the degas bowl

Today's the Super Bowl here in the United States, but for those not inclined toward things football-related, we have the Degas Bowl.  I would venture to guess that even if Edgar Degas were transported to modern times, you would never find him at any major sports event -- though he did go to New Orleans, where the Super Bowl has oft been held, to visit some Creole relatives in 1872.  Degas was a bit of a prickly pear, rather set in his ways with decided opinions and not exactly fond of loud crowd scenes.  Yet anyone who has studied ballet knows that it requires strength and grace, and can be grueling on the body.  And Degas' many depictions of dancers very much show that fact -- their athleticism and flexibility are parallel to the beauty and illusion of their performance.  So tune in to the Degas Bowl, and enjoy the half-time commercial as well!