YWCA Presents: The Mary Murphy Dance Showcase

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So you think you can dance?

Here's your chance to show Mary Murphy.

She's a choreographer, ballroom dance champion and judge on the Fox dance competition reality show "So You Think You Can Dance."

And she's coming to Yakima.

Her visit is twofold. She'll be judging "The Mary Murphy Dance Showcase" March 20 at the Capitol Theatre. And March 21, she's speaking at the YWCA's 17th annual Leadership Luncheon.

Murphy, 53, recently disclosed she endured domestic violence during her nine-year marriage to her ex-husband. She first spoke publicly about the abuse in 2009, following hip-hop singer Chris Brown's domestic violence assault on his then-girlfriend, R&B singer Rihanna.

Since then, Murphy has shared her own story on "The Ellen Degeneres Show" and "Larry King Live" as well as with Us Magazine.

Midmonth, she'll be talking about her experiences at the local luncheon, a benefit for the Yakima YWCA, which runs an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and is also in the process of building longer-term, transitional housing.

Her talk is titled "Dance Until the Whole World Sees."

During her visit, Murphy will also serve on a panel of judges -- including Yakima restaurateur John Gasperetti, YWCA board member Marvalene Broadhead and Gayla Games, former owner of the Greystone Restaurant -- for her dance showcase. Yakima Mayor Micah Cawley will be the emcee.

The three winners, one from each age group, will be presented at the luncheon.

Meantime, auditions will be held at Glenwood Square all day Saturday. The top 10 dancers from each age group will get to perform in front of Murphy, part of the original guest judge and choreographer pool when "So You Think You Can Dance" premiered in 2005. She became a permanent judge in 2007.

Murphy's known on the show for her fun forms of praise, such as calling dancers "hot tamales."

Yakima auditions, sponsored by the YWCA and Ginger's Dance and Fitness Boutique, will take place on a first-come, first-served basis. Soloists will get to perform one-minute routines.

If you go
What: Auditions for "The Mary Murphy Dance Showcase."
When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Glenwood Square, 5110 Tieton Drive.
Age groups: 9-12, 13-15, 16-21.
Audition fee: $20.

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What: "The Mary Murphy Dance Showcase."
When: 4 p.m. March 20.
Where: Capitol Theatre, 19 S. Third St.
Cost: $10. (Children 3 and younger get in free.)

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What: YWCA’s annual Leadership Luncheon
When: Noon to 1:30 p.m. March 21
Where: Yakima Convention Center, 10 N. Eighth St.
Cost: $75.

• For more information, visit www.ywcayakima.org, www.gingersdanceboutique.com or www.marymurphy.tv, or call 509-248-7796. Story from YakimaHerald.com