LAST MINUTE PLANS: Leslie and the LYs

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 18, 2011 8:20PM

Leslie and the LYs come and go in a flash of glittery spandex. One moment, leading lady Leslie Hall is gyrating onstage, and the next she’s retreated to her home in Ames, Iowa, leaving you to wonder "who was that lady in the gold-lame jumpsuit?" and "Why was she rapping about gem sweaters?" Well, tonight’s your chance to find out, when Leslie and her crew play an intimate show at Subterranean.

Hall has garnered a sort of cult following since the band came together in 2004 as an open mic trio. She’s well known for her parodic approach to hip-hop, outrageous stage persona and obsession with gem sweaters. For example, her touring RV (which occasionally doubles as a mobile gift shop) is aptly named The Mobile Museum of Gem Sweaters. Oh, and she built a site to showcase her extensive gem sweater collection. But these aren’t just the quirky projects of some crazy lady; she’s a graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, which may shed some light on her strict dedication to performance art.

The band is performing in support of their latest release, Destination Friendship: The Feelings Album. How do you get your hands on a copy of the new album? At tonight's show. Performing in support of Leslie and the LYs will be Penny Hawk, DJs Judy & Judy and Ramona & the Swimsuits. Until then, check out this video of “Hydrate Jirate,” which is off Destination Friendship and (as the YouTube description suggests) will be a part of tonight’s set list:

Leslie and the LYs play tonight, Aug 18 at Subterranean, 2011 W North Ave, 9 p.m., $12, 17+