The 46th Annual Holiday Music Festival scheduled for December

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Lemanu and Talauega Administration are kicking off the American Samoa Council on Arts, Culture, and Humanities 46th Annual Holiday Music Festival, with all government departments, agencies, offices, and authorities called to “showcase their festive spirit” from December 7- 9, 2023 — that’s 3 days of ASG Christmas Caroling.

In a general memorandum, dated Nov. 9, 2023, Acting Chief of Staff Ms Lydia Amisone informed all the relevant ASG parties that “it is only fitting, that as public servants, we bring joy to our community by celebrating the birth of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ.”

The memo notes that each performance “must be no more than 10 minutes” and the schedule is as follows, In order of their Appearance:

DAY 1 — Friday, Dec. 7: 1.  Governor’s Office plus all its Line Agencies; 2.  Treasury, Shipyard and Program Planning & Budget;  3.  Public Defender, Administrative law Judge, Legal Affairs and OPI/KVZK; 4. Office of Samoan Affairs, TBAS, Retirement Office and Feleti Barstow Public Library; 5. LBJ Hospital; and, 6. DPS and Search & Rescue.

DAY 2 — Saturday, Dec. 8: 1. Fono (Legislature); 2. Human Resources, Administrative Services and DOC; 3. Public Works, ODAPM and Corrections; 4. ASPA; 5. DoH; and 6. Agriculture, Parks & Recreation and DYWA.

DAY 3 — Sunday, Dec. 9: 1. TAOA; 2. DHSS and EPA; 3. DBAS, DMWR, Port Administration and Visitors Bureau; 4. ASTCA, Election Office, OPAD and TEO; 5. ASCC, Homeland Security, Procurement and Property Management; and, 6. Department of Education (DOE).

Venue where the the festival will take place has not been identified, but it often takes place at the Fagatogo malae — Malaeoletalu — across from the Fono, where the ASG, through the First Lady’s Office, decorates its official Christmas Tree for the Territory. Festival hours are further not announced. They usually begin at 6pm each night.

The memo also does not designate specific hours for government employees to officially participate in ’song’ practice, with their offices or departments. In the past, practice usually happens in the late afternoon hours, around 3pm onwards. However, to date, the public has not been informed of early closing hours for any of the departments, agencies or offices.

Government employees have been paid in the past for their song practice hours, but not for their performances.

“We look forward to celebrating the 2023 Annual Christmas Music Festival and ringing in the holiday season through song and cheer,” the Acting Chief of Staff concludes. “Thank you for your support and cooperation.”