Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around the Republic, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. Here's a look at some of this week's Mexico headlines and Banderas Bay area news, plus some of this weekend's events that you won't want to miss.

Puerto Vallarta to Commemorate Manuel Lepe September 9th

Manuel Lepe, whose paintings, mostly themes based on the landscape and town scape of his native Puerto Vallarta, put the coastal city on the global art map. As an artist, Lepe enjoyed international success, with exhibitions of his work in several US museums and galleries and in 1979 he received the accolade of Mexico's national artist by President Luis Echevarría. Many credit him with the strong artistic culture that is key to Puerto Vallarta's success as one of Mexico's leading beach resorts. On Wednesday, September 9th, Puerto Vallarta will memorialize her native son through a series of events that are open to the public. At 8:00 am, an honor guard of municipal authorities and students from the 20 de noviembre school will pay their respects in front of the Manuel Lepe mural on Malecón 2, and at 8:00 pm in the central courtyard of City Hall there will be a 'Bohemia Night' of memories and songs, along with anecdotes and photographs of Manuel Lepe. For more information, call the Instituto Vallartense de Cultura at 223-0095 or 322-113-0107.

Authorities Dismantle Drug Lab in Western Mexico

A clandestine laboratory used to make synthetic drugs was dismantled in Concepcion de Buenos Aires, a city in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, the Attorney General's Office said Tuesday. Federal prosecutors, with the support of army troops and Criminal Investigations Agency, or AIC, agents, and specialists in chemicals and other areas, carried out the operation, the AG's office said in a statement. Authorities found five centrifuges of different sizes, five tanks of gas, nine metal drums and other equipment at the site. A variety of chemicals used to manufacture synthetic drugs were seized. The chemicals and other items found at the lab were turned over to the special prosecutor's office in Jalisco, which will destroy the banned items. Investigators are trying to determine who operated the lab.

Taco Fair Part of Puerto Vallarta Fiestas Patrias Celebrations

Don't miss Puerto Vallarta's First Taco Fair, a gastronomic exhibition that celebrates Mexico's flavors, colors, and cultural traditions. Scheduled to be held on Sunday, September 13th from 6-11 pm, the first edition of this event will give you the opportunity to sample all sorts of Mexican fare and a night of family-friendly entertainment in Lázaro Cárdenas Park. A variety of local restaurants will be serving up traditional Mexican foods, like Las Adelitas' Chile, Mole and Pozole; El Coleguita's Taquizas and Parrilladas; El Huarachón's Taco Mío; and other goodies from Burrito Beach, Cafesto, and Taquitos Acapulco-Vallarta. As part of the celebrations, the Ballet Folklorico Xiutla will perform dances representative of Guerrero, Durango, Yucatan, Chiapas, Veracruz and Jalisco on the Lazaro Cardenas Park stage. Admission is free. For more information, call Edgar Cisneros of Stratos Media at 322-199-5081.

'Minions' Breaks Mexico's Admissions Record

Universal and Illumination's prequel Minions is making history at Mexico's box office. At last count, the animated hit had sold more than 16.1 million tickets here, placing it above the previous record-holder, Marvel's The Avengers, which did 15.9 million in attendance. The Avengers still holds Mexico's all-time record in box-office earnings with 827 million pesos (more than $60 million USD.) Minions ranks No. 3 among the year's top grossers in Mexico, behind Avengers: Age of Ultron and Fast & Furious 7, also a Universal release. Animated movies typically perform well in family-friendly Mexico. This week's overall box-office leader, Videocine's Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos, has pulled in 100 million pesos ($6 million) after two weeks in theaters, and it's tracking to eclipse romantic comedy A la Mala as the year's top earner among Mexican releases.

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
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• The Flavors of Nayarit at Si Señor Beach Restaurant

• Fiestas Patrias are Underway in Pitillal

• No Way José Kicks Off Season 7 at La Cantina