The star of Capital One Center’s next Perchfest will be a green ogre who speaks with a distinct Scottish brogue.
The Tysons development has teamed up with “Shrek the Musical” for the latest edition of its biannual festival, which will return to The Perch (1805 Capital One Drive) next Friday and Saturday (Sept. 20 and 21).
Featuring food, entertainment and mini golf, among other activities, the fall festival will coincide with the start of Shrek’s three-day run at Capital One Hall, kicking off a fourth season of the performing arts venue’s “Broadway in Tysons” series.
“Capital One Center is delighted to team up with Broadway’s Shrek the Musical for a Shrektastic weekend as we celebrate the 7th annual Perchfest…which has become a festive tradition for Capital One associates and the Tysons community,” Capital One Center’s head of public affairs Meghan Trossen said in a media advisory.
During Perchfest, the elevated plaza will host Shrek-themed activities, including a “swamp twist” to the Perch Putt mini golf course, and some of Capital One Center’s eateries will serve limited-time menu items, such as Shrek-Green Margaritas from Ometeo.
The Watermark Hotel is also joining the action with “festive” suites and special guests rappelling down its exterior, according to the advisory.
Just before their first of five scheduled performances at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, the musical’s cast will appear at 7:15 p.m. to flip a lighting switch, turning Capital One’s headquarters campus green for the weekend.
“Shrek the Musical” will also take the stage at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, and at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. that Sunday. Capital One Hall will have a pop-up box office at Perchfest selling fee-free tickets to those shows and other upcoming events.
Festival highlights not related to the stage adaptation of DreamWorks Animation’s 2001 cinematic ode to fairy tales include food trucks, an artisan market organized by Celebrate Fairfax, a free fitness class, live music, and on Friday, a food tent from Sisters Thai — which is expected to open its long-awaited Tysons restaurant this fall.
While the overall event is free, tickets through Eventbrite are required, and Capital One Center is encouraging donations to its nonprofit partner Miriam’s Kitchen, a D.C.-based food kitchen that also provides housing assistance and other social services.
The full Perchfest schedule is below.
Friday, Sept. 20
- 2-6 p.m. — Perch Putt Open (charity mini golf tournament at Perch Putt, private ticketed event)
- 2-6 p.m. — Capital One Hall Pop Up Box Office on the Great Lawn
- 5-8 p.m. — Community vendors on the Great Lawn
- 6 p.m. — Uncle Jesse Band at Starr Hill Biergarten
- 7:15 p.m. — Flip the Switch: Capital One Center campus turns green
- 9 p.m. — Rowdy Ace at Starr Hill Brewpub
Saturday, Sept. 21
- 11 a.m. — FitCoach Caroline Fitness Class at Starr Hill Biergarten
- Noon to 6 p.m.: Celebrate Fairfax’s Shop Local Market Pop-up
- 2 p.m. — Texas Chainsaw Horns at Starr Hill Biergarten
- 2 p.m. — Green cupcake eating contests (sponsored by Wegmans)
- 2-6 p.m. — Capital One Hall Pop Up Box Office
- 6 p.m. — Keeton at Starr Hill Biergarten
- 9 p.m. — Tyber Creek at Starr Hill Brewpub
