When I get close to performing I usually start stretching it loosens me up and I can also do my breathing. Yeah for some reason air in lungs just go together well.

Well, first I get past the nausea, then the overwhelming need to pee reallly bad, oh yeah -now remember to breeeaathhe very deeply and slowly. ok I think I'm ready, my music's starting - hey, now I remember why I do this. I really do love to dance . . . .
When the butterfly's get too bad I always like to remember what Nemra Khan, a friend and long-time performer, once told me when I was a new baby dancer - use the butterfly's for a good energetic edge to your performance, if you get too comfortable the performance may not have the spark it needs to keep the attention - your own and the audience.

Well since anyone who has ever seen me dance will testify.. I have no secret for chasing away the nerves ---- I am always a nervous wreck, and IT SHOWS - So Thanks Susan for this game start - I will check back and see the suggests and try AND apply any and all that may work this weekend at Double Criwn =-)

I peek out and find someone in the audience I know. Then I know at least one person will be sending me energy.

OK so here is the recap of Double Crown...
Went really well actually ! - I tried a lot of things - FIRST Halima said find a quiet place with a wall - stand with palms flat agianst it and push the negative energy into it. SECOND - Susan said don't spend the moments before going on listening to your music and going over steps , just take quiet time - no one to bother you and find that happy place - so after getting ride of the negative I sat facing the wall and just stretching and not thinking of really anything. THIRD When I first stepped onto the stage I took a bbbbbbbbbiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiggggggggggggg breath. I forced myself to breath several times when there was a stop in the music or soft drawn pause. For once I did not leave the stage huffing and puffing.
Then when it came time to dance again - I repeated the same things. After I finished stretching in the dressing room - I turned from the wall and just looked around at the other dancers getting ready - some where sooooooooo nervous - listening to their music - figiting with their costumes - chattering etc. AND THEN >>>>> one of the dancers walks over to me and say " How can you be so calm"? ----------------- ahhhhhhhhhhhhh success......

Thanks ladies....

I give myself Reiki to get centered and calm and always take deep breaths. I also do a personal prayer asking that my dance be for the highest will and good of all.

I do deep breaths and get myself centered. I am a little nervious, hoping I don't trip during my entrance. I take my stance and wait for the music to begin. The first 16 bars are the hard part, after that I am having fun and into the dance. I hope the audience Is enjoying the performance, because I am having a ball.

I feel that being a little nervous is good it gives me a little bit of energy to make a big cool enterance. I have been dancing for a while and I still have this nervousness but I am glad it is still there. This makes it be known that I still have feelings for the dance that you are making sure that you are doing your best and having fun.

I embrace the nerves, remind myself that I've practiced for the last 8 years to get here, and then I say to my self... "F--- it! I'm Fabulous and I'm going to have a great time!" And occasionally I have a small cocktail to sip. And then finish it afterwards. But the last couple of performces I haven't needed the cocktail.

okay: I finally did my first solo! But before I did, I came and read this thread over again, and I think I used almost every hint before I headed out onstage. :-) As a result, while my opening three-quarter shimmy turned into a kind of a skip, I settled in within eight counts and wasn't too shaky to smile, and my body did what I told it to do. Yay!
Thanks for the tips, divas!
:-)

The Day of a performance I listen to my music until I (and anyone unfortunate enough to be around me) am completely SICK of it.
Immediately before a performance, I find my "watch points" in the audience (generally my daughters) and focus on their energy. I don't really get butterflies at local performances, but when I'm dancing anywhere new, I'm ready to puke right before I go on... In those situations, I repeat over and over to myself "I am awesome". Silly, but effective.

Xanax. But I've only performed once before... and i have a panic disorder....