Some local dancers will get a chance to display their footwork when the Dancing with the Stars tour comes to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence tonight.

Ten couples, already selected in a pre-show qualifying event, will get to dance tonight. Before the show officially begins at 7:30, there will be two elimination rounds in which area dancers need to impress judge Alex Mazo, who was on the first season of Dancing with the Stars on ABC.

Mazo will reduce the 10 couples to just two, who will have an opportunity to dance during the show itself. Their fates will be determined by audience applause meters, which will decide the local dance champions. The winning couple gets a trophy.

Marc Bertrand, who owns the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Johnston, is one of the local dancers. Cheryl Johnson, one of his students, is his partner. Bertrand said he heard about the local competititon from Arthur Murray executives.

Bertrand admitted he was a little nervous about tonight’s competition.

“I’d be lying if I said no,” he said. “It’s a big event. A phenomenal, phenomenal event for us. Being a little nervous is not a bad thing. It keeps you on your toes.”

Bertrand said the success of Dancing with the Stars on TV has been very good for business.

“It’s the biggest advertisement for ballroom dancing ever,” he said. “Probably 30 percent of the calls we get now are from people who mention Dancing with the Stars.

asmith@projo.com