Festivals and Fragile Ecosystems: the Return of Ad Sidera Semper

Updated November 1 to include comments from the Ministry of Environment Bocas del Toro regional office.

• Ad Sidera Semper, an electronic music festival, has returned for its third year, moving to Red Frog Beach in Bocas del Toro after two previous events at Bluff Beach.
• The event has sparked local controversy, with residents and conservationists concerned about potential environmental impacts on the island’s wildlife.
• While supporters highlight the festival’s potential economic boost for local tourism, opponents stress its threat to fragile ecosystems
• The discussion over Ad Sidera Semper brings to light the tension between promoting tourism and preserving natural habitats on the island.

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, the allure of nature tourism as a means to boost local economies is undeniable. However as more festivals and large-scale events are held in scenic, delicate ecosystems, we’re often left with the question: how much can nature truly accommodate without losing its essence? This complex dance between economic opportunity and environmental conservation forms the backdrop of Ad Sidera Semper, a festival that has stirred both enthusiasm and opposition in the Bocas del Toro community. As local stakeholders weigh the cultural and economic benefits against the ecological consequences, the question remains—how can we strike a balance that respects both nature and the drive for economic growth?

Ad Sidera Semper 2022 and 2023 Bluff Beach Editions

Ad Sidera Semper means forever to the stars in Latin. “Music, wellness, art and community” is touted on its Instagram profile. The electronic festival made its debut in October of 2022 on Bluff Beach. Billed as a high-end destination electronic festival, advocates for the Ad Sidera Semper have championed its commercial potential, with the prospect of attracting upscale tourists and new investors to the island.

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The neighbors in Bluff Beach were less excited.

“We all opposed it when it happened for two years out here in Bluff Beach,” wrote Kim Murhle on Facebook, responding to a discussion about the upcoming 2024 edition. “The music went loudly nonstop for 4-5 nights. Neighbors who couldn’t sleep got up to see no one out there at 2am until dawn and yet the music and bright lights continued. Not too respectful for the sea turtles or the whole neighborhood, including people miles away who couldn’t sleep either.”

Sasá Ferri confirmed the same about the 2022 edition, “We live 500m past La Coralina, about 3 km from the area of the party. We could hear the music and see the lights from our home.”

One of the festival goers uploaded a video of himself riding up and down a stretch of Bluff Beach on ATV, which is explicitly prohibited by all rental companies upon signing waivers and handing over keys to the vehicle, principally because of turtle nesting.

In July of 2023 community members started to notice social media ads for a repeat edition and vocalized their opposition to it. Cecilia Brecciaroli sounded the alarm on a July 22 post in a local Facebook group: “Is it true that in October there will be an electronic festival in BLUFF, this being a NATURE RESERVE with animals, such as endangered turtles? Will they really take their speakers, fireworks and lights, to the middle of the house of these birds, sloths, monkeys, turtles, etc?? Tell me it’s a joke please 🙏”

Residents questioned why authorities would allow such activity on Bluff Beach. Because it has been declared a “Municipal Nature Reserve,” it is commonly thought of as a protected area. However in both 2022 and 2023, permits were given for the festival, so it is not exactly clear what the Municipal Nature Reserve status achieves, even though it was put on the Panamanian law books officially in 2016 with a reference to “Bluff Beach 200 meters inland from high tide for sea turtle conservation.”

Cristina Ordoñez of Sea Turtle Conservancy penned a letter to then Bocas del Toro Mayor Emiliano Torres stating her professional concern that the area is a turtle nesting zone into the month November and the festival activity could compromise nesting sites.

In a meeting with Mayor Torres on September 12, 2023, he stated that he granted permission for “the activity itself, not the place.”

Find our complete coverage of the 2023 event in this article here “Can Party Tourism Coexist with a Nature Reserve?”

Bluff Businesses Reject the 2024 Festival

We spoke with each of the businesses involved in hosting the festival goers in 2023. Not all of them were on board. One anonymous proprietor said “We are completely against the party, but we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. We cannot rent the rooms to non-party people because the music is four days long, 24 hours a day, very loud, so either we rent to some of the party people that are coming, or we close, and we have a full staff and I don’t want to not pay them and it’s low season, so, unfortunately, we have to be open, but we don’t agree with it.”

This year some of the like-minded neighboring hotels banded together to reject a third Ad Sidera Semper on Bluff Beach, opting to return renting to guests who prefer Bluff with its regular peaceful programming; the sounds of ocean waves and wildlife.

Ad Sidera organizers Eric Humbert told us in a recent interview that Red Frog has always been his preferred location for the event, because there is infrastructure that is more suitable and there would be less environmental impact.

Red Frog Beach, Bastimentos Island

Red Frog Beach: The New Frontier for Ad Sider Semper

A frequent Red Frog guest over the last four years, Humbert describes walking around the resort and the beach and fantasizing about the festival that is about to come to fruition. “It’s probably literally one of the best places in all of Bocas del Toro to have this event,” says Humbert. “The permits are on beach land. It’s public land and the location within Red Frog is the furthest possible location that it has away from the boundaries of the National Forest on Bastimentos. At the park, there will be absolutely zero noise, or definitely not enough to impact any wildlife.”

Originally from Puerto Rico, Humbert spent years on the road working in concert production on Lollapalooza tours, and with acts such as Metallica, Beastie Boys and Luis Miguel. He has experience with sound, light and enrvironmental impact and intends to do it right. This will be the first year he’s involved with the production side of Ad Sidera Semper. He attended the first edition on Bluff Beach where he bonded with one of the founders of the event. The inaugural festival was an ode to a father who had passed away. Humbert’s father too had recently passed, so he felt a personal connection and “really appreciated the kind of energy that surrounded the event.” With Humbert’s background of 150 Lollapalooza festival productions, he was recruited as a partner, joining the team one month before the October 2023 Ad Sidera Semper on Bluff Beach, according to a recent interview.

Eric Humbert

“Now, another aspect of this was: when is this event? It’s during Fiestas Patrias. I’ve been to Red Frog twice already during Fiestas Patrias. Every single villa is packed. It’s all Panamanians and they’re all partying. I’ve been in villas there, the closest one to the park at six in the morning, pumping with sound. Everywhere is sold out. It’s the biggest single weekend of the entire year for every single business in town. With our impact, we’re not building places for our guests to stay or tents in addition to the villas and everything. So the only really difference is the sound aspect of it.”

Humbert says none of the event lighting will not penetrate the jungle because of the way the lighting systems are being positioned and that The Point restaurant structure will block light from the jungle as well.

Humbert estimates that those who oppose the event are in a more vocal minority. “I know every single homeowner, whether they live there or not. I’ve met them over the years…Out of the 90 members of the Red Frog HOA, I believe 75% of the homeowners in Red Frog want the event or don’t care and 25% are against it…They destroyed tons of habitat to build that place and people knowing that bought into that place and they bought into a resort with an HOA, with rules and regulations and parties. And there’s rules about parties there.”

Opposition to the Red Frog Location

Like the Bluff neighborhood, some Red Frog Beach residents have come out to express concerns about the environmental impact of the event. The area of the festival location is on a known turtle nesting beach, during the end of the hatching season, and it is in close proximity to the jungle and sea areas of the Bastimentos National Marine Park, which is a protected area.

“While we appreciate the importance of tourism to the economy of Bocas, a continuous 24 hour a day, five day outdoor rave on Red Frog Beach would be very harmful to our precious environment and wildlife. There are more appropriate indoor venues in Bocas. Preserving our resources by choosing to have environmentally responsible events now, will assure that there will be tourism in the future,” wrote Red Frog resident Scott Small on Facebook, sharing the link to an on-line petition.

Small expanded on his position with an AI-generated summary of how jungle wildlife could be affected by the upcoming Ad Sidera event:

“A 5 day rave festival with loud music running 24/7 in a protected nature reserve would likely have significant environmental impacts on the local wildlife. Here’s a breakdown of potential effects on different types of animals:

Sloths: Sloths are generally very sensitive to disturbances due to their slow movement and reliance on the environment for food and shelter. Loud music and human activity could cause stress, disrupt their feeding patterns, and potentially lead to disorientation.

Frogs: Frogs are particularly sensitive to noise pollution because many species rely on vocalizations for mating. Continuous loud music could interfere with their breeding calls, potentially affecting their reproductive success and overall population.

Bats: Bats use echolocation for navigation and hunting insects. Excessive noise from the festival could interfere with their ability to echolocate, leading to difficulties in finding food and navigating their environment. This could result in reduced foraging efficiency and increased stress.

Nesting Turtles: If the festival is near nesting sites, the noise and light pollution could disturb nesting turtles and their hatchlings. Female turtles may avoid nesting in disturbed areas, and hatchlings could be disoriented by lights and sounds, leading to increased predation and decreased survival rates.

Birds: Birds use vocalizations for communication, mating, and territorial defense. Constant noise could disrupt these essential activities, leading to stress, changes in behavior, and potential impacts on breeding success. Nesting birds may abandon their nests or have reduced hatching success.

Monkeys: Monkeys are highly social and rely on vocal communication within their groups. Noise pollution could disrupt their social structures and foraging behaviors. Additionally, the presence of humans and loud sounds could cause stress, which might impact their overall health and reproductive success.

In addition to noise pollution, the physical presence of a festival could lead to habitat degradation through trampling, litter, and potential introduction of pollutants. The cumulative effects of noise and physical disruption could have serious consequences for the ecological balance and health of the reserve.

To mitigate these impacts, it’s essential to consider alternative locations for such events or implement measures to reduce noise and human activity near sensitive wildlife areas.”

Isla Colon resident Eve Scholtz collected 129 physical signatures in opposition to the festival location, while presenting two studies from the Smithsonian Institute and one from Cambridge University emphasizing how sound and light effects marine and jungle wildlife, along with a letter from The Sloth Institute.

Maiky Coronado, a business owner on Red Frog Beach, advocated for a location change, as part of a September 24 statement: “The fight for the conservation of protected areas is essential, and it’s important that the voices of those living in these residential areas and wildlife zones are heard. Striking a balance between tourism development and environmental preservation is crucial, with alternatives such as relocating the festival to more suitable areas, possibly in collaboration with some or all of the local nightclubs on Isla Colón. This solution could benefit everyone: festival organizers, the business community, residents, the local wildlife, and visitors to these areas.”

At the time of this publication, the “Stop the Environmental Threat” petition has gathered 586 signatures. The petition and a summary of the community’s environmental concerns were shared with the Ministry of Environment Bocas del Toro department.

On November 1st, the Ministry of Environment sent us a statement in regards to the event, translated by The Bocas Breeze:

“According to research, high-decibel noise and intense lighting are harmful to seabirds, turtles, and other animals, as they are highly susceptible to these disturbances.

MiAMBIENTE, as an environmental authority, was not consulted about this type of festival. Had we been consulted, we would have opposed it, as, with migratory birds, these species are capable of remembering events (such as loud noises and bright lights) that endanger or disrupt their rest. During future migrations, they may avoid passing through or resting in such areas. Bocas del Toro serves as a natural “funnel” through which millions of birds travel from north to south on the continent. Approximately 5.7 million migratory birds of prey pass through this area.

Amphibians, like the red frog, are also affected, as the disco’s night lighting will make them more easily detected by predators. Furthermore, their mating calls may not reach females, leading to a decline in their reproduction rate.

MiAMBIENTE will monitor the area during those days and prepare respective reports. Any administrative infraction will be referred to the legal advisory department in Changuinola for due processing. We are, and will continue to be, guardians of the environment, as mandated by our constitution.”

Proponents of Ad Sidera Semper

Six days after the anti-outdoor festival petition was published, one in favor of the event started circulating: Apoyar ADSIDERA y el Desarrollo Turístico, Artístico y Sostenible de Bocas del Toro, or “Support ADSIDERA and the Development of Bocas del Toro Tourism and Art.”

An excerpt reads “As residents of Bocas del Toro, we have seen how a small group of people have imposed their will to prevent the arrival of new residents and tourists to our beautiful island. This attitude has resulted in economic stagnation and has hindered the promotion of our rich culture by a few foreigners whose only investment is the construction of their houses on land with possessory rights, which do not even pay taxes in Panama. But we want to change that. We wish to promote social development through tourism and the organization of multidisciplinary events with global artists. We firmly believe that the development of global events such as AD SIDERA SEMPER and the arrival of renowned artists will increase the attractiveness of Bocas del Toro for international visitors, boost the local economy and highlight our culture.“

This petition made its rounds and currently has 532 signatures.

Though they appear to be less eager to campaign on-line about the merits of Ad Sidera Semper, some in the community that have come forward in support of this activity, sharing the petition in favor. On October 30, 2024, a WhatsApp chat of local business owners applauded the efforts of the organizers to bring famous DJs to the island and the type of international exposure the event will garner. Local restaurateur Solomon Chocron Ezerzer wrote:

“We should be grateful to the organizers of this event for putting the archipelago in the spotlight. For the third consecutive year, they are bringing in the biggest and most famous DJs. To give you an idea, they are bringing the ‘Messi’ of electronic music. Let’s show more appreciation for all that private investment is doing for the island. I hope the people in this group get a chance to attend the event. The effort they’re making is monumental, and what you’ll see will be unlike anything Bocas has ever experienced.”

The Messi of Electronic Music referred to here is Hernan Catteo of Argentina, famous for pioneering Progressive House.

Panama City native Poulett Morales is a Red Frog villa owner who is excited about what an event like Ad Sidera Semper brings to the picture:

“It feels like a high-end event where you can’t even believe you’re in Panama—it’s an amazing experience that needs to be repeated. Yes, I saw that some property owners were complaining about the sound here and there, but I feel it’s a tremendous opportunity for people from Panama to visit Red Frog, explore Bastimentos Island, and discover the different options the island has to offer. I wish we could have many more events like this to attract tourism. We need tourism on the island. We need to drive the island’s economy somehow. Events like this are what help move the economy forward. We need more of this. Let’s keep promoting tourism in Panama, in Bocas del Toro.”

Poulett Morales pictured right

Community Outreach

Eric Humbert says that in order for him to participate in Ad Sidera Semper, he had certain demands: to keep the event small, as a commitment to Bocas del Toro, for there to be professional marketing and production crews and for community outreach to be a part of the festival’s culture.

Since moving from Puerto Rico to Panama, before getting involved with this festival, Humbert and his family has supported Bocas del Toro coral reef restoration projects, the needs of local school children on various occasions and other community projects in other parts of Panama.

This year’s Ad Sidera Semper production will benefit Urraca Monkey Island and the Monkey Island Foundation. One could say that Monkey Island blurs the lines between a wildlife refuge and a zoo, disregarding certain tenets of wildlife conservation. Nonetheless it seems to be a destination popular even among known animal lovers in the community that aims to something positive for wildlife in the area. Monkey Island founder Francine Roy had this to say about the event:

“I have been living with monkeys for over 15 years, I know them very well, and I do not believe that this activity of a few days will affect the lives of the monkeys in Red Frog.  Capuchin monkeys are super intelligent and if this activity is going to generate a lot of noise because of the music, the island of Bastimentos is very big they will move away to be in peace.

Right now, what should be a bigger priority for the people of Bocas, is not whether the noise of an activity will affect them but rather which electrical cables will risk their lives.

The residents of Bocas must prepare themselves for big changes in the development of tourism. They will have to face other situations like this or similar in the future.

I saw a petition on Facebook to stop this activity. I am really surprised by the opposition to this activity because it will generate income in Bocas, hotels, restaurants, captains, businesses. This is a point not to forget, especially at this time of year.”

Sloth Speedway in action. Photo courtesy of The Sloth Institute @theslothinstitute on Instagram

The Sloth Institute and Local Liaisons Decline to Participate

With roads widening, canopy thinning and more development, there is an effort to install wildlife crossings (Sloth Speedways) on Isla Colon and also in Bastimentos, especially in the Red Frog resort area where sloths have been vulnerable to dog attacks when they come to the ground.

Steve Jacoby and Catherine Russell have led the charge on this, with the guidance and support of The Sloth Institute in Costa Rica. Their original proposal for wildlife crossings in Bastimentos was for a few of the businesses in the area to cover the necessary funding for the installations.

Jacoby explained, “I have been working with the residents at Red Frog to install rope bridges for wildlife. We approached the management at Red Frog for funding. They turned us down but said we should seek funding from the organization putting on the beach rave on Basti. To be clear, we rejected this suggestion and have not received, or agreed to receive, funding for this purpose from this group.”

Sam Trull, Director of The Sloth Institute had this to say: “I have not spoken to any of the organizers from this event. Furthermore, while we are a non-profit organization that works solely on donations and grants, our policy is to not accept donations from any company that does not have the wildlife’s best interest at heart. Greenwashing is a serious problem for conservation initiatives and we work really hard to avoid partnering with any company that doesn’t meet our ethical guidelines.”

October 31 to November 5, 2024

Today, October 31, 2024 Ad Sidera Semper kicks off another festival in Bocas del Toro, and as you can read in this report, with mixed reactions. Some of the community feels we are at a crossroads, faced with a pivotal choice between short-term gains and long-term conservation. Others believe the impact of a resort the magnitude of Red Frog Beach Island Resort has already drawn a literal line between the sand and the jungle; that the area is perfectly appropriate for an event like this, especially with a una vez al ano no hace daño type of attitude, meaning it’s not a very frequent occurrence for Bocas del Toro, yet. Events like these hold immense potential to attract international exposure and economic benefits, but they also risk eroding the very natural landscapes that define Bocas del Toro’s allure. How do we proceed in a way that fosters growth while honoring the natural world? This tension between development and preservation challenges us to rethink tourism as something that can be sustainable—where cultural vibrancy and environmental stewardship go hand in hand for the prosperity of the community.

Ad sidera semper 2022, Bluff Beach