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

Vida Fest, an International Festival of Comedy, Circus & Street Arts, this Weekend

With a rate of 13.5 suicides per every 100 thousand young people, suicide is a global phenomenon that occurs in all regions of the world. According to WHO data released in 2016, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for 15- to 29-year-olds, after accidents and homicide. It's also thought that at least 25 attempts are made for every completed suicide. According to state statistics, suicide is on the rise among young people in Jalisco, so the city of Puerto Vallarta is hosting the 5th edition of "Vida Fest" (Life Fest) this weekend. Set to take place March 3, 4, and 5 at the "Aquiles Serdán" Open Air Theater and along the Malecón all the way to the lighthouse, the festival is a non-profit event which seeks to generate social awareness about the problem of suicide through cultural activities such as circus, street theater, clown art, music, workshops and many other free activities. The participating companies this year are: Pata de Perro, All Staar Circus, Clown Yap, Balam Clown, Chicken Bun, Circus Lodum, Danzirco, Trix Company, Mimox Storytelling, Chepetin and Partner, Santi Mutante and Mauri K, and finally Ciboulette. For the full schedule of events, click HERE. For more information, visit the Vida Fest Vallarta event page on Facebook.

Pendant Supporting Banderas Bay Women's Shelter Now on Sale

Help support the Banderas Bay Women's Shelter and change the lives of women and children, survivors of domestic violence. Thanks to our friend, Georgia Darehshori and Casa Karma, Puerto Vallarta and to Joyeria Diamante Azul (Blue Diamond Jeweler) for supplying the silver at wholesale costs, we are able to offer this beautiful pendant, designed and signed by Alfredo Franco to everyone who sets up a monthly donation to Compassion for the Family Inc. Donations can be set up on the not for profit website CompassionForTheFamilyMx.org. Pay by credit card or by setting up a Paypal account. Donations can also be received at Compassion for the Family Inc., 115 13th Street SE, Altoona, IA 50009. Donations are tax deductible for US citizens. The Banderas Bay Women's Shelter is working with Vida Reavivida/Compassion for the Family Inc. and Mexican Social Services to provide an immediate, temporary and safe living environment for women and children who are the victims of domestic violence; to prepare them to be financially independent through jobs, education, non interest small business loans; and to assist them in living a life free of violence through professional counseling. For more information, please visit CompassionForTheFamilyMx.org

Beef Dip Producer Steve Buczek Donates $70,050 pesos to SETAC

One of the many exciting events that took place during the 14th annual Beefdip bear and leather week in Puerto Vallarta was the Beefdip and Alphonse Swimwear Tidal Wave – Pool Party and Fashion Show. Held at Mantamar Beach Club on February 2, this year's pool party was a fundraiser benefiting Los Niños de Magisterio, R.I.S.E. Orphanage, and the SETAC Community Center. Party-goers enjoyed complementary snacks, food & drink specials, and music by special guest DJ & Producer José Spinnin Cortez of Guadalajara. The swimwear, modeled by handsome, cuddly, beefy Bears, thrilled the 200 attendees at a poolside party. In addition to a raffle of swimwear, custom-made and donated by Alphonse, event proceeds came from personal donations. In a gesture of gratitude, SETAC donated a basket containing several bottles of liquor for the raffle, offered free STD informational brochures and condoms to all attendees, and provided balloons to add to the event's decorations. The producer of Beef Dip, Steve Buczek of Toronto, Canada, presented the Community Center with a donation of $70,050 pesos, which will help SETAC continue to bring the tools of education and prevention of HIV directly to Puerto Vallarta residents and visitors. According to SETAC Director Paco Arjona, the donation will be used to implement 4th generation rapid HIV testing, as well as Quick Hepatitis B, C and Chlamydia Testing, all of which will prepare them to introduce the PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) pill, which will help reduce the number of new HIV infections. SETAC wishes to thank Steve Buczek, Alphonse Deserville, and all of the fun friendly "bears" who attended the 2017 Beefdip and Alphonse Swimwear Tidal Wave – Pool Party and supported their commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS in Puerto Vallarta.

Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra Sunday Concerts at The Jazz Foundation

The Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra is coming of age fast! Officially established in September 2016, only 5 months ago, Puerto Vallarta's first and only youth-based jazz orchestra has already been invited to perform the first Sunday of every month at The Jazz Foundation, Allende 116, just a few feet off the Malecón and across the street from La Bodegita del Medio in downtown Puerto Vallarta. While the usual big band orchestra is comprised of 18 musicians, the Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra has grown to 27 members and has already given several fundraising concerts - at Act II Stages in Puerto Vallarta, The Breakers Beach Club Restaurant and Bar in Bucerías, and at Plaza Caracol in Puerto Vallarta. The first performance at The Jazz Foundation will be on March 5th, with concerts scheduled for the first Sunday of the month, 12 months a year. Performance times will be at 7:00 pm. A supporting fee of 100 pesos, in lieu of a cover charge, will be directly donated to the band. For more information, call The Jazz Foundation at 322-113-0295.

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
Click on titles for more information

• Entreamigos' Ninth Annual Children's Art Festival

• TREG's Fifth Annual Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Fair

• Sixth Annual Riverfest to Benefit Pasitos de Luz at El Rio BBQ