San Jose’s international airport is named after the late Norman Y. Mineta — the former San Jose mayor, congressman and U.S. secretary of transportation — but now there’s a plan to place a bronze statue of him there as well.
The tribute has been in the works for two years, but it has gained traction since the May 3 death of the popular San Jose native, who became the first Asian American mayor of a major U.S. city, as well as the first Asian American cabinet secretary. The project has some high-powered names behind it serving as honorary co-chairs: U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, state Sen. Dave Cortese and legendary judo coach Yosh Uchida.
Quest Valley Charities — which has former Santa Clara County Supervisor Rod Diridon as its president and former Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Colleen Wilcox as its board chair — is raising $150,000 to pay for the 6-foot bronze statue and podium.
The first 15 donors who contribute $10,000 or more will have their names engraved on the pedestal base, and two of those spots are already taken following pledges by former Cypress Semiconductor CEO T.J. Rodgers and Republic Urban Properties President Michael Van Every.
Sculptor Steve Davis, who is in charge of the foundry at San Jose State University, designed the statue, which features Mineta standing in a business suit with his right hand placed over his heart. Davis previously worked on the Shirley Lewis Children’s Sculpture Walk at the Guadalupe River Park, which was a collaboration with Ryan Carrington. Two smaller versions of the statue will be created, with one presented to Mineta’s wife, Deni, and the other being donated to a museum. Anyone interested in contributing can find out more by emailing Terry Downing at [email protected].
GETTING JAZZED UP: San Jose Jazz’s Summer Fest doesn’t officially start until Friday but there’s a lot of music already in the air this week.
Los Angeles-baed DJ Peanut Butter Wolf will be spinning vinyl starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Camino Brewing Company, 718 S. First St., in San Jose for the Summer Fest Opening Party. Tickets are $20 in advance at www.sanjosejazz.org or $25 at the door.
Meanwhile, Grammy-winning baritone saxophonist Aaron Lington will be performing with his sextet Thursday night at the Hammer Theatre in a tribute to Art Blakey, a jazz drummer whose six-decade career included work with Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis. The 8 p.m. performance is part of the Hammer Theatre Center’s “Sunset Series,” on the outdoor rooftop terrace. Get tickets at www.hammertheatre.com. By the way, Lington also will be playing at Summer Fest on Sunday, as part of a band of Bay Area jazz veterans who’ll revisit work from Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan. “With Love to Geru” is at 3 p.m. Sunday at the PG&E Silicon Valley Stage at the Signia by Hilton Hotel’s Club Regent.
GET A LAUGH AT TABARD: There’ll be some funny business going on at Tabard Theatre Company in San Pedro Square on Aug. 11 with “An Evening with Dave Burleigh,” who was named “best political impressionist” on ABC’s “The View.” Burleigh, who will follow his set with an audience Q&A, will be joined at 8 p.m. by opener Dennis Gaxiola.
Tickets are available for $25-$35 or $10 livestream at www.tabardtheatre.org. While you’re there, you should check out “Music from the Heart,” a cabaret fundraiser headlined by Tabard fave James Creer and featuring Juanita Harris, Corey Miller, Jose Barraza and more. The event, which will include a peek at the 2022-23 season, is free to attend but you need to reserve a seat. And if you’re in a festive mood, you can also get VIP cabaret table seating with a bottle of champagne thrown in for $150 a pair.
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