7th Annual Musical Saw Festival

Did you know that Astoria hosts a musical saw festival? And that one of the world's foremost musical saw player lives here in town? That would be Natalia 'Saw Lady' Paruz, founder of the festival. I saw her playing in one of the subway stations - no doubt you've seen her, too, at one point.

Here's some info on the festival, coming up on Saturday, July 18:

Join us at the 7th annual Musical Saw Festival in Astoria, where an attempt to break the Guinness World Record of the 'Largest Musical Saw Ensemble' will be conducted. The current record, set in Poland last year, is 27 musical saw players. Will we set a new world record in Astoria on July 18th?

The art form of making music with a carpenter's handsaw has been around for 300 years, but has become almost forgotten since the 1930's. The festival set up to make sure this unique art form does not disappear.

For the past 7 years Astoria became a pilgrimage spot for musical saw players from all over the world. In past years musical saw players from China, Japan, India, Germany, Canada and all over the USA participated. This year we have about 40 sawists coming from Japan, Belgium, Germany, Canada and all over the USA.

When: Saturday, July 18th, 2pm
Where: Trinity Church, 31-18 37th Street (37th street corner of 31st Avenue), Astoria
Admission: $10
Info: www.MusicalSawFestival.org
What: A Guinness World Record attempt for the 'Largest Musical Saw Ensemble'.
Four world premiers of music written especially for the musical saw will be featured, with participation of a string quartet, handbell group and soprano singer. Solos by many musical saw players from around the world and an art exhibit round up the festival. Saw players will also be treated to a workshop.