Flame Magazine Apr 2013 by FLAME Magazine

GET FIT WITH FLAME

PUSH IT!

...ACCORDING TO JOAN

DOROTHY CHECKS OUT

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARBRA STREISAND

DRINK UP

THE BITTER ORANGE

Kimo n e s k i r e d e r F

PAYING IT FORWARD

Michigan’s Premier LGBT Lifestyle & Entertainment Magazine

PUBLISHER Peter Rayes

peter@flame-mag.com

ART DIRECTOR Kyle Johnson

kyle@flame-mag.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN KRESJ Graphics PR Solutions

COPY EDITOR Dana Haddrill

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kyle Johnson Peter Rayes

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PHOTOGRAPHERS Ricardo DuPerron Murray Grondin Klider Hakim Emil Harpe Carly Hernandez Steven Kaye Tony Lowe Al Shimmary

CONTRIBUTORS

Robert Bruno Alysha Calamia Jai Ferrick Kelly Garcia Richard Klaiss Steven Palmer Ed Sikov Jai Sky Dorothy “Joan” Stevenson

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429 Livernois Street Second Floor Ferndale, MI 48220 (313) 757-2624 editor@flame-mag.com

Copyright © 2013. Flame, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHER OR STAFF. NO PART OF FLAME MAGAZINE, INCLUDING STORIES, ARTWORK, ADVERTISING, OR PHOTOS MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM FLAME, LLC. FLAME MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY FLAME, LLC. FLAME MAGAZINE WILLL NOT ACCEPT ADVERTISING WHICH IS FOUND TO VIOLATE LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL LAW. THE PRESENCE OF THE NAME, LIKENESS, PHOTOGRAPH, OR OTHER REPRESENTATION OF AN ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS, OR PERSON(S) IN FLAME MAGAZINE IS NOT AN INDICATION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

april 2013

CONTENTS

APRIL 2013

PUSH IT! FLAME FITNESS

If you are going to spend the time and money to work out, you want to get your money’s worth, right? One important thing I have noticed is that if you do not push it, then you will not see progress. For many, exerting yourself can …

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARBRA STREISAND THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JOAN

The month of April means several things to me: My birthday is in April, the coming of Spring, but most of all, April 24th means the birthday of one of the most influential people in my life, Barbra Streisand …

KIMO FREDRIKSEN PAYING IT FORWARD

In my time of dealing with Michigan’s LGBT community, I’ve met a lot of experts – that is, publishers, bar owners, disc jockeys, entrepreneurs, female impersonators, promoters – and most of them are good at …

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION AT THE MOVIES WITH DOROTHY

The G.I. Joes have always been the ones to put their country first, but now they are being framed from someone way higher up on the food chain. Cobra has something big in their arsenal when they break …

THE BITTER ORANGE PHOTOS BY TONY LOWE

COCKTAIL CHATTER

“What about ‘The Burnt Orange?’” Dan was trying to be helpful, but I bit his head off. “That’s the ugliest Crayola color ever!” I shouted. “Readers will think I’m either color blind or have no taste.” “Well,” Dan drawled, indicating …

april 2013

FLAME // FLAME FITNESS

PUSH IT written by Kimo Frederiksen

ust for your information, I have been singing Salt-N- to perform a movement, your muscles send feedback Pepa’s song, “Push It” the entire time I planned this and your body adjusts what it is doing based on that article! feedback. When you add a new movement to your If you are going to spend the time and money to work patterns your muscles can be very conservative with its out, you want to get your money’s worth, right? One message. A lot of times the feedback received tell you important thing I have noticed is that if you do not push that it is too heavy and that you are fatigued. The truth it, then you will not see progress. For many, exerting is that you have a lot more strength but since your body yourself can be painful, awkward, and at times, can seem doesn’t yet understand the movement it does not want unnecessary. There are internal factors that contribute to you to overexert yourself. That old saying, “the mind these feelings and understanding them might ease the gives up way before the body does,” is completely true; though it is technically your muscles telling the brain to frustration. give up because they are like overbearing parents that The first factor in understanding why exercise can suck don’t want to see their baby get hurt. - the fight or flight response. When you do something with high intensity and something new, the fight or flight Let’s wrap it up! If you could pick one theme out I hope response is triggered. This is the same response the body it’s that your body doesn’t like new movements. Not so gives if being attacked by a wild dogs or zombies. For much a hate, but it totally talks shit about them behind exercise, when you have reached these intensities your their backs. Just like the haters that hate, these things body either tells you to kick butt and get through it or it they say do not hold any merit. When you start exercising, tells you to run away. This response is to protect you or even increasing your current load, remember that you but take the time to breathe and recognize that you can push it. have control, you are in a safe environment and Every repetition or every second that you push past that once you familiarize yourself to the movement wall of, “I can’t do this,” I promise you that you will see that feeling will pass. results. There is a certain degree of knowing what you are The amazing thing about the muscle doing and making sure you are doing it right, but never be afraid to silence your mind and have the confidence to system is that it communicates with stay and fight for that body you want your brain. The mind tells

the

body

Kimo Frederiksen is the owner and head trainer of True Body Fitness in Detroit. Find TBF on facebook.com/ truebodyfitness or email Kimo directly at kimof@truebodydetroit.com

april 2013

written by Joan Stevenson

The month of April means several things to me: My

birthday is in April, the coming of Spring, but most of all, April 24th means the birthday of one of the most influential people in my life, Barbra Streisand! Many of you may know that I am an entertainer. I have been singing since I was a kid, but lately I have been questioning why. I’ve been in a creative stasis of late and it is troubling me. Nothing seems to fit or make sense. The things that used to excite or drive me don’t much do it any more. Believe me, there are times when I want to stop and give music up entirely, but something keeps telling me, or making me go on as if I have no choice. It’s when I get to this point that I need confirmation - affirmation that this world of music is where I belong. I look for inspiration and motivation like a fat kid looks for an ice cream truck. That’s where Barbra comes in. Barbra Streisand has ALWAYS been my influence. When people ask me about my singing I always tell them that Barbra Streisand was my vocal teacher because I learned how to sing by listening to her records and that is the God’s honest truth. I have been listening to and loving Babs since I was a child. Even before I knew I wanted to sing, I loved Barbra. The very first Streisand I ever heard was the “A Happening In Central Park” album; I was maybe 7. Then later, it was the “Funny Girl” movie soundtrack. At that age I never thought about singing, it was something I just did, like every kid does, singing to songs on the radio, and singing along to Sesame Street. I loved music, but I never ever thought I would be living it. I grew up loving this woman and her voice. Her voice sounded like what I thought it was like to be invincible! She was fearless! Her strength, her vulnerability, and her humor were all there laid out in her voice for all to hear. Hearing her sing made everything all right. She made me feel happy and safe. I grew up listening to her and loving her movies, but it wasn’t until I saw “A Star Is Born” that I understood why I was here. You know the story; rock star meets struggling singer, they fall in love and through him she gets a shot at fame. There comes a point in the film where her character is basically ambushed to perform on stage for a tremendous audience for the first time. The song was “Woman in the Moon,” one of my favorites of her songs, and one I used to sing often. She starts out april 2013

quiet and timid, but as confidence takes over she kills it. It was in that moment, watching that very performance, that I decided- that I made the conscious decision that I was going to be a singer; I was 12. Who in God’s name decides at 12 that they want this? I did. And so I began singing in earnest and I have never stopped. Even though there have been times, and incidents, and people, and situations that have cock-blocked me from doing what I can’t seem to stop doing, watching Barbra do what she does gives me hope, and faith that somehow, some way someone will hear me and appreciate. I think maybe the approach of another year older combined with lack of gigs or projects is what has been putting me into a creative funk, but Seeing Barbra make an appearance at the OSCARS® was definitely life affirming for me. Gliding on to the stage in a suspiciously retro 70s type ensemble, she paid homage to the late great Marvin Hamlish with another favorite of mine, “The Way We Were.” Admittedly I wanted to strangle the sound people that night because they dropped the ball and left everyone sounding atrocious, but leave it to Babs to make sweet lemonade from the lemon. Cool and peaceful, yet strong and powerful - this is the model, the template that more should take to heart. I think I am going to follow that example and keep pushing on. Sure, I’m a little down, but I think a bit of Barbra is just what I need to pick me right back up; everyone needs a little bit of Barbra! I am watching “A Star Is Born” while I type this, and as I watch, I can feel my well of inspiration filling up note by note. Thank you Barbra Joan Streisand! (Yes, we share the same middle name!) Thank you for giving me joy, thank you for giving me strength, thank you for giving me a purpose, and thank you for giving me a voice! Happy, Happy Birthday!!! P.S. If you haven’t seen “The Guilt Trip,” see it!

PHOTO COURTESTY OF COLUMBIA RECORDS

FLAME // THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JOAN 8

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARBRA STREISAND, MY INSPIRATION

APRIL 12

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Kimo Frederiksen

PAYING IT FORWARD written by: Peter Rayes

PHOTOS BY TONY LOWE

’s LGBT n my time of dealing with Michigan – that erts exp of lot community, I’ve met a eys, jock disc ers, is, publishers, bar own s– oter prom rs, nato erso entrepreneurs, female imp re We’ do! they t wha at and most of them are good the re whe now t righ n seeing this sort of evolutio bitter toward old school experts seem to be really tion. In the peti com ion their new, younger-generat ns shift, reig er pow the as coming months and years, from ng ethi som n lear some might have wished to ng payi ers: own ness this new generation of busi e thos with set skill it forward and sharing your you set d coul y eda som aspiring to share your title while taking apart from the rest in your industry, monopolize to try than the time to mentor, rather a lot more you g brin d on our new generation coul r Kimo Ente ess. succ d lasting respect and continue Body True at er Train d Frederiksen: Owner and Hea er own ness busi T LGB Fitness of Detroit. He’s an the e quit has oit, Detr of invested in the revitalizing ertise to Fox personality, contributes his fitness exp most would and e, azin 2 Detroit and FLAME Mag of Kimo’s ned lear I n say he’s quite the looker. Whe but dig help dn’t coul I most recent undertaking, deeper.

april 2013

P: Kimo, when did realize you wanted to become a personal trainer? K: When I was about 22. I had struggled with my weight since I was a child, and in my late teens and early 20’s, I finally managed to lose it. It was then I decided to head to school to learn how to teach others and also learn more for myself.

P: And from there, you went on to open True Body Fitness of Detroit? When was that and what moved you to do that? K: Right out of school I got a job with a big chain. I hated how impersonal it was, the cost seemed ridiculous, and most of the people that really needed it didn’t even seem comfortable enough to make it to the gym. So from there I started TBF out of a house in Howell to create more of a welcoming environment. When I moved TBF to a commercial space in Detroit, we really held on to that.

P: What makes TBF different from any other of the plethora of gyms available to people? K: Our motto is “Fitness Without the Attitude.” I know that is almost becoming cliché with a lot of the new chains opening, but TBF still remains an independently owned private workout space. In other words, you workout without an audience, under the care of a professional, and you meet everyone behind the scenes of the space. Our focus here is on each individual and what they need to succeed, both physically and emotionally when it comes to their goals in health. Everyone here, including Kyle, has a passion to really help his or her clients and friends.

april 2013

P: Now on to what sets you apart from other gym owners and trainers. You attended a benefit some time ago. Tell us more about that. I attended Voices, a fundraiser for the Ruth Ellis Center. The Center focuses on helping LGBT youth in the city that have lost all support from their family and friends. They do a lot of different things, but a huge part is providing a shelter for the youth. I decided after the event that I wanted to mentor someone from the home

and hire that person as a trainer. TBF raised the money for his certification thanks to one amazing anonymous donor, and I took the time to teach Kyle how to do what I love. I feel what sets me apart as a trainer is my focus on building awareness in the community, rather than snagging as many clients as I can. I believe the more people I can get to lead, the more we can actually accomplish. In this situation, we just managed to help out someone in need as well. I also have bigger boobs than most trainers.

P: (Laughter). So the folks at Ruth Ellis Center set you up with Kyle and you agreed to take him under your wing and see him through to certification? Just like that you said yes and began training a young future trainer?

over 2 years.

P: Well Kimo, I’m definitely honored to know you as a person, to say the least. This is truly an incredible story. Kyle can be seen with you on the contents page of this issue. K: Yes. I was totally lucky to have Kyle When can we plan on having interested, though. Before we met, him train us and where will he he had lost 130 pounds on his own. go after this?

P: So you tell the Center that you’re interested in doing this, an anonymous donor pays for the classes Kyle would need to become certified, and you have been mentoring him ever since. That’s an amazing story, and definitely an awesome journey to share with someone- to be that much a part of someone’s new life. How’s that journey been? How far along has Kyle come? K: Kyle has been doing phenomenally in all of his classes and tests. It has been amazing. He turned 22 recently and I am so amazed at his maturity and ambition. I had a little fear when this started that my role would be almost that of a baby sitter. I left town for a week and Kyle took on most of my clients and kept the studio clean. He held the keys and looking back, at no moment was I nervous! That is also thanks to our amazing Regina Ward who has been a trainer here for

K: Kyle takes his final test in mid April! He’ll be taking clients by the end of April. He might need a few practice people before if anyone wants to come in and check him out! Kyle plans to stay with TBF until he outgrows us, which I hope is never!

P: Thanks for your time, Kimo! You’re definitely an inspiration and a true role model to the new generation of entrepreneurs our community is seeing. I hope you’re as proud of yourself as we are! K: Thank you so much! I just do what I’m able to, just like you do! Thank you for this opportunity, Peter! You can find Kimo, Kyle, and Regina at True Body Fitness of Detroit (1434 Michigan Avenue, Detroit). The loft-style studio, located in the historic Corktown neighborhood, is a comfortable environment where you can pursue your fitness goals without attitude or judgment. Full class schedules can be found online at http://www.tbfdetroit.com

PHOTOS BY TONY LOWE

He already had a passion for this and before we even met he had seen me on Fox 2. He claimed the first time we met that he watched my workout segment and thought it would be cool to be a part of something like that. Some time after that is when they connected us. It was all by total happenstance.

april 2013

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3 / 5 STARS

IN THEATERS MARCH 29, 2013 written by Richard Klaiss

he G.I. Joes have always been the ones to put their country first, but now they are being framed from someone way higher up on the food chain. Cobra has something big in their arsenal when they break Cobra Commander (Luke Braceyre, who replaces Joseph Gordon-Levitt) out of a high security prison and they set their sights on the nuclear weaponry of every country in an attempt to rule the entire world. The G.I. Joe team is lead by Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson) and is in dire need of assistance with their fight against Cobra. Who else is going to help the G.I. Joe team when it needs it the most other than a retired General Joe Colton (Bruce Willis)? This is exactly just the kind of help the team has been looking for and desperately needs. The fate of the entire world rests in the hands of what is left of the G.I. Joes.

use of the 3D effects in this film. The chemistry seen between Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson is a lot of fun. They come across as really good best friends who of course enjoy giving each other a hard time although you can tell it is all in good fun. There are some genuinely funny moments and also some moments that show you just how close of friends they really are. The best part of the film would most definitely be the fight scene between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, which is then followed by the red ninja mountain sequence. These ten minutes or so of film will give you goose bumps because it is exactly what you imagine a “G.I. Joe” film to be. While the Cobra Commander does actually look a lot like his comic book counterpart, it is a shame that Joseph Gordon-Levitt did not return to the role even though he is mostly a faceless entity.

The film opens with the G.I. Joes on a mission to retrieve and disarm some nukes, but everything comes crashing down and goes all wrong immediately following the mission. The base camp that the G.I. Joes are waiting for pick-up from is completely destroyed.

The G.I. Joes seem to go through the same conversation twice in this film; which is a little annoying. It does not happen often but when it does, you will notice. The main time this takes place right after their camp is dismantled about who they can and can not trust. Later on, they are basically like, “That means there really is no one we can trust.” Considering the storyline and how high up this really goes, that is pretty much a given.

As for Hollywood, they must finally be getting the hang of adding 3D effects because the 3D effects were pretty decent in “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.” You really do lose count of how many bodies fly into the camera and you flinch nearly every single time. Crashing helicopters, bullets, and thrown swords flying at you also reflects very good

“G.I. Joe: Retaliation” is practically gushing with overpowered and combustible action sequences, but it does not feel like the tribute to its source material that “The Rise of Cobra” was. Maybe that is a result of dumping half the cast and some of the most recognizable characters. While the ninja sequences on the sides of the mountains are very incredible, it does not feel like there are enough of them and the film is just noticeably lacking what made the first film so fun. If there is anything you can take away from “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” it is that pressing big, red buttons solves everything

april 2013

DWAYNE JOHNSON AS ROADBLOCK JONATHAN PRYCE AS PRESIDENT CHANNING TATUM AS DUKE ADRIANNE PALICKI AS JAYE D.J. COTRONA AS FLINT

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES

FLAME // AT THE MOVIES WITH DOROTHY

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION

FLAME // COCKTAIL CHATTER

the bitter orange written by Ed Sikov

“W

hat about ‘The Burnt Orange?’” Dan was trying to be helpful, but I bit his head off. “That’s the ugliest Crayola color ever!” I shouted. “Readers will think I’m either color blind or have no taste.” “Well,” Dan drawled, indicating his belief that two can play at whatever wretched mind game I was instigating. “Watch it!” I snapped. “You’re inching perilously close to the edge of….” “Of what?” he demanded, getting in my face and throwing his shoulders back as though preparing for combat. “Of this!” I cried as I jabbed at his waist with my fingertips and began to tickle him mercilessly.

pleasant all afternoon. He was heaving great, helpless breaths by this point, and he looked so totally beaten that I began to feel sorry for him and suddenly quit. “OK, I win,” I said in a desultory manner and turned around toward the counter, where my drink ingredients were still standing. I immediately felt two forefingers plunging into my ribs and my knees getting suddenly weak. “No!” I yelled vainly. “I won. You can’t do this. It’s not fair.” I was laughing in that desperate, mirthlessly tickled way. “All’s fair in love and war,” Dan said with a commanding edge to his voice. I was immediately turned on, went limp and fell back against him.

“Stop!” he begged, but I refused his order. Tickling Dan is one of my favorite pastimes, never so much as when I’m slightly irritated with him. He tried to pry my poking fingers away from his midsection, but I was in for the kill. Why was I so annoyed with him? He’d been perfectly

We resumed our cocktail naming contest after about 20 minutes, by which point we were each wearing only our briefs, which we had picked up from the hall floor on the way back to the kitchen. I wasn’t annoyed with him anymore, nor he with me. No sireee, not at all. “What about ‘The Bitter Orange?’” This was my make-nice suggestion, and it was genuine. After his winnertake-all performance in the sack, he’d earned my obedience. “That’s not bad,” he acknowledged, nuzzling my neck from behind. “OK, then. It’s settled. We’re dubbing this ‘The Bitter Orange.’” I poured one for him and one for me, we clinked glasses, took our sips and finished off with a kiss. “What,” you are no doubt fuming, “is the frigging drink?” It’s simple and easy and elegant, and if you go ahead and make a couple of them, you’ll forgive my

april 2013

coy introduction. It’s an Aperol and Absolut cocktail I made up after realizing that I didn’t want to spend my entire bottle of Aperol on “I Sorpassi,” or “Above and Beyonds,” the subject of my last column. The “Above and Beyond” is a marvelous drink, but sometimes one is in the mood for a less complex cocktail. I reasoned that the addition of Aperol to a fine glass of Absolut would benefit both: the Absolut would be faintly flavored, and the Aperol would be fortified. Boy was I ever right! And the color is phenomenal! You can make this drink with Campari, too, with much the same result, only redder

the bitter orange 3 parts Absolut 1 part Aperol

(Italian bitter orange aperitif, or Campari, a similar Italian herbal concoction)

Pour both ingredients into a glass filled with ice and stir. It doesn’t get any easier than this.

Ed Sikov is the author of the e-book, The Boys’ and Girls’ Little Book of Alcohol, a novel with recipes based on his Cocktail Chatter column.

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Pocono Mountains, PA

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