Puerto Vallarta, 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 upcoming happenings around the Bay, a few community announcements, and a couple of this weekend's events that you won't want to miss.

9th Annual San Pancho Sinegiarte Festival

The Colectivo San Pancho extends an open invitation to its 9th annual Sinegiarte Festival from December 20-28th. Titled "Por Todas Mis Relaciones" (For All My Relations), the event celebrates the fusion of art and culture in San Francisco, also known as "San Pancho" and the Cultural Capital of the Riviera Nayarit. For the past nine years the main objective of the festival has been to share the work of the local arts community, providing visibility and exposure while giving the community at large a look at art and trends from other regions, all of which serves to enrich the area and encourages exploration and growth within the sector. Artists engaging in different disciplines will come together to exhibit and share their talent. Several multi disciplinary activities will take place simultaneously, including workshops, conferences, debates, projections and shows. For more details and information about the Sinegiarte Festival, click HERE.

Making Art Together for Los Mangos Library

Every year Biblioteca Los Mangos organizes an annual art auction to raise money for the many community services and cultural activities at Puerto Vallarta's Public Library. At this time they are asking local artists to participate in the XV ART AUCTION to be held on January 29, 2015. Domestic and foreign artists can participate with works in any discipline, to a maximum of three pieces per artist, ensuring greater participation. Additionally, participants may donate works of other artists which they own. To participate, applicants must fill out an online registration form for each work submitted, available until January 7, 2015. In doing so, the applicant authorizes Los Mangos Library to use the information about the work for promotional purposes and for publishing an online catalog. Works will go through a selection process by a curatorial board formed by participating gallery owners, which has the dual intention of filtering quality and building bridges between artists and the art market. The list of selected works will be published on the auction's website no later than January 10, 2015, by which time the artist will be notified by email. As a fund raising event, selling the artwork involves donating a minimum 50% of the sale price for the operation of Los Mangos Library. However, the artist or owner of the work may specify a higher percentage grant, if he or she prefers. Please remember that Los Mangos Library is not "just a library." It is a true community and cultural center. By joining in the event, you will be able to give back to our community. Folks, the coffers are nearly empty – so, if you are an artist, please help us raise funds to support the operation of the Library.

Mexican Art Nativity Scenes at Galería Colectica

Just in time for the Christmas holidays, Galeria Colectica, located on the corner of G. Sanchez and Allende in downtown Puerto Vallarta, is presenting a special collection of Mexican folk art nativity scenes. The collection, which includes Huichol hand beaded scenes, white clay from Santa Maria Oaxaca, black clay from San Bartolo, Oaxaca, Day of the Dead-inspired nativities, and others, continues through January 3rd. The gallery will also exhibit photos of the incredible nativity that artists Jacobo and Maria Angeles from San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca, created this year for the Vatican Museum. The state of Oaxaca commissioned a 1200-piece nativity that was created by 142 different families. The renowned couple was responsible for creating the angel, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, and presented it to Pope Francis on December 10, 2014.

Health Care Information Presentation in La Cruz

On Friday, December 19 at 2:00 pm Pamela Thompson will present health care information including SkyMed – an emergency evacuation service. Pamela Thomson is a dedicated and knowledgeable local health care resource person and will discuss a wide variety of medical facilities and physicians available in our area. Also presenting is Pamela Bendall, a veteran cruiser in North, Central and South America and the new SkyMed specialist specifically dedicated to cruisers. Although the presentation is focused on cruisers, the information is applicable to all. Join us in the VIP Lounge of Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle on Friday, December 19, at 2:00 pm. We don't have the luxury of planning our medical emergencies, so be prepared now!

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
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• Holiday Shopping at Old Town Farmers Market

• El Arrayán Saturday Mexican Cooking Class

• Waterside Art Shows on Marina Nuevo Vallarta Malecón