Dance to heal

2:45 p.m., Outside the Haymarket Theatre, Virginia Tech

With 15 minutes until showtime, the line outside the Haymarket Theatre filled the entire lobby of Squires Student Center. This was the buzz among the waiters: "It's full."

A woman's voice, an official, quieted the crowd. She announced she had a list of reserved seats for dancers' families. "Otherwise, we are at capacity and we have no seats."

Meanwhile, students behind a counter were selling hip scarves, velvet sashes with metallic coins that jingle. The money goes toward Reema Samaha's Middle Eastern dance memorial fund. One woman bought an elaborate dangly gold necklace. "I want to help the cause," she said.

Inside the theater, at 3:03 p.m., the full house quieted, the lights dimmed and the crowd clapped. A young woman appeared onstage under a spotlight, speaking as though she was choking back tears. "Words alone can't express what we feel. We've chosen to show you through dance." The first song, "Angel," by Sarah McLaughlin, featured delicate ballet dancers floating across the stage in silky white skirts.

Submitted by Erinn Hutkin | The Roanoke Times