This week on Arizona Illustrated…the epic story and unlikely success of Zemam’s Ethiopian Cuisine; the ritual of walking your cat with Kid Congo Powers; the Baja Ruellia is a desert plant that will provide you with purple flowers most of year under the right conditions and celebrating 50 years of the Invisible Theatre with Susan Claassen.
From Refugee to Restaurateur: The Story of Zeman’s
Amanuel Gebremariam came to this country over 40 years ago from a war-torn nation in Africa. With no real prior experience, he decided to start his own restaurant. Despite the fact that an Ethiopian restaurant was unheard of at the time in Arizona, Zemam’s became a rousing success. See how through resilience, and hard work a man can go from refugee to the owner of one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Tucson.
Rituals: Kid Congo Powers
In this series we dive into the idiosyncratic habits of people. We learn about their rituals and how they imbue their daily lives with more clarity and meaning.
When he’s not on tour, legendary musician, Kid Congo Powers, is at home in the desert where he ritualistically walks his beloved cat, Farooz. On these daily adventures, Farooz teaches Kid to be more instinctual and attuned within nature which helps him to dream up new melodies and ideas.
Desert Plants – Baja Ruellia
Thousands of native and drought tolerant plants can be grown in the Sonoran Desert, and we’re looking at some of those that are recommended by horticulturists and other experts. In this segment, the focus is on Baja Ruellia (Ruellia peninsularis), a flowering shrub from Baja California that will provide flowers most of the year under the right conditions.
Suz and the Invisible Theatre
Susan Claassen devoted more than five decades of her life to the transformative world of art and theater, leaving an indelible mark as the managing artistic director of Invisible Theatre. Her passion for the power of art was palpable, as she consistently pushed boundaries and elevated the human experience through her work. With an uncanny ability to challenge and expand our perception of what it means to be human, Claassen carefully selected plays that resonated deeply with audiences, provoking thought, evoking laughter, and stirring empathy. Through her diverse array of productions—ranging from thought-provoking dramas to witty comedies and unpredictable improv—she crafted a space where art was both a mirror to society and a beacon of enlightenment. Her love for the theater, its raw authenticity, and its capacity to engage and inspire was evident in every performance she brought to life. This story captures just a glimpse of the soul of an artist whose heart and spirit were entwined with the very essence of theater, and whose legacy continues to inspire all who encounter her work.
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