◎Hexi Street Drum

In the past,there were many unique folk entertainment activities in Taocheng during the Spring Festival,including Dragon Lantern on Dongming Street,Frame Drum on Hexi Street,Bamboo Hobbyhorse at Mazhuang Village,Lion Dance at Xia Village,and stilts at Geng Village.Nowadays,some folk art activities such as Dragon Lantern on Dongming Street and Lion Dance at Xia Village are almost lost,while Frame Drum on Hexi Street is still handed down.After the continuous improvement of the previous generations of artists,Hexi Street Drum formed 72 sets of drum beats in its heyday.Different drumbeats are played at different places; for example,“Gathering Drum” is performed when the team members gather; “Constant Walking” when they are walking; “Mowing Grass” when they are near the field; “Pot Banquet” when they are on the occasion of banquets; “Immortal Crossing the Bridge” and “Carp Leaping over the Dragon’s Gate” when they cross a bridge; “Larger Entering Village” when they go to a big village; “Smaller Entering Village” when they go to a small village; “Promotion & Salary Raise” when they have a happy event; “Three Offers of Incense” when they go to a temple; “Golden Tower” and “No.1 Scholar Worships Tower” when they go to the old city; and “Abundant Fortune” during the Spring Festival.At present,more than 40 sets of traditional drumbeats among a total of 72 sets have been handed down on Hexi Street.It has influenced the ranges from Taocheng to neighboring counties and cities,from festivals to the ceremonies of opening shops,re-locating houses,marriage,foundation laying and other festive activities.This unique style of folk art form has brought endless joy to people.(https://www.daowen.com)