This Friday, CNN is back in Austin for the CNN Grill at South by Southwest. In addition to panels and delicious culinary delights, the CNN Grill will feature two musical acts each evening, from Friday, March 9th through Monday, March 12th. This year’s lineup is an eclectic mix of genres, as well as a motley assortment of local Austin bands and acts from across the country. Check out CNN’s Live Jam Lineup after the jump. For all the latest CNN SXSW music and programming updates, follow @CNNSXSW on Twitter.

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MAX's Wine Dive will transform into CNN's Event & Broadcast Hub

We're back! CNN will descend on Austin, TX from March 9-12, for this year's South by Southwest (SXSW) Conferences and Festival. After making its debut in 2011, the network's "CNN Grill" will once again hold court at MAX's Wine Dive, Austin's downtown hotspot known for gourmet comfort food and competitively priced wines from around the world.

Situated just steps from the Austin Convention Center, the CNN Grill will bring together select SXSW attendees, newsmakers and members of the media for live CNN programming, musical performances and special events daily. Union Square Events, the event services business of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, will create a special CNN Grill Menu that will be served throughout the event. Guests will also enjoy handcrafted cocktails, incredible wines and great entertainment exclusive to the CNN Grill.

South by Southwest 2012 is right around the corner. Here is a look back at the CNN Grill during the 2011 South By Southwest Conferences and Festivals in Austin, Texas.

Follow @CNNSXSW on Twitter. Additional details coming soon.

Brett Dennen came to the CNN Grill at SXSW to play a set earlier this afternoon, including a single from his new album.  While in the Grill, he posed for a shot with Susan Grant, Executive Vice President of CNN News Services, who is a fan.  She's got a number of his songs on her iPhone, including "Heaven" and "Ain't No Reason."

Tonight in Austin at the corner of 5th and Lavaca, CNN Mobile will be projecting a 15-foot simulation of the iReport experience on CNN's new Android tablet App.  The pictures are updated in real-time from iReports filed from SXSW so share your story and come check it out.

The Eatocracy Secret Supper chefs have been revealed!  Chef Zack Northcutt from Mulberry & Haddingtons roasted a whole pig for the Austin Secret Supper, and invited his friends to come help with the sides.   Chef John Galindo from Izzoz Tacos and Chef Matt Clouser of Rabbit and Hat Supper Club made all vegan sides.  Pastry chefs Philip Speer, Plinio Sandalio and his apprentice Caroline Dunbar made the desserts and Haddington's bartender Bill Norris mixed the cocktails.  Follow the action live on Twitter via @eatocracy and #CNNsupper.

While in Austin for SXSW,  CNN.com is hosting its third Eatocracy Secret Supper.  From tacos to brisket, the Supper will bring together Austin's farmers and chefs to talk food.  Details are still secret but we'll dish on them soon.   Our Eatocracy editors will also be live blogging the evening's fun beginning at 8:30p ET/7:30p CT.

On Twitter, you also can follow @eatocracy and track #CNNSupper as we reveal the latest secrets throughout the evening – including the location, guest list, chef, menu and a BIG surprise!

In the meantime, here are a few of Eatocracy's stories this week related to Austin and its food culture that are definitely worth sampling:

• The feather in the cap of the Austin food scene
• Holy mole and nopales: A taste of Austin
• When life gives you chicken and waffles...

 

The CNN Grill is featuring several bands and musical acts – including Ponderosa, Augustana, Miguel and Gold Motel – for the next three days of South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. The schedule is after the jump, and follow @CNNSXSW on Twitter for the latest from the festival. FULL POST

CNN anchor Ali Velshi sat down for a chat with environmentalist Philippe Cousteau, CNN International’s new host for the “Going Green” specials, which will air on CNNI throughout 2011.

Velshi and Cousteau also chatted about the future of the environment, and how the Gulf coast is coping one year after the oil spill.

After SXSW, Cousteau gets on a flight to the Arctic Circle, near the North Pole for his next project.

March 14, 2011 – CNN International announced today that environmentalist Philippe Cousteau will be the network’s host and special correspondent for the successful Going Green specials during 2011. With the network’s promise to take viewers beyond borders to deliver intelligent programming for an interconnected world, the partnership reaffirms CNN’s commitment to report environmental stories that are changing our planet.

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