Before Leslie Hall’s first pair of gold pants were made by her mother, Rena Hall, Hall said she knew she wanted to work in the arts — a desire that eventually led her to a 4-track mixer and to the beginning of her band, Leslie and the LY’s.

Ames native Leslie Hall and her band, Leslie and the LY’s, will be playing at the Maintenance Shop on Saturday, where the spandex-clad trio, including Hall, ISU alumna Ramona Muse and Laura deWaal, will premiere a video which was filmed in Ames specifically for Ames’ fans.   

Performing in the M-shop will bring Hall back to her roots, Ames, where she was born and raised. After graduating from Ames High School, Hall attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston for four years before embracing her gem sweater style.

As a staple in Hall’s wardrobe, sparkling tops, specifically gem sweaters, have been featured in her music videos and preserved in The Mobile Museum of Gem Sweaters, a collection dedicated to the conservation of beaded and gemmed sweaters, which holds more than 200 gemmed sweaters, according to Hall’s Web site www.lesliehall.com/8-mm, After founding The Mobile Museum of Gem Sweaters, Hall’s fans soon adopted the style trend.

Hall said the her band gives more than music, they give audiences a “visual experience,” complete with a spandex costumes covered in fringe, glitter and tiger stripes and a style that is a mix of pop and dance beats with country influences.

A concert with Leslie and the LY’s is a chance to break away from the typical celebrity craze and support a local artist, all while getting the chance to don some glitzy sweaters, Hall said. Experiencing the shows, the group said, is really about having a good time.

“We want people to leave with a smile,” Hall said. “With this show we can prove we are Las Vegas, worth driving six blocks for and leave people with the burning desire to rescue a gem sweater.”

With no formal music mixing education, Leslie and the LY’s stand out among mainstream pop music artists with their unique techno blends. Hall said lyrics have been inspired by Iowa and the surrounding region, as well as her love of crafting.

Leslie and the LY’s, who now have three albums under their shiny black belts, have fully secured a space in entertainment. Hall said they have been able to progressively develop a fan base because of her guest star appearance on the Nick Jr. show “Yo Gabba Gabba!” in 2007 and 2008 and through her band’s tours, MySpace and YouTube clips. Even with this success, Hall said it has remained a challenge to secure local fans.

“The novelty of being a celebrity from the Midwest isn’t noticed in the Midwest,” Hall said.

Midwest immigrants frequent shows along the coasts to support their landlocked region with pride.

Hall said that she has a few dreams left she would like to achieve, including opening for Britney Spears, performing at the Iowa State Fair and having her own billboard.

Although those dreams are closer to being in reach, the group remains grounded and said they enjoy more personal connections to fans.

 “A plus-size office worker showed up and looked me in the eyes and said, ‘I bought this sparkly top at TJ Maxx and never had a reason to wear it. You are a dream catcher,’” Hall said.

By taking “baby steps,” Hall said she attributes her unique form of celebrity to her Midwestern upbringing. 

“Internet celebrities don’t have cloud eyes. The Midwest is keeping it fresh and tender, brining a new recipe to the book,” Hall said. “The Midwest doesn’t have Hollywood to make us stars.”

Hall said that the work her and her band members are doing has been a dream come true.

 “I went to school thinking I’m gonna be a poor artist. I’m gonna work during the day and do art at night,” Hall said.

 DeWaal shared a similar feeling towards her current career.

  “I thought I’d be in a business suit working, but now I’m in spandex.”