The visitor's platform at the "She Huo" Festival in Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, Feb. 6, 2012. [Photo: China.org.cn]

Local talent shines

Later in the evening, we gathered again in the town square for a fireworks show almost as impressive as the show we saw in Yuci. Soon after the spectacle subsided, the coal pyres in the town square were set ablaze, warming hundreds of spectators from the freezing cold air. Little did we know, however, that we were in store to witness one of Zuoquan's most unique customs -- a mini-She Huo Jie talent contest.

As about a hundred people gathered in the street, the show commenced. Dozens of performing groups, each holding a placard saying the town or company that the group represents, started arriving in the square.

We learned that this was the second year that the county had set up the She Huo Jie local talent competition, but this was the first year that the town was offering monetary prizes for the acts that drew the most spectators. Groups could earn between 100 to200 yuan for wowing crowds with dancing, singing, acrobatics, or martial arts acts. A judge was onsite calculating each group's winnings.

"This year was a good year for us. In the past, we would just offer fruit or snacks to winning teams, this is the first year that we're offering money," the local organizer told us.

地方艺人的风采

晚间时分，我们又来到了左权县广场观看焰火表演，感受了继榆次演出后的又一场视觉盛宴。焰火刚刚放完，场中的篝火熊熊燃烧了起来，温暖了寒风中数以百计的观众。我们后来才知道，我们即将见证左权最独特的风俗——迷你社火节才艺秀。

由百余人组成的十几支演出队伍，各举牌展示着他们所代表的城镇或公司，从大街走到了广场上。演出开始了。

当地人告诉我们，这是该县举办社火节地方艺人比赛的第二年，但这是第一次为演员提供奖金。舞蹈、演唱、杂技、武术等表演若能获得观众的喝彩，演出团体将可获得100至200元的奖金。评委则在一旁计算各队的成绩。

比赛的组织者说：“今年对我们来说是一个突破。往年我们只给获胜队伍提供水果或小吃，而今年第一次提供奖金。”