academy in Farmington, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary, is following that trend by expanding its offerings to include classes like Middle Eastern dance for adults, teens and kids.

Other new classes that round out a traditional curriculum of ballet, pointe, tap, jazz and lyrical hip hop include hula-hoop and hip-hop jazz-fusion, for both teens and adults.

“We’ve always had a good adult group here because we specifically offer adult dance classes, and a lot of studios do not. A lot of these students danced when they were kids,” said studio owner Laurie Smalis. 

While Positive Attitude teaches students as young as 3, Smalis has seen an increase in enrollment by adult “recreational dancers." Dance forms like belly dancing and jazz-fusion strongly appeal that group.

“It’s a fun way to exercise. It beats going to the gym and sweating,” Smalis said. “It’s creative, there’s music, and the students leave feeling they’ve accomplished and learned something.”

Enrollees also have the option to participate in a June recital along with younger students, as well dance competitions scheduled throughout the year.

Building on the diversification trend, Smalis also runs a theater troupe out of the studio. Get A Clue Mystery Theatre offers a comedy dinner theater experience at Page's Food and Spirits in Farmington. She hopes to offer theater workshops, visual arts classes and even art exhibitions in the near future.

Currently, dance students are preparing to perform excerpts from The Nutcracker, slated Dec. 4, 2 p.m., at the Farmington Civic Theater. Tickets are $15 and sales benefit Farmington Area Goodfellows. Patrons are encouraged to make an additional donation by bringing canned goods and new, unwrapped toys to the performance.

For more information about Positive Attitude Dance Academy, located at 23020 Power Road in Farmington, call 248-471-7099.