I have lead an annual dance for about 100-200 teens for the last 15 years. New group every year. Have to keep it easy. Big hall, bad acoustics, only 1-1/2 hours for the dance. It's the kick-off to a week of leadership training. Found out the dance is a major part of the training that gets discussed during the week. Wish I knew what the discussion was about, but the leaders haven't shared with me.
Most successful dances include: All American Promenade (to a schottische), Heel & Toe Polka, and Mixer by Buddy Weaver (using another schottische), ending with Tragnala Rumjana into a spiral. Sometimes I also use Do-Si-Three, which is a lot like a contra, progression-wise, but hard for them to understand how to line up. Still searching for the perfect complementary dances to fill the evening. I get to work with live music.
One year, I taught Rural Felicity to a large group of kids (200+)
. A month or so later, I attended a Czech festival. Off to the side, there was a small group of kids dancing Rural Felicity. I'm betting they had been at that dance and remembered it -- made me very happy.