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Mark Gstohl

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B Fresh Photography

Jean Bardot's Fetish Ball 2011

E.L. James is coming to town on Thursday. Don't know who she is? Well, 1,343 people are currently requesting her first book, 50 Shades of Grey, in the Hennepin County Public Library system (and that's not including 393 requests for the audiobook). Back in May, the Times gave us national attention when it reported 2,121 requests in the system, a number the paper called "more holds than anyone can remember on a single title."

So, Hennepin County readers like their BDSM literotica. Which could be why James, the breakout British author behind Grey and the other two books that round out its trilogy, included the Edina Barnes & Noble on a mini-tour of six U.S. cities this month. (Her other stops: Houston, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles).

Feverish fans can start lining up at 9 a.m. on Thursday in order to ensure a wristband to James's 7 p.m. signing, and stay tuned to see how many desperate housewives of Edina storm the bookstore (the trilogy's main readership is married women over 30). But while we wait for the queen of "Mommy Porn," there are plenty of places in our state that would put Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, the star couple in the 50 Shades series, to... if not shame, than at least to greater pleasure.

Here's our list of the 50 sexiest things about Minnesota. Think we missed something? Please tell us in the comments. Sexiness is worth sharing.

See also:
- "Fifty Shades of Grey" most popular book in Hennepin libraries, banned in Fond du Lac
- 50 Reasons Minnesota is the best state in America
- 50 Fun Things to Do in Minnesota
- 50 Reasons to love Minneapolis/St. Paul

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​This weekend, the place to be is Bryant-Lake Bowl, where Wheel Sexy Cabaret will be celebrating the bicycling body -- which comes in all shapes and sizes -- in an evening of arty, alternative, bike-themed entertainment. Bikes, burlesque, comedy, and live music -- what's not to like?More »

Photo by B FRESH Photography

Producer Sybil Minnelli with Mistress of Ceremonies Jean Bardot

​It was an usually provocative Friday evening for the Varsity Theater for the 2011 Fetish Ball as scents of rubber, lube, and incense filled the air. Any unsuspecting, typical Varsity concert-goers and stragglers from the Twins stadium were in for a real kink in their plans. Producer Sybil Minnelli (in the tight purple corset), and Mistress of Ceremonies Jean Bardot (who donned the huge rubber breast suit), crafted a supreme freak show for the record books.

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​It's difficult to resist the urge to cuddle with someone during these frigid winter nights--and who says you should? Melt the frost on your windows by steaming them up. Or better yet, ditch your make-out mobile until summertime and try out these cozy indoor necking nooks.

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Trixie Little & the Evil Hate Money, photo by Sam Holden

​This weekend, Lili's Burlesque Revue is bringing back their popular Best of Midwest Burlesk (BOMB) Festival, now in its fourth year, to the Ritz Theater for a three titillating days of live music, aerial artists, drag performers, and burlesque acts from around the country.  

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Photo by Joan Vorderbruggen

​Smitten Kitten Sex Toys and Supplies, the erotic boutique located on Lyndale Avenue South, is getting crafty for the holidays. This Thursday, December 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. the store will celebrate the start of this year's Annual Sexy Art and Craft Show, which runs through December. The opening night celebration will feature treats and an opportunity to speak with some of the artists.   More »

image courtesy of Rachel Kramer Bussel

She bought this underwear while she was ovulating.

​In the future, the robot sales clerks in the lingerie department will tailor their pitch based on where you are in your menstrual cycle. Maybe.

Marketing researchers at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management have released a new study that finds that ovulating shoppers buy sexier clothes when they are shown pictures of attractive local women. When the shoppers are shown pictures of unattractive local women, or attractive women who are 1,000 miles away, there's no effect.More »

​Look, it's summertime again and that means one thing and one thing only - body hair removal. Gentleman, I'm talking to you.

Summer is a time when classy dudes like myself spend a great deal of time without their shirts on. Whether it's spending time on the lake, relaxing at your apartment pool or popping your shirt off before riding the log ride at the Mall of America, there's a good chance that if you're a male then you're most likely going to end up bare-chested sometime in the next few weeks.



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