Where do you go to dance? When was the last time you went dancing? Do your friends go dancing?

Those of us who have not gone dancing for many years remember how important a place dancing held in our early lives. We were taught to dance in grade school. In high school we could not wait for the dances on Friday nights. Of course, like any other endeavor in life, some of us danced better than others; but we danced. No one was keeping score.

There were early television shows that brought popular recording artists into the studio to sing and play while admiring teens danced their legs off. Dick Clark gave us American Bandstand and Don Cornelius hosted Soul Train. Some of the teens on those shows danced well while others were on the floor doing their best to keep up. There was no competing and no prizes.

For the adults there were dance shows like Lawrence Welk and locally produced shows for those who loved to polka or square dance. While the music played, a floor full of dancers smiled as they passed the camera.

Then along came the television dance competition shows like So You Think You Can Dance (2005) and Dancing With the Stars (2005). Suddenly, millions were watching other people dance. Audiences began to believe that dancing was all about who was judged the best. Winning first prize was the objective. In short order, television viewers came to accept that they could never dance like the stars and gave up dancing all together. Sitting and watching others dance became the norm.

Those who still recall the fun we had dancing may enjoy these two clips.