[Callers] Re: Contra corners recommendations needed

The choreography of contra corners dances tends to get complicated by going through contortions to get the dancers into proper formation, from which the contra corners figure begins. The dances often have a half figure eight, a cast off, a box the gnat, or some other relatively unfamiliar figure, that adds complexity for some dancers on top of the infrequently-seen contra corners figure itself. That added complexity goes away if we dispense with the traditional requirements that contra corners start from proper formation and that one's corners must be opposite-role dancers. I love all contra corners dances, but I've gravitated toward dances that don't force everyone into proper formation, and that often have a lower piece count and more common figures as a result. For relatively experienced dancers, I like Chris Page's Twirly Corners (https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=13805). For less experienced dancers, I sometimes use my dance Across the Pond (https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=14602), which is entirely glossary figures except for the contra corners. I've had some success in calling Ann Fallon's Microchasmic Triplet (mentioned elsewhere in this thread) earlier in an evening program to teach the figure, then calling Across the Pond later in the program - which also shocks experienced dancers who are startled to experience contra corners twice in one evening. Jeremy Korr Claremont, Calif.