Author: Ashley Nicole Lombardo

“When I sit and think about the story I’ve stumbled into, I get a wild feeling. Like a slow grin and distant eyes, it’s the look you make when you’ve seen someone trip and catch their fall without a change of emotion. It’s funny, but human. Clumsy and graceful at the same time. I have been planning, scouting, researching, talking, dreaming, worrying, and preparing for something finally about to happen. It’s here, and I’m ready. I’m shedding layers like a snake, picking up my life and planting it somewhere else. It’s all sweet, not sour, leaving what has been my forever home. So much newness is before me. New means less graceful, more clumsy. That’s cool, because I can laugh about it. When I tell my story, I’ll reflect on how moving to Portland, an entirely different city, has sculpted another facet of my life as a multidimensional playwright. Portland, let’s get weird.”

High Sierra Music Festival 2017

Traveled from Reno, Nevada

High Sierra Music Festival 2017

Plumas County Fairgrounds

Quincy, California

“My year is split between looking forward to High Sierra and reminiscing about High Sierra. It creates an incredibly positive, free and beautiful environment that you want to bask in year round. Every where you look, people have the biggest smiles on their faces, which is contagious. I’ve met some of my best friends here and created memories for a lifetime. No place is like it and that’s why I’m a lifer.”

High Sierra Music Festival 2017

Traveled from San Francisco, California

High Sierra Music Festival 2017

Plumas County Fairgrounds

Quincy, California

“I met my girlfriend at this festival two years ago. It wasn’t immediately romantic. We fell into a very fun and trusting friendship. A setting free of expectation and social norms allowed us to bond as our true selves. Festivals allow me to be the best version of myself: open, honest, and carefree. In this state of mind, I’m able to connect more meaningfully with others. The music is often just a vehicle.”

High Sierra Music Festival 2017

Traveled from Oakland, California

High Sierra Music Festival 2017

Plumas County Fairgrounds

Quincy, California

“Live the life you love. I work at festivals, and sometimes I forget that it’s so special I can do this for a living. High Sierra Music Festival was one of the very first festivals I went to in 2002 or maybe 2003. This year, tons of people have been coming up to me reminding me of when I was a totally different person. Not in a bad way, just in a different way. And it’s really interesting to see how far I’ve come from that part of my life. It makes me think back and realize I am living the life I love and loving the life I live.”

High Sierra Music Festival 2017

Traveled from Boise, Idaho

High Sierra Music Festival 2017

Plumas County Fairgrounds

Quincy, California

“The cool thing about magic, and life in general, is that change is magic. If you look at something, and you have enough belief, you can see it change right in front of you. I believe everyone has energy, so everyone has a bit of magic. All the tricks I’m doing, I created. The guy who taught me to build my own tricks and stage performance made me sit down and give him the definition of magic. It took me about 3 weeks to figure it out. Magic is the art of not knowing. True magic is what you don’t see—it’s what inspires you.”

High Sierra Music Festival 2017

Traveled from Quincy, California

High Sierra Music Festival 2017

Plumas County Fairgrounds

Quincy, California