Two CNN Digital reporters recently traveled to Mauritania - a West African country that recently abolished slavery. The Mauritanian government denies the practice still exists, but the United Nations estimates 10% to 20% of Mauritanians live in slavery today. The crew wanted to investigate the situation as part of the Freedom Project, CNN’s effort to shine a light on modern-day slavery.

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George Clinton came by the CNN Grill at South by Southwest today to do an interview with CNN Newsroom's Brooke Baldwin. Then came the surprise. After the interview, Clinton made his way to the CNN beer garden to perform a few songs for the crowd gathered outside.

For photos of George's appearance, click here. Credit: John Nowak/CNN.

Also, check out CNN's Live Jam Line up here.

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.

CNN has teamed up with Facebook as part of the platform’s Facebook Live interview sessions at SXSW. TODAY at 5p CT, Facebook’s Charles Porch will moderate a discussion with Nick Rhodes and John Taylor of Duran Duran in front of a live audience at the CNN Grill. The panel will take questions from people in the audience as well as those watching online at Facebook Live. Online users also can watch the discussion live on CNN.com.

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.

CNN iReport, CNN’s participatory news community, and online video sharing site Vimeo®, an operating business of IAC [NASDAQ: IACI], have tapped into their extensive online communities to produce creative, personalized reporting of the 2011 South by Southwest (SXSW) Conferences and Festivals.

During the first four days of SXSW, March 11th – 14th, 2011, hand-selected iReporters and Vimeo filmmakers, and CNN and Vimeo staff covered the SXSW Conferences and Festivals from their own unique perspectives, and shared their daily video footage with the iReport editorial team. CNN condensed the collective footage into a compelling visual diary of SXSW to share with global audiences. FULL POST

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