Can’t stop the gems

We are lucky enough to have an important fashion historian in our fair city tonight: Leslie Hall, curator of the Mobile Museum of Gem Sweaters, will be appearing at the Mile High Club at 9 tonight with her band Leslie and the Lys.

Lest you think she always looks as serious as she does in her sweater portraits, here’s a clip of one of her kind of frightening, pentecostal sweater-naming ceremonies (if you wear one to the show and go up on stage and submit to being mauled a little, you will get a personalized name for your gem sweater).

And here’s a somewhat fuzzy video of “Can’t Stop the Gems” which I chose mostly because the beginning has Leslie saying “I want to be fringed. Immediately!” as two band members scramble to attach enormous fringe armpieces to velcro strips on her costume, and she sounds just like Hedonismbot on Futurama. Also, it has dancing gay cowboys. Really, do you even need to see this video?

The Mile High Club is the 3rd floor of 216 S. 11th St., between Walnut and Locust. The entrance is in the St. James alley, and I believe it’s $5. The show is 21 and over, so underage junior gems will have to get their sweaters blessed outside.

Here’s more information on Leslie Hall from NPR, in case you’re still a little confused.