By Antonia Morales
Not everyone is familiar with the art form that is musical saw playing, but for the past eight years, Astoria’s Natalia Paruz, also known as the Saw Lady, attempts to expose hundreds of people to her unique music and preserve 300 years of traditional saw playing.
Saw playing is the use of a carpenter’s saw to make music. The saw is normally played using a bow, similar to the bows used to play string instruments, or it can be struck with a mallet, like those used for xylophones.
The eighth annual Musical Saw Festival, which will take place at the Hellenic Culture Center in Astoria, will have various performers displaying their talents and give the people of Queens an interesting experience.
Paruz, who founded and is the director of the festival, is proud of what the event has accomplished over the years.
“There has been a growing interest,” said Paruz. “The festival has had a part in promoting the art form.”
This year, Paruz is expecting to have more than 30 saw players, with the guests of honor being three performers from Japan. She said having a large number of performers adds something special to the festival.
“Traditionally, [saw playing] was just something you teach yourself,” said Paruz. “That’s part of the charm of seeing all the different players. They developed their own techniques.”
The festival will have performers playing in various musicals styles, including classical and jazz. There will be soloists and ensembles, as well as a trio who will perform a new song by composer Eyal Bat. This premiere has been described by Paruz as a “historical first,” because she said it is the only musical piece known to have been written for the saw.
Paruz also sees something special in having the event in Astoria. She knows of people in the neighborhood who appreciate having a festival like this close by, so they would not have to travel out to Manhattan.
“I don’t want to move it to Manhattan,” she said. “I’m from Queens. I’m from Astoria. I want to give back to my community. It’s important to have the arts in our own neighborhood. And the community has been the most supportive. It warms my heart.”
An international event, with players traveling from several countries to play, the festival brings a lot of positive attention to Queens, Paruz said.
“It has become a pilgrimage spot for saw players from around the world,” she said. “People think New York City is only Manhattan. I get to spread the word out about Queens.”
Paruz is happy to be able to share her love of saw playing and is thankful for all the help she has received from the Queens Council of the Arts.
“I am so grateful for their amazing support,” she said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”
