Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Before the Bee Gees became “Saturday Night Fever” superstars or ABBA made similar much impact overseas, no group dominated the dance floor during the dawn of disco more than KC And The Sunshine Band.

In actuality, founding front man/keyboard player Harry Wayne Casey, who was already writing for other artists of the era, was crafting a masterful mix of pop, soul, R&B and funk that remains a groove-based blueprint well over a half-century since getting started.

Believe it or not, the “Get Lifted!” Tour follows a steady stream of fresh singles, and though a few were sprinkled into a two-hour mash-up at a packed and always popular Genesee Theatre, the majority came out straight out of the 1970s, set against a tropical backdrop featuring a giant disco ball and everyone decked out in their glitziest Studio 54-inspired attire.

An opening instrumental montage hinted at the hit list to come, prior to Casey and the dancers moving to the contagious beats of “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty” and “Boogie Shoes.”

Whether it was the slower edition of “Please Don’t Go” or “I’m Your Boogie Man,” KC And The Sunshine Band did indeed “Keep It Comin’ Love,” never letting up on the party or the lifelong leader’s self-deprecating sense of comedy.

“I Get Lifted” elevated the mood even more, “It’s The Same Old Song” tipped its hat to the Four Tops and “Give It Up” was cleverly blended with the Commodores’ compatible “Brick House” and The Jacksons’ “Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground).”

Each animated musician in the fully live affair got their chance to solo, prior to the multiple Grammy Award-winner returning for “That’s The Way (I Like It),” “Get Down Tonight” and “So Glad We Got Together.”

A snippet of the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” straight into a sped-up “Please Don’t Go” kept the fun coming until the very end, ensuring KC And The Sunshine Band still have exactly what it takes to send Genesee guests home a whole lot happier then however they felt on the way in the door.

For additional information on KC And The Sunshine Band, visit HeyKCSB.com.

Upcoming shows at the Genesee Theatre include Chelsea Handler (Oct. 8); World Ballet Company: “Swan Lake” (Oct. 9); Alton Brown (Oct. 17); Jeff Dunham (Oct. 22); Jefferson Starship (Oct. 24); One Vision Of Queen (Oct. 30); Styx (Nov. 5); LeAnn Rimes (Nov. 6); Alice Cooper (Nov. 8); Shaun Cassidy (Nov. 13); Patti LaBelle (Nov. 14); Sara Evans (Nov. 19); Black Violin (Nov. 20); Mannheim Steamroller (Dec. 5); Tyler Henry (Dec. 6); Gavin DeGraw (Dec. 11); Eve 6, Fastball, Blessid Union Of Souls and The Click Five (Dec. 12) and Dancenter North: “The Magic Of The Nutcracker” (Dec. 17-18). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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