It was the question on our lips and in our minds.  What will happen despite the recent setbacks which resulted in a reschedule?  However, despite a heavy police presence Entre Los Arboles, an electronic music festival by Finca Apopori, was a SMASHING SUCCESS!  And, one of the distinct characteristics of the event was it’s calm and relaxed crowd.  It didn’t phase anyone that we were being searched from head to toe nor our purses turned upside down with zealous glee by a militaristic muscle head.  We just smiled and focused on the positive!

The Original Dilemma

Basically, there was an issue of permissions.   Unfortunately for the organizers, the event was shifted into a different category due to public sales of tickets and (even more likely) due to a massive response from said public.  This created a bit of a social media whirlwind as we all saw hashtags like #SiHayMusicaElectronicaEnPereira catch on with event promoters and it’s many supporters.  Thus, Daniel Darubeats and company put out some very tentative press releases that they were going to try to work out the issues diplomatically and reschedule.

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Thanks for checking out our latest story about “Despite Heavy Police Presence, Entre Los Arboles is a Smashing Success!”  If you would like to see more content like this in the future then be sure to pick up a copy of Pereira City Guide the eBook.  Available now on Amazon.com for Kindle!  Each purchase you make helps to ensure that we continue to bring you the Definitive Guide to Pereira in English!

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A Heavy Police Presence

Last night Pereira City Guide rolled into Entre Los Arboles to capture the event for ourselves in whatever form it took on.  We came.  We saw.  And, it was a hit!  One thing positive that (I think) we can say about Colombian police in Pereira, they will play ball if you treat them nice.  The permissions were sorted out and the event went forth as scheduled with flags flying high and banners flip flapping.  It really was a fun, vibrant and even relaxing party.  The police were present but not aggressive, security and medical personnel were onsite but very chill and even seemed to be having a good time.  I’m pretty sure I saw a paramedic dancing to the beat off to one side a bit later.

The Smashing Success

It was nice.  I feel weird as an American saying the word “smashing” but it seems like an appropriate adjective.  First, I must mention the coffee.  Caora Coffee is a Medellin based coffee brand but a very worthy part of the greater movement in Colombia to bring artisan coffee and coffee preparations to Colombians.  With free coffee bonbon shots and a menu of coffee options with or without alcohol, it’s no surprise that they were one of the most popular booths.  Also worth honorable mention was the food truck, Mercadeo, which brought us some tasty options according to our own personal style.  Prana natural market represented with cold drinks and some fresh vegetarian options.  Cheers to all the bartenders who were bringing us top notch drinks as well.  (Daniel (the bartender), if you are reading this: YOUR MARGARITAS made my night!)

The festival itself featured Paolo Mojo as it’s headline DJ along with Lucca, Morris and Julio Garces.  All the styles were their own distinctive resonating sound.  The party kicked off at sundown and by 8:30 the sound was getting intense and the crowd was swelling as late arrivals began to trickle in.  By 9:45 the crowd was getting busy and the night was capped off with a grand fireworks display.  The light-show was a beautiful wedding of nature and technology  with these massive trees as a backdrop and a DJ booth at their center.  Even the most stodgy festival goer was grooving hard to the intense vibes that the DJ’s were putting out.  Very well done!

And where would the festival be without it’s attendees?  What a cool crowd with an estimated 600 attendees who showed up.  Foreign and national I saw plenty of hipsters, hippies, tattooed dudes and dudettes.  In between the lookers were all the “normal” people in their best going-out attire which in and of itself varied widely.  From the “pretty” look adored by Colombia’s elite to the narco-beauty of their women and the “neat-comfortable” of the average Joe who faithfully scraped together 40,000-60,000 pesos so that they could get in on this very colorful scene.  I think the only thing missing is a drag queen, I hope one or two consider attending the next one!  Really though, all are welcome and the crowd was very interactive in spite of it’s stereotypes and social strata!

The Party Abides

A huge thanks to Finca Apopori and all of the sponsors for putting on Entre Los Arboles, a great event which has carved itself a place in local and international tourism participation.  Be sure to like them on Facebook to find out about future events and festivals.  If you are planning a trip to Pereira and this sounds like your scene, be sure to contact them for lodging and tour information.  Usually there is a DJ’ed pool party or special event about once every month and a half.  The party abides, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!

Finca Apopori also happens to be a participant of Pereira City Guide both on our webpage and in Chapter 3: Where to Stay.   Be sure to catch their ad in Pereira City Guide the eBook which will be available July 1st on Amazon for Kindle and iBooks.