Stick Back

Back to Uptown dances

History:

Another Dave Seibert creation from our early years, this one has always been a favorite.

Tune:

Fieldtown Step Back (a long dance)

Implements:

Sticks

Note:

After every half-figure, there is a "Dance to your partner", which we refer to as the "Thing."

Thing:

Rather than clashing with partner at the end of a half figure, raise the sticks up on the last walking step just as you did on the first. Double-step twice to partner while sticks fall forward and down, up to horizontal, down again, and up to shoulder just as in the normal stepping. Clash forehand, bring the stick down near the right hip and back slightly to prepare to toss it to partner. Toss, catch, and clash backhand with partner. Hop if you are then beginning the second half of the figure, but not if the chorus is next. The whole pattern of a half of a figure with the "Thing" is: Step-hop-step-hop, double-step-hop, walk, walk, walk, walk(sticks up), double-step, double-step, clash, back, toss-catch-clash (-hop).

Distinctive Figure:

Having ended with a backhand, you are ready to begin the chorus forehand to partner. Stick as follows: Forehand, right, left, backhand, fore, right, extreme right* - fore - left. Forehand and backhand are to partner, right is a backhand to the person across the set to your right, left is a forehand to the person across to your left, and "extreme right" is a forehand to the person across to your right. The last three beats are usully called as "1-2-3". After sticking, dance half-rounds up the nose. If this is being danced along with another set doing the hankie version, note that the chorus begins with a forehand both times. The dance ends all up.