She expects pork prices to rise to 28 or 29 yuan before leveling off and declining after the Spring Festival holiday next year.

FORBES: Pork Prices and Inflation

Last year Interactive got attention for a community effort that was completely unplanned and that didn't spring from the fest itself: After earthquakes and tsunamis devastated Japan on the opening day of the festival, attendees launched "SXSW4Japan, " which raised funds for relief efforts.

CNN: The changing culture of SXSW Interactive

Today, brass bands still invigorate the streets during Mardi Gras, French Quarter jazz clubs deliver the best in live improvisation on any given night, and the Jazz and Heritage Festival brings together the past, present and future of American jazz every spring, proving year after year that New Orleans is still the jazz mecca of the world.

BBC: The birthplace of jazz