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President Obama and the First Lady to appear at SXSW

Associated Press
In this Sept. 19, 2015 file photo, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundations 45th Annual Legislative Conference Phoenix Awards Dinner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. The president and first lady will make an appearance at the South by Southwest interactive and music festivals in Austin, Texas. The appearances mark the first time a sitting president and first lady have spoken at the annual gathering, a group of conferences on tech, music and film which drew more than 80,000 attendees in 2015.
In this Sept. 19, 2015 file photo, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundations 45th Annual Legislative Conference Phoenix Awards Dinner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. The president and first lady will make an appearance at the South by Southwest interactive and music festivals in Austin, Texas. The appearances mark the first time a sitting president and first lady have spoken at the annual gathering, a group of conferences on tech, music and film which drew more than 80,000 attendees in 2015. Carolyn Kaster AP
NEW YORK

POTUS will be making a debut appearance this year at the South by Southwest festival in Austin.

No, that’s not some hipster band. It’s the 44th president of the United States. President Barack Obama will be the first sitting president to speak at the annual music, film and interactive media gathering, which drew more than 80,000 attendees last year.

President Obama will discuss civic engagement with Evan Smith, editor-in-chief of The Texas Tribune, during a keynote address as part of SXSW Interactive on March 11. First lady Michelle Obama will attend as well to discuss the “Let Girls Learn” initiative, which aims to improve education for girls around the world. That will take place on March 16 as the keynote for the music portion of the festival.

“I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate our event’s 30th year than to welcome both the President and First Lady to SXSW,” said co-founder Roland Swenson on the SXSW web site. “As each new generation comes up at SXSW they look for ways they can be of service, and it’s important to reflect and support that message. President and Mrs. Obama’s visit here will inspire attendees to that purpose.”

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 12:20 PM with the headline "President Obama and the First Lady to appear at SXSW."

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