Noze looan
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Noze looan is a style of Cornish-Celtic dance, and associated music and events similar to the Breton Fest Noz. Noze Looan is late Cornish for "happy night."
Noze looan is a relatively recent development in Cornish music and dance and may be a reaction to the more formal approaches of traditional dancing. It was initially spearheaded by the Cornish group Sowena, and traditional dancers. It places greater emphasis on simpler dances, such as snake dances and furry dances, in order to increase participation and the remove need for a caller. The movement has enjoyed a fair reception amongst the youth of the region, but has been criticised by some traditional dancers. The traditional name for a cornish ceilidh is a troyl. For more information and resources about Noze Looan see Cumpas and Second Wave Dance.
While noze looan is essentially a dance style, an associated style of music has grown around it which is generally more progressive than many folk bands, possibly to appeal to a younger audience. It also places more emphasis on rhythms and longer songs in order to produce the tribal trance-like state associated with the repetitive dances. The best-known band in the style is probably Dalla.
The plural of Noze Looan should technically be 'Nozow Looan'. 'Noze looan' is sometimes abbreviated by 'Nzl' online or in event listings.
