A few that I like, that may, or may not, meet all your requirements. (YMMV)

Awesome Double Progression Dance by Donna Calhoun
Broken Sixpence by Don Armstrong (my go-to dance for beginners)
The Casbah Queens by David McMullen
Festival Jig by Ted Sannella
Heritage Reel by Tony Parks
Jed's Reel by Penn Fix
Losing Weight by Michael Barraclough
Midwest Folklore by Orace Johnson
Saturday Night Stroll by Mavis McGaugh
Summer Sunshine by Paul Balliet
Unruly Reunion by Robert Cromartie

One that I wrote not too long ago is:

Meat and Potatoes
Jonathan Sivier
duple improper; beginner

1 - Neighbor do-si-do
2 - Neighbor swing
3 - Circle left 3/4
4 - Partner swing (end facing down)
5 - Down the hall 4 in line, turn as couples
6 - Return, bend the line to a circle
7 - Circle left 3/4 (to original places)
8 - Balance the ring and pass through (pass neighbor by right shoulder)

Jonathan

On 7/1/2025 5:07 PM, Rick Mohr via Contra Callers wrote:
> I’d like to find more easy-going contras for newcomers that still have unimpeachable choreography and something of interest. By easy-going I mean:
>
>   *
>
>     Straightforward transitions
>
>   *
>
>     Stays in minor set (but OK to progress somewhere besides A1)
>
>   *
>
>     A catch-up point like a balance or long lines forward & back
>
>
> Here are some I think fit the bill:
>
>
> Black Bird in the Night <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=5__;!!DZ3fjg!61ym2lO8iOwflAQGAo009UQ5NCx2_GcIJpcw-02LIWE1RB4ozq1hl6ZPJGtKMEZwzgsqD5Kcb-S_Nj6ubxLwbLA53OI1vCV19WWK$>(rory o’mohr)
>
> Give the Scout a Hand <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=1735__;!!DZ3fjg!61ym2lO8iOwflAQGAo009UQ5NCx2_GcIJpcw-02LIWE1RB4ozq1hl6ZPJGtKMEZwzgsqD5Kcb-S_Nj6ubxLwbLA53OI1vGRTvV_9$>(half hey with hands)
>
> Harmony Hey <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=936__;!!DZ3fjg!61ym2lO8iOwflAQGAo009UQ5NCx2_GcIJpcw-02LIWE1RB4ozq1hl6ZPJGtKMEZwzgsqD5Kcb-S_Nj6ubxLwbLA53OI1vLIC0BUT$>(half hey with hands, star progression)
>
> Kinematic Vorticity <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=1537__;!!DZ3fjg!61ym2lO8iOwflAQGAo009UQ5NCx2_GcIJpcw-02LIWE1RB4ozq1hl6ZPJGtKMEZwzgsqD5Kcb-S_Nj6ubxLwbLA53OI1vAqDSZEC$>(gate)
>
> Rock Creek Reel <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=11685__;!!DZ3fjg!61ym2lO8iOwflAQGAo009UQ5NCx2_GcIJpcw-02LIWE1RB4ozq1hl6ZPJGtKMEZwzgsqD5Kcb-S_Nj6ubxLwbLA53OI1vMlys7_F$>(larks/robins balance in central wave)
>
> Simplicity Swing <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=10732__;!!DZ3fjg!61ym2lO8iOwflAQGAo009UQ5NCx2_GcIJpcw-02LIWE1RB4ozq1hl6ZPJGtKMEZwzgsqD5Kcb-S_Nj6ubxLwbLA53OI1vG7mNuxF$>(star progression)
>
> Spoot the Dog <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=168__;!!DZ3fjg!61ym2lO8iOwflAQGAo009UQ5NCx2_GcIJpcw-02LIWE1RB4ozq1hl6ZPJGtKMEZwzgsqD5Kcb-S_Nj6ubxLwbLA53OI1vFAb1gJK$>(balance+dosido+allemande)
>
>
> I don’t count dances like The Baby Rose <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=10273__;!!DZ3fjg!61ym2lO8iOwflAQGAo009UQ5NCx2_GcIJpcw-02LIWE1RB4ozq1hl6ZPJGtKMEZwzgsqD5Kcb-S_Nj6ubxLwbLA53OI1vMMoVhvY$>where you balance & swing both neighbor and partner. Those don’t seem newcomer-friendly to me because there’s so much swinging.
>
>
> What are some that you like?
>
>
> Rick
>
>
>
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