C.J. Chenier brings crowd to their feet at Lake George, N.Y. show

C.J. Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band lifted the audience from the tiered seats of the Shepard Park amphitheatre and onto the dance patio last night with steamy hot Zydeco music. Last night’s concert launched the Lake George Arts Project’s 2015 summer concert series with a crowd of several hundred attending. The Arts Project presents free concerts each Wednesday through August 26.

The heavy, humid air that followed yesterday’s rain perfectly accompanied the sound born in the deepest parts of Louisiana. Chenier noted that in his current Texas home, such rain would warn of worse weather to come, but in the Adirondacks, the sky cleared to reveal a beautiful evening with a full moon rising over the lake.

Chenier’s deft handling of the keyboard accordion, the animated moves of Tony “Young Buck” Stewart scratching the rubboard (which he wore like a second skin) and the tambourine shaking of percussionist Woody Woodward created a festive atmosphere throughout the lakeside park. Filling out the Red Hot Louisiana Band personnel was guitarist Will Jacobs, drummer Stoney Trahan and bassist Shedrick Nellon.

This isn’t the first time Chenier packed Shepard Park in the Village of Lake George. He played the Arts Project concert series in 2012 and doesn’t appear to have slowed down at all over the past three years. C.J. is the son of the late Clifton Chenier, the undisputed King of Zydeco. Clifton named and brought this blend of French Creole/Cajun folk music into the mainstream. Upon his passing in 1987, his son picked up the accordion and carried Zydeco into the future, keeping this revered bit of Americana relevant into the 21st Century.

The Lake George Arts Project free concert series continues next week with Marcia Ball taking the stage July 8 at 7:30 p.m. All shows are held in Shepard Park on Canada Street in the Village of Lake George. In the event of rain, call (518)668-2616 for rain venue information. There is no admission charge, although donations to support Lake George arts are accepted. Metered parking is available on the street and in nearby public parking lots.