Book Tour Takes Samarov Out of the Taxi
By Kim Bellware in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 30, 2011 9:40PM
"O'Hare Staging Area #9" by Dmitry Samarov, via the artist's website
Samarov, who emigrated from Moscow as a child, has an intimate familiarity with the streets of Chicago thanks to his time in the driver's seat of a taxi. A one-time Art Institute student, Samarov will be adding "published author" to his credentials -- and when those creds share equal time with "artist," "writer," and "cabbie," you can guarantee the stories in the book are going to be well worth the read.
Tomorrow, University of Chicago Press is publishing Samarov's "Hack: Stories From A Chicago Cab." Saki, Myiopic and Rainbo have upcoming events planned between Saturday and Oct. 7 to mark the book's release. In addition to readings from the book, several of Samarov's sketches and artwork will be on display.
Saturday's celebration at Rainbo will feature various guests (including Chicagoist's own Sam Abernethy) performing selected readings from the book, while the Oct. 7 event at Saki Records will showcase Samarov's "Music and Baseball" artwork with music by Chris Brokaw.
If you can't wait til Saturday, you can also check out NPR's Talk of the Nation podcast from yesterday where Samarov answering questions about life as a cabbie in Chicago.
Check back next week for our one-on-one interview with Dmitry Samarov
"Hack: Stories From A Chicago Cab" reading at Rainbo, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 1150 N. Damen, free
"Hack: Stories From A Chicago Cab" reading at Myopic Books, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, 1564 N. Milwaukee, free
Music & Baseball opening reception at Saki Record Store, 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 7, 3716 W. Fullerton, free