I have to dance while I wait. I have horrible stage fright, I literally tremble so I have to practice deep breathing and move in some way to calm down. If it is a tight space with other dancers waiting I practice my belly flutters. Calms down the butterflys already in my stomach.

I looked at your profile, sis, and being a percussionist myself, one of my fantastic teachers taught me some hand/wrist stretches that are from what he learned in Aikido. I also know a couple from my training in JKD, and a real good "shake-out" to finish it off. If you're any kind of drummer, then you know how twitchy you can get....

After finger stretching, I like to sleep before performing. It gives my damaged brain a chance to heal and forget about any problems I might be focused on. If sleep isn't an option, then acting like an idiot is my second choice.

Being a dancer, I always do a bit of I stretching backstage but I think that is fairly typical. If we aren't the only act, I also love to watch the show because it really getting me mentally psyched and energized to perform as well.

But my favorite thing that helps me to prepare to go on stage is what I'd call the "big group hug". Khafif has a tradation of all getting into a circle, locking arms, and really focus on building positive energy. We typically hug each other and say lots of positive things that are truely heartfelt. It really helps me to present my personal best and to focus on positiveness of the entire group.
Neefa

This is probably the most scariest moment of the whole evening, when you are finally on stage things are moving you don't have time to actually think about being scared or worried.

The thing that works for me is that I play the whole thing over in my head as best I can, and then after that I just clear my mind and watch for the person going on ahead of me that is my que to stand up and be ready.

Talisen

My usual routine is filled with stretching and finger/wrist warm-ups. On top of that, I never go full, full out on the first song. ONE, I don't want to burn myself out by over doing it right off the bat, and TWO, I need the first tune to get my posture right and shoulders to loosen up. Mostly, it still takes me a few songs before I am sufficently warmed-up. With most venues not having proper facilities available for a complete warm-up, much has to be done during the performance. Not ideal, but it is reality.

Daveed

Not haviong played out in quite a bit, in the rock and roll world your usually at the bar drinking or talking to some girl or guy when one of your bandmates grabs you and pushes you towards the stage. That's about it from what I've seen these days.