Texting While Driving, a personal blog by Mark Baratelli

ballet

2011-09-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

Five Course Love Review: Orlando Weekly

2011-01-27T13:56:00.001-08:00

Orlando Sentinel Online: Five Course Love

2011-01-24T00:52:00.000-08:00

Archikulture Review: Five Course Love

2011-01-24T00:46:00.000-08:00

Orlando Sentinel "Check it Out" Feature

2011-01-23T11:07:00.000-08:00

In the January 21, 2011 print version of the Orlando Sentinel calendar section, the show was featured as a "Check It Out" feature. Above is a photo of it.

"More Than A Touch of Comic Dementia"

2011-01-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

"Baratelli, who is known more as an improv guy and a producer, brings angst to his Italian waiter and more than a touch of comic dementia to the German one." -Elizabeth Maupin | 1-22-11

Orlando Sentinel Review: Five Course Love

2011-01-21T22:11:00.001-08:00

"As for Baratelli, he has that appealing desperate air of a clown, whether as an Italian waiter in fear for his life, or a German realizing his dominatrix girlfriend and his secret boyfriend have arrived simultaneously at his restaurant. And he has the most fun with the various cartoon accents employed."
-Orlando Sentinel, Matt Palm, January 21, 2011
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I Am Free

2011-01-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

Back in 2003 when I was on a ship, an actor quit, leaving me the opportunity to host a live afternoon weekly family-friendly game show called "Who Wants to be a Mousketeer." It was just like the TV show, but with Disney trivia. I was the only cast member in the show. When I had fun, I was funny. When I was scared, I was not.

At every show there were two actors who normally had regular roles in the other shows who in this show, had to don hideous jackets and deal with the audience's needs. It was a thankless task and far beneath their talents and abilities, but considering the rest of the day was spent lounging about in the Bahamian sun, it was a smal price to pay.

Backstage before the show, we'd sit in the men's dressing room and talk. One of the actors had *every* Mariah CD ever printed, and would bring them to the dressing room to play before shows. Well there was this one song that I'd never heard before called "I am Free." I immediately fell in love with it. It became my jam. I had to hear it before every show. It calmed me down, made me happy, centered me. Perfect states of being to be in right before you go host an hour long stage game show alone.

One day the actor walks in, puts the CD in and forces me to listen to it. He goes on to say, very casually, that he was having a crappy day and he didn't want to be there, so he needed me to be funny for him, and he knows the CD makes me happy and relaxed before the show which means funny during the show. It was a neat moment for me.

Eight years later, I am in a 3 person musical that opens tonight and this afternoon, after some random online farting around, I came across the song! My jam. Thanks Danny for introducing me to this song in 2003. I am listening to it on repeat prepping for tonight.

I'm #36 on Axis Magazine's 2010 "101 Things We Are Thankful For" List

2011-01-21T12:56:00.000-08:00

Last night someone showed me this magazine called Axis from November 2010. Apparently they did a "101 Things We Are Thankful For" list (since it was Thanksgiving time and people were feeling thankful I guess) and they listed me as #36. It said "Mark Baratelli does it in a car: Mobile Art Show and Taco Truck Tuesdays."

Made it in the Selections Section of Orlando Weekly!

2011-01-19T14:36:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the Orlando Weekly for putting a photo and write up in their "Selections" section about the show! This edition came out 1-19-11.

Radio Interview With Director

2011-01-14T13:16:00.000-08:00

Which is better? A Poster or the Real Thing?

2011-01-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

1-6-10 | I stopped into a Starbucks for a quick wifi session and what was on the wall? A poster for the show I am in rehearsals for that opens in 2 weeks. Who feels famous? :)

This Land is Your Land by Sharon Jones ad the Dap-Kings

2011-01-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

This is a great version of the Woodie Guthrie song "This Land is Your Land" by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings I heard on Studio 360:

Me Singing HIGH

2010-12-18T22:49:00.000-08:00

This is a voicemail recording I made while I was in college at around 21-22 years old. Its me singing the words "please leave a message" with "message" being an unexpected high note. Then I say "We'll call you right back." Thanks to Brian S for sending me this audio.
Answering Machine by BRI1035

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Business Cards

2010-12-08T05:57:00.000-08:00

I ordered new business cards Monday night after months of procrastination. The design above is one half of the front of the card. The other half lists all the info my brother told me belongs on a professional business card. Having a logo at all on the card (above) was his idea; my first card design was plain black text on a white background. The back of the card has the same design as above (half deer logo, half info), but in different colors, next to a listing of my services (creative consulting, blah blah) and my products (the events and blogs I own). Can't wait to use them!

Shhh

2010-12-08T05:40:00.000-08:00

My nights during the past few days have been quiet, serene, peaceful and completely unexpected. After a home-cooked frozen meal, I sit on my bed at home in the coziness of a central heating system enjoying the company of my cat, typing on my laptop and just... being... quiet. I'm not thrill-seeking, trying to be everywhere or putting on events.

I've gotten back a semblance of a routine thanks to my newly acquired low-wage hourly day job. I thought after doing 18 months of small to medium arts events all around town that I might end up in some creative job, but I didn't. So I went out and got the day job and my nights have been the calmest I've had in 1.5 years. Thank you!

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Professional Stylist Gives Me Awesome!

2010-11-22T18:21:00.000-08:00

Obesity Reason Enough For Cleavage Oasis

2010-11-21T20:58:00.000-08:00

Was anyone downtown Saturday night after the football game? I was. Oh my so many wonderful ill-fitting, bra-less, purple, leopard, lame, gold outfits. Chances are, if you were on the heavy side and female, you were letting it all hang out. M'ams who wore bathing suits bottoms as shorts, I thank you, too. What a night to NOT have my camera! Drat.
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Yawning Moomers

2010-11-07T15:58:00.000-08:00

After Moomers ate breakfast, she came into the living room with me and laid down on the carpet right where the sun was streaming in through the front window. She rolled and stretched and got comfy, then let out this huge yawn I got on camera. Love it!

Improv Cabaret 2006

2010-09-25T05:20:00.001-07:00

Filmed 8/06 at the Parliament Cabaret Room. Found this while digging around online. Memories.

Ten Dollar Pad of Flyers

2010-07-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

I made pads of flyers for the July and August Mobile Art Shows. I like how they turned out. I am pleased. But when I picked them up, I learned that each pad cost me TEN DOLLARS. Ridiculous. I need to do the math BEFORE I make the order. I would never have spent this much money on flyers for this. Lesson learned.

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Mouth shut, eyes open, learning, learning, learning

2010-07-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

Orlando Arts Magazine article: Mark Baratelli | Art on Wheels

2010-07-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

Press: Who's News in the Arts: TheDailyCity.com Mobile Art Show (And Mark Baratelli!)

2010-06-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

Orlando Arts Magazine did a profile of me and TheDailyCity.com Mobile Art Show in their "Who's News in the Arts" section. Thank you Orlando Arts Magazine and to the writer of the feature, Sandra Carr!

New graphics for City Arts Factory Window Monitors

2010-06-23T13:47:00.001-07:00