The Buffalodown, Vol. 2, Issue 24
Stories & Events for Social Connection
By Seamus Gallivan
- Salute to Slow Roll
- Musings on Music: Who in Buffalo is like Bela Fleck?
- Featured Events: 23 this week, always encouraging submissions!
- Listening Links: Favorite subjects here – music, politics and media
Welcome to the Buffalodown, thank you for your attention!
Thanks to all who read and responded to my call here last week to support the nonprofit watchdog journalism of Investigative Post – after enjoyed a packed house for their fundraiser at the Sportsmen’s Tavern, we’re planning an expanded offering of events to help grow their member base and continue their deep coverage of issues that matter in our community. Much more to come!
Sending a salute as well to the volunteer board and squad of Slow Roll Buffalo, an organization I cofounded and served for a decade before leaving in late 2023 to launch Reconnecter, which was inspired in great part by my experience with Slow Roll – witnessing both our collective and deeply individual desire for social connection, compounded by Buffalo’s status as one of America’s most segregated cities, complete with a highway carved through its heart and lungs.
Slow Roll at its best serves as an antidote to the forces that separate us, from formative fears to institutional barriers. Now in its 12th season of providing free and inclusive community bike rides, Slow Roll Buffalo is currently both in midseason form – with 14 Monday night rides down and 12 to go this year – and also undergoing an organizational restructuring that’s increasing my optimism for its future.
Fresh off of an immersive article in The Buffalo News and their biggest turnout of 2025 this past Monday with their first ride from The Buffalo Zoo, Slow Roll turns now to the continuation of two rides that I was honored to spearhead:
- Waterkeeper Ride in partnership with Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper this coming Monday, August 11th
- Harvest Roll, a ticketed ride spotlighting our urban farms and food systems on Saturday, August 16th
After a decade of parading around like a pied piper with a bullhorn calling for everyone’s attention, I’ve so enjoyed rolling quietly among the pack over these past two years, and I’m encouraged by the evolution of Slow Roll – as always, please say hey if you see me there!
WKBW coverage of this past Monday’s ride with The Buffalo Zoo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucYZbG6D_W4
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Musings on Music
Who in Buffalo is any bit like Bela Fleck?
This past Friday in Skaneateles, I had the joy of seeing the genre-bending banjo player Bela Fleck in concert, with his brilliant new “BEATrio” – Bela, Edmar Castañeda on harp, and Antonio Sánchez on drums on a magical trip of original music, all able to go joyfully in any direction in tune with each other’s whims, while laughing at the declaration that they might be the world’s first banjo-harp-drum trio.
Bela has made a career of such exploration, ignoring norms that limit the banjo to certain stages and styles, creating his own groups like the Flecktones and collaborating with countless more musicians from duos to orchestras. In the most basic sense, he’s so spellbinding that I’d see him anywhere with anyone – a notion that led me to wonder, who in Buffalo is any bit like Bela? Regardless of instrument, and refusing to compare anyone to Bela’s long and winding career arc, who could play seemingly anything with anyone, and is just so singularly interesting to hear and see perform?
The first name that came up for me is keyboard wizard Harry Graser. His innate feel for the soul of a song and the space to play his part in it, plus ability to recreate sounds on the spot has made him a go-to for musicians building new or special-occasion bands. And when playing solo, his soft touch is simply splendid – see below for a series of videos as evidence.
I feel so fortunate to have Harry as a first-call part of Buffalodown events – more to come about those soon, please stay tuned! And in the meantime, look for the low-key Harry onstage all over Western New York – you won’t find him on social media, salute to that, too…
Harry with a solo song:
As a duo with Alex McArthur:
As part of the Alex McArthur Quartet:
As part of Guabaza:
As a ringer with Grosh at the Reconnecter Revelation:
Backing Tyler Westcott at the Buffalodown: Living the Dream
As part of Dirty Work: A Tribute to Steely Dan
On a Broadway showtune:
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Events in the Week Ahead
Thanks to all who’ve submitted their events! Welcoming submissions with a flyer and link to seamus@reconnecter.org.
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Listening Links
The Anxious Generation with Jonathan Haidt – What Now? with Trevor Noah – “Haidt, noted social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation, sits down with Trevor and Christiana to discuss how smartphones and social media are harming Gen Z – and really all of us. He encourages claiming back third spaces, championing anti-fragility, and…maybe letting your kid go take a walk.”
Patrick Hallahan: Music & Magic – Embracing Enchantment – “In this engaging conversation, host Megan Hamilton speaks with Patrick Hallahan, the drummer of My Morning Jacket, about the band’s journey, the dynamics of long-term relationships in music, and the spiritual essence of artistic expression.
“They explore profound moments in performances, the role of music in fostering hope and humanity, and the importance of nurturing one’s inner child. The discussion highlights the significance of love, empathy, and community in both music and life, emphasizing that art can serve as a powerful tool for connection and healing.”
AI is Killing the Internet – Today, Explained – “In a first-of-its-kind decision, an AI company wins a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by authors. It’s part of a larger fight that is remaking the internet.”
A New Middle East? – Ezra Klein Show – “For decades, Israel has wanted American support to bomb Iranian nuclear sites. But U.S. presidents, both Republican and Democrat, have resisted — until President Trump. So, what changed? And what are the likely consequences of that decision?”
Thank YOU for reading this far and being part of it all – extra thanks to everyone supporting this work with a membership at www.reconnecter.org!
Please share with friends to sign up for next week’s Buffalodown, and reach out with any feedback, all ideas welcome!
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