For the eighth time in 10 years, I attended the High Sierra Music Festival, at the 3,500-foot elevation level in the mountain town of Quincy. I typically attend for one day, as I did this year. Donna and I went up on Saturday, as we were most motivated to see Ben Harper and his band, as well as a late-night set by old-time-country jammers Brokedown in Bakersfield. The beautiful festival site did not disappoint this year, with its wide array of jamming funk, rock, alt-country, new-grass (and more) acts, as well as its particularly colorful, free-spirited audience of many thousands. As per usual, unscripted side shows and surprise moments containing all sorts of artistic self-expression broke out constantly as the audience is just as big a part of the festivals as the bands themselves. We caught Ryan Bingham, Devil Makes Three, Ben Harper, Brokedown in Bakersfield, Railroad Earth, Rubblebucket, and Red Baraat. All photos (c) Alan Sheckter/AlSheck@comcast.net. Republication without documented consent is prohibited.