For those who are wondering about the drumsticks... they went really drumsticks but rather they looked like large lollipops or small versions of bass drum sticks. A wooden stick with a round rubber tip.

They were given to patrons to beat on tabletops, bartops, etc. The patrons would show their appreciation for a dancer's efforts by beating on the bar surfaces. IIRC, little drum pads - similar to practice drum pads, were also placed on the tables.

The sonic effect was a cacophonous frenzy ... like crickets in heat.