Photos provided by Craig Kempf

Ever since Selena was slain at the hands of her fan club president in 1995 at a mere 23, she’s been immortalized with a major movie, museum and mounds of compilations and concert collections. And thanks to Genessa & The Selena Experience, she’s getting a proper stage portrayal that doesn’t just recreate the sounds and looks of the superstar, but peppers in several fascinating facts along the way.

Throughout two sets divided by a dance contest, Genessa & The Selena Experience intermingled its namesake’s Spanish and English language selections and reflected on how her music was a point of unification for so many…

Between the group’s top shelf show and the fact that Selena remains the undisputed “Queen Of Tejano” music, Genessa and company’s concert was the third sell out at the popular downtown club with demand prompting a fourth opportunity on Friday, March 29. As for this latest round, it launched with the festive flavors of “La Carcacha,” engaging the audience in its reverse countdown, while unveiling the accuracy and authenticity of the salute from both its figurehead and the five-piece band.

Throughout two sets divided by a dance contest, Genessa & The Selena Experience intermingled its namesake’s Spanish and English language selections. In between, they reflected on how her music was a point of unification for so many and the precursor to the Latin crossover boom that birthed the likes of Jennifer Lopez (who launched her career with the starring role in “Selena”), Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Shakira and countless others.

The roots of where it all started were regularly evident during the effervescent revue, including “Amor Prohibido,” the Santana-remixed “Ya No” and “No Me Queda Más” as Genessa shimmied to potent rhythms in a bustier and unbuttoned jacket styled just like Selena. She also channeled the late legend’s inner “I Will Survive” during a joyful disco medley that was familiar to fans as the opening scene to the film.

Yet it was “Dreaming Of You” that was amongst the most emotional, lighting up at least a thousand smartphones and inciting such an impassioned sing-a-long that Genessa blinked back tears. Considering Selena never had the opportunity to perform that title track to her posthumously-released project (or the fellow chart-topper “I Could Fall In Love”), it not only honored her legacy with the utmost care and concern, but filled a tremendous void where there’s obviously still a voracious appetite.

For additional information on Genessa & The Selena Experience, visit SelenaLiveBand.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at House Of Blues include KICK: The INXS Experience (Jan. 4); Trippin’ Billies: A Dave Matthews Tribute (Jan. 5); Led Zeppelin 2 (Jan. 11-12); G. Love & Special Sauce (Jan. 18); Infected Mushroom (Jan. 19); Turnpike Troubadours (Jan. 24); Super Diamond (Jan. 26) and Jesse McCartney (Jan. 29). For additional details, visit HouseOfBlues.com/Chicago.

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