Six performers from Windy Blew Entertainment stomped the floors at Be Here Now on Valentine’s Day at the venue’s first drag show.

Though Gary Martin, also known as Windy Blew, brought some humor to her performance, Martin started his hobby under grim circumstances.

Twelve years ago, Martin’s friend needed to pay expensive medical bills after being severely beaten as part of a hate crime. Martin and his friends strapped on some heels and put on their first drag show to raise the funds.

Martin continues to donate the money made at the drag shows to A.R.F, Open Door and AIDS- and HIV-related causes.

“We have fun here and give all the money back that stays in our community,” said Martin.

Martin’s Windy Blew and her fellow drag queens vary in experience and reasons for starting. Some began a year ago, but Justine Williams started 15 years ago after going out in costume during Halloween.

“The best thing about doing this is meeting new people and friends,” said Williams.

Windy Blue Entertainment has performed at Muncie Gras and Ball State, but this is their first Be Here Now performance.

Neal Soley, a manager at Be Here Now, said the show fit in with the entertainment venue’s other events.

“It’s something fun and different [everyone] can come out and see,” he said.

Students looking for an unconventional Valentine’s Day activity enjoyed the performance.

“I think it’s great and so interesting. They are very unique performances,” said freshman biology major Diamond Swope.

Scarlett Rose, another Windy Blew performer, said performing gives her an opportunity to express how she feels, even when she returns to her “real life.”

“It helps me with my confidence because Scarlett is a completely different person than who I am which makes me a better, confident person in himself through Scarlett,” said Rose. 

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