Leeneia,
I was a dance caller for many years and retired about 15 years ago. I was doing 2-3 dances a week for about 30 years mainly to non dancers, i.e., the general public. Before that I was a band musician and a demonstration/competition dancer. Throughout all my calling I only had a regular repertoire of about 25 simple but varied dances. I have seen so-called experienced callers trying to call a complex dance to beginners and taking up the time of about 4 dances and the dancers still making a mess of it. I would only include a movement like strip the willow if I had a set of dancers to demonstrate or in extreme cases where I was vehemently pressed to do so. Actually you only need 1 couple with 3 other volunteer couples to demonstrate how it works. With couple dances it saved a lot of time if I found a partner and demonstrated.

Here's a list of dances that I used regularly for 30 years and people always came back.

I want to be near you
Swedish masquerade
Bridge of Athlone
Cumberland Square 8
Ninepins
Nottingham Swing
Gay Gordons
Oxo Reel
Flowers of May
Circle Waltz
Drops of Brandy
Pat-a-cake Polka
Silly Threesome
Texas Schottische
Circassian Circle
Hokey Cokey
and a few of my own.

Hope this is helpful.