Coming on strong: (L to R) Vivian Kalinov, Ann James, and Tara Stevens. The cast of Urban Aphrodite includes (clockwise from top) Niki Thomas, Brandy Barfield, Ann James (who also produces NA), Daria James, and Mary Anzalone, with the cigar. Clothes from Erotic Cabaret Boutique.

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Post election, we cherish any prospect of getting red-state folks all hot and bothered. So we send an especially sweet Valentine this year to Ann James of dAdA Productions for reviving Urban Aphrodite, an evening of gals reading erotic writings by women that was a saucy hit last September. Now James brings the provocative literary sextravaganza to a couple of downtown venues, MBar on February 12 and Twelve Spot on February 14. The splendid actress Annalee Jefferies created and directed Aphrodite (and returns, by the way, to the Alley Theatre next month in the one-woman comedy, Bad Dates ).

Queer fans will especially prick up their ears at racy words by Sappho, Anaïs Nin, and Anne Rice ("some BDSM work," James promises). The show now includes tantalizing new acts: same-sex and opposite-sex couples modeling Kama Sutra positions, boy dancers, and a sexy shadow puppet show by Gregory Ruhe's Puppet Pizzazz. Aphrodisiacs (sugared ginger, chocolate) for the audience will help create a sultry mood. James teases: "Everyone walks away glowing." -- Tim Brookover