Omaha Jitterbugs

Omaha Jitterbugs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and teaching Lindy Hop, vintage jazz dance, and Swing Era culture through classes, social dances, live music events, and community gatherings. Since 2001, the organization has welcomed dancers from Omaha, Council Bluffs, Lincoln, and beyond to learn and connect in a friendly, upbeat atmosphere where everybody belongs.

Jitterbugs' Night Out is the cornerstone event—a weekly Friday night gathering that brings more than 100 people together for beginner-friendly dance lessons, social dancing, live jazz music, and community energy. The night runs from 8:00 p.m. to midnight at Eagles Ballroom (upstairs F.O.E #38) at 201 S. 24th St. The beginning lesson starts at 8:15 p.m., creating a welcoming environment where anyone can step onto the dance floor, regardless of experience or whether they have a partner. General admission is $10 ($5 for JIVE volunteers), and the lesson is included.

Beyond Jitterbugs' Night Out, Omaha Jitterbugs offers monthly progressive classes color-coded by skill level: green for beginners, blue for all levels, yellow for intermediate, and red for advanced or invitational. Classes run for four weeks and cost $60 per class or $20 for a single drop-in night; a 15% discount applies when signing up for two or more classes per month. The organization also runs Lindy in the Park, a free summer celebration held on Sundays during the farmers market at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village (10 a.m.–11:30 a.m., starting May 10th), and Cowtown Jamborama, an annual jazz and swing dance festival.

Young dancers are welcome through specialized programmes. Itsy Bitsy Youth Classes, designed for ages 5–7, teach jazz and tap dance on Mondays from 6:15–7:00 p.m. at 4801 NW Radial HWY for $35 per month. The organization also offers Junior Jitterbugs for kids in grades 5–9. Teaching artists on staff include Lindsay Sobczyk (Executive Director), Merinda Collins, Christy Palmer, and Ben Cass, all of whom hold the title of Teaching Artist.

The dance floor is located at Eagles Ballroom upstairs, with free parking available in multiple nearby locations. The organization operates with 60+ volunteers and 120+ donors, and is supported by grants from the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Omaha Jitterbugs serves approximately 150 dancers weekly, hosts 72 social dances annually, and 16 live music events per year.

If you attend Jitterbugs' Night Out, arrive by 8:00 p.m. for the free beginner lesson starting at 8:15 p.m., which welcomes complete newcomers. You'll rotate partners throughout the lesson, then enjoy social dancing to DJ and live music from 9 p.m. until midnight. No partner or experience is required, and the atmosphere is smoke-free, drug-free, and welcoming to all ages (children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult).

Teaching artists include Lindsay Sobczyk (Executive Director), Merinda Collins (Board President), Christy Palmer, and Ben Cass (Vice President & Secretary). Instructors are JIVE volunteers who have completed training.

Completely beginner-friendly; every Friday's Jitterbugs' Night Out includes a free beginner lesson, and monthly classes start with green-coded beginner levels.