Musical tribute to California trees coming to Hammer Theatre

The wildfires of 2020 that turned California’s skies orange and devastated the state’s ancient forests provoked sadness and anger for many. The Soraya, the performing arts center at Cal State Northridge, had a creative response, commissioning a set of musical tributes to three of the state’s iconic trees.

The result, “Treelogy,” will be performed Feb. 26 at the Hammer Theatre Center in downtown San Jose. It features the work of three composers with California roots — Steven Mackey, Gabriella Smith and Billy Childs — that will be performed by the Billy Childs Quartet and Delirium Musicum chamber ensemble.

Mackey’s piece pays tribute to the coastal redwoods of Northern California; Childs’ work tackles the giant sequoia; and Smith’s composition focuses on the iconic Joshua tree of the deserts. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert are $25-$35 and are available at www.hammertheatre.com.

LAST CALL: There were toasts and cheers all around Tuesday night for bartender Dante Giuliodibari, who is retiring after a decade behind the bar at Original Joe’s in downtown San Jose. Giuliodibari, a favorite of regulars for his friendly smile and good pours, had been talking about retiring for a while — leading some to believe it might never happen.

“Krazy” George Henderson was among the patrons for Giuliodibari’s last night and conceded he was a little skeptical the retirement would stick. “I’ll lay 3-to-1 odds, he’s back here next week,” said Henderson, the drum-banging inventor of The Wave who is a regular presence at San Jose Earthquakes and San Jose State football games.

Giuliodibari would win that bet, as he’s planning to be skiing next week and then playing as much golf as he can after that.

TRIBUTE TO A COMMUNITY CHAMPION: San Jose lost one of its biggest neighborhood leaders when Ken Podgorsek died unexpectedly this past Christmas Day at age 62. He and his wife, Farrell Podgorsek, moved into San Jose’s Naglee Park neighborhood in 1986, and a year later, he was already getting involved in community task forces. He was a major part of the Campus Community Association, San Jose’s first neighborhood group, which produces the huge Bark in the Park dog event at William Street Park, as well as a neighborhood July 4 parade and a winter celebration.

Upon hearing of his passing, neighbors flooded the association’s email list with tales of Podgorsek’s helpfulness — especially with his maintenance of a long list of recommendations for household repairs, plumbers, mechanics and the like.

MARLEAU MEMORIES: Don’t forget that the city of San Jose will be honoring Patrick Marleau, one of our all-time favorite San Jose Sharks players, with a proclamation and flag-raising ceremony at 1 p.m. Feb. 23 at the City Hall Rotunda. It’s all part of a big celebration of No. 12’s retirement, including a Sharks Legends game Feb. 24 at Tech CU Arena and a retirement ceremony at SAP Center on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. before the Sharks’  7 p.m. game against Chicago.