This summer at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts just got busier.
After announcing an initial line-up in January, the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts unveiled additional shows on Tuesday (March 19) that have been booked for its summer 2024 season at the Filene Center, the park’s main outdoor amphitheater, and the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods.
The Filene Center’s season typically kicks off with “Blast Off!,” a free fireworks show, around Memorial Day in May, though the exact date won’t be announced until April in coordination with the President’s Own U.S. Marine Band.
The newly expanded slate of concerts features a range of genres, from 1990s R&B — represented by TLC, En Vogue and Jody Watley on July 5 — to musical theater belted by Tony-winning Broadway star Ben Platt on June 23.
There will be some notable collaborations between Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates and Elvis Costello on July 25, The Who lead singer Roger Daltry and singer-songwriter KT Tunstall on June 12, and indie bands The Mountain Goats and The New Pornographers on Aug. 4.
The National Symphony Orchestra is teaming up with indie musician Beck (July 27) and rapper Nas, who will commemorate the 30th anniversary of his debut studio album “Illmatic” on July 21. It has added “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” (July 24) to the list of movies getting a live score accompaniment, and audiences will be able to sing along to “The Sound of Music” on Aug. 16.
Other highlights include The Roots on Aug. 31, country singer Clint Black on July 3, rockers Cake (Aug. 2) and Blues Travelers (Aug. 23), and ’80s new wave band Crowded House, best known for “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” on Sept. 3.
Local musicians will also get a showcase, with rockers Virginia Coalition, emmet swimming and the Pat McGee Band coming together for “NOVA Nite” on Aug.7.
Over at the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, families will be treated to hour-long music, dance, theater, puppetry and magic performances on Tuesday through Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. from June 20 to Aug. 3.
Full schedules for both the Filene Center and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods can be found on Wolf Trap’s website. Tickets for the just-announced shows will go on sale at 10 a.m. next Friday, March 29.
Fairfax County’s next budget could give its public libraries a little more spending money for books.
At the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (March 19), Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn proposed allocating an additional $500,000 in the upcoming fiscal year 2025 budget to Fairfax County Public Library’s book collection.
“The Library continues to be one of the most popular services provided by the county and our Library branches are a vital hub of community information,” Alcorn said in his board matter. “…We continue to face issues with meeting the demand for library materials even with the digital formats.”
County Executive Bryan Hill presented a proposed budget on Feb. 20 that increases FCPL’s funding by $410,027, partially offsetting a $1.2 million jump in personnel-related costs with cuts to the system’s operating expenses.
Planned reductions include eliminating a vacant management position, shifting to black-and-white public copiers instead of color ones, adjustments to the number of computers at each branch based on usage, taking over data storage from a third-party vendor and making FCPL’s quarterly magazine digital-only.
Overall, the county is budgeting just under $35 million in expenditures for the library system, most of which ($22 million) goes toward day-to-day operations at its 23 branches.
Alcorn noted that the county’s funding is supplemented by contributions from the nonprofit Fairfax Library Foundation and the Friends groups that support individual branches. The Friends of Reston Regional Library, for instance, donated $100,000 earlier this year to boost the children’s books collection county-wide.
However, funding for books and other materials remains inadequate “to meet the needs of our residents,” who sometimes have to wait months or even more than a year for popular items, he said.
With increased demand for popular and new materials, the Library must balance a proper allocation of limited resources for those items with the needs for materials in support of K-12 students, and ensuring that materials are updated, available in print, large print, audio and digital copies and in multiple languages. Additional funds to the collection budget will ensure that we are providing the resources our community demands from our Library and decrease the wait times so that people can access those resources in a timely fashion.
The Board of Supervisors agreed unanimously on Tuesday to add Alcorn’s proposal to its list of items to consider incorporating into the budget, which includes $3.83 million in not-yet-allocated funds.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity also asked county staff to find out why FCPL is only devoting about 10% of its budget to purchasing materials and whether that guidance comes from the county, the library’s Board of Trustees or the state.
“I think we do need to clearly invest in our library collections,” Herrity said. “It’s something our citizens like. It’s a basic public service we need to promote.”
Town hall meetings on the proposed budget are currently underway, with the Franconia District holding the next one at 6 p.m. today (Friday). Public hearings are scheduled for April 16-18, and the board will mark up the budget, including determining whether to add items like the library funding, on April 30.
A final FY 2025 budget will be adopted on May 7.
The roster of retailers coming to Tysons Corner Center continues to grow.
A fast-casual Turkish restaurant that specializes in chicken, fashion designer Kate Spade and a fitness clothing brand are all slated to open locations in the mall at 1961 Chain Bridge Road later this year, according to a press release.
Gagawa, the restaurant, started life in 2012 and has since opened more than 275 restaurants in Turkey, where its name Tavuk Dünyası translates to “World of Chicken,” per its website. The company adopted Gagawa as its global branding and began expanding outside Turkey around 2021, adding locations in Cyprus and Madrid, Spain.
Tysons Corner Center will be Gagawa’s first location in the U.S. It will be located on the mall’s first floor across from California Pizza Kitchen, replacing the Panera Bread that closed in late 2022.
Inspired by cuisines around the world, Gagawa marinates its chicken for 12 to 14 hours and serves it with pasta or rice and a Mediterranean salad. The menu also includes red meat fillets and a variety of starters, such as hummus and feta cheese and olives.
“We are very excited to open our first restaurant in the U.S. in Tysons Center,” Gagawa Chairman Ahmet Faralyalı said. “Our mission is to provide everyone with the opportunity to enjoy a high quality, delicious, affordable meal in an environment where one can feel appreciated. Our local consumer research shows that both our concept and product are very much desired by consumers, and we thrilled to unveil a new, unique experience soon.”
The restaurant will be preceded by Kate Spade New York, which is expected to open on Tysons Corner Center’s second floor near Nordstrom this summer. Launched in 1993, the women’s fashion store sells seasonal collections of handbags, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear, gifts home décor and more.
Kate Spade can currently be found in Tysons Galleria at 2001 International Drive, Suite 1430. An employee confirmed to FFXnow that the outlet is relocating from the smaller mall, where it will close sometime in June.
“When customers walk into the store, we want them to feel that they are walking into a uniquely Kate Spade world,” Kate Spade New York CEO and Brand President Liz Fraser said. “…Designed to evoke the feeling of a great escape, this newly designed retail location at Tysons Corner Center will offer both comfort and possibility, inviting customers to feel instantly transported, while still feeling right at home.”
The final newly announced tenant is Vuori, a fitness, surf and yoga apparel store based in Encinitas, California.
Founded in 2015 by Joe Kudla, whom it describes as “an active yogi and surfer,” the company has stores in almost 50 cities around the world, including in Georgetown and Bethesda. Made with an emphasis on sustainability, its clothes can also be found at other retailers, such as Potomac River Running and CorePower Yoga.
Vuori is scheduled to open on Tysons Corner Center’s second floor near Macy’s in the third quarter of 2024.
“Tysons Corner Center is proud to offer our customers an expanded mix of sustainable focused brands like Vuori, who share our commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility,” said Jesse Benites, director of property management for Macerich, the mall’s owner and developer.
The mall has already welcomed a few new retailers this year, including the shoe store Rothy’s, the Pakistani clothing store Khaadi and the Indian restaurant Dhoom. Still in the works are fashion retailers Primark and Mango and Level99, a 40,000-square-foot playground for adults that’s coming in 2025.
In addition, the chain restaurants Maggiano’s and Cheesecake Factory will join Kate Spade in making the jump from Tysons Galleria. Maggiano’s is expected to move this summer, while the Cheesecake Factory is on track to follow in the fourth quarter of this year.
Third Arrest Made in McLean Home Burglary — Yesterday (Thursday) morning, Fairfax County police detectives arrested a 24-year-old Lorton resident in Bailey’s Crossroads, identifying him as the third suspect in an armed burglary of a house in McLean. All three men charged in the incident, which occurred in the 1300 block of Spring Hill Road on Nov. 27, are in custody. [FCPD]
Police Union to Oppose FCPD Use of A.I. — “The Fairfax chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association will issue a position soon opposing Truleo, citing privacy and workload concerns, a representative said.” The Fairfax County Police Department said earlier this month that it will use Truleo’s artificial intelligence-based platform to analyze body camera footage. [Gazette Leader]
Residents Encouraged to Turn Off Lights — “LIGHTS OUT FAIRFAX! Turn off your outdoor lights this Saturday, March 23 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. and reconnect with the beauty of #DarkSkies! Help combat light pollution together and enjoy a magical night under the stars. Spread the word, invite your neighbors, friends and family for this powerful connection with the natural world!” [Fairfax County Park Authority/Facebook]
Compass Coffee Gets Approval for West Falls Church Cafe — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on March 19 unanimously granted Compass Coffee LLC a special exception to install a coffee shop with two drive-through lanes at a former BB&T Bank branch” in the Shops at West Falls Church. “Compass Coffee will contribute $11,587 toward future construction of a 10-foot-wide trail along Route 29, which will replace the current 4-foot-wide sidewalk.” [Gazette Leader]
Tysons and Reston Companies Named Startups to Watch — “Tysons-based Aravenda and Reston-based TruWeather Solutions placed on DC Inno’s list of ’10 Startups to Watch in Greater Washington’ — its annual list of companies that are ‘setting the pace and challenging the status quo.'” Aravenda provides resale software to businesses, while TruWeather Solutions supplies “weather data analytics and weather risk management products to federal agencies.” [Fairfax County EDA]
Governor Vetoes Criminal Justice Bills — “Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) announced vetoes on nearly two dozen criminal justice-related bills…including a measure to prohibit declaring a child under age 11 to be a juvenile delinquent and one requiring the development of standards for when it is permissible to lie to a suspect during police interrogations.” [Washington Post]
Former Apple Engineers Launch Vienna Startup — “A Vienna software startup founded by a cohort of former Apple Inc. engineers has emerged from stealth mode after landing $47 million in fresh funding…Antithesis Operations LLC, which develops a technology that can automatically find bugs in software used across companies or organizations, will use the proceeds largely to build out its team of engineers and software developers.” [DC Inno]
South Run Trail to Be Paved — Work will begin next Wednesday (March 27) “on a trail paving initiative along a 550-foot section of the South Run Stream Valley trail system. The paving will occur between the new fiberglass bridge (Preakness Bridge) and the culvert closest to Lee Chapel Road underpass. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed within approximately one week.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Expect sunshine and a high of 53 today. Tonight, rain will arrive mainly after 11pm, accompanied by patchy fog after 2am and a low temperature around 46. There is a 100% chance of precipitation with rainfall amounts ranging from half to three-quarters of an inch. [NWS]
A Connecticut-based Japanese grocer will bring a brand-new concept to Tysons by the end of this year.
Marufuji Japanese Market is expected to open in December near the Spring Hill Metro station at Tysons 3 Center (8520 Leesburg Pike), taking over a space vacated in 2019 by the furniture store Ethan Allen, property owner Rappaport announced today.
The 18,444-square-foot store will be the largest one yet for the Fuji Mart Group, a grocer with headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, that currently operates eight Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli and Maruichi Select locations in New England.
“We are very excited to have Marufuji at Tysons 3 for their first location in the greater D.C. area,” Rappaport Leasing Representative Zach Elcano said in a press release. “With their specialized Japanese groceries, they provide a truly unique shopping experience, and their food hall component will bring a much-needed boost to the [quick-service restaurant] scene of the eastern portion of Tysons.”
Founded in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1991, Fuji Mart describes itself as a “company for foodies, by foodies” that aims to give customers “the best Japanese gourmet discoveries, Japanese cuisine and unique experiences.”
Since an ownership change in 2013, the company has opened grocery stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Maruichi’s first Rhode Island location is set to open this spring, according to its website.
Marufuji in Tysons will build on those existing stores with “an extensive selection of Japanese groceries, including fresh produce, specialty snacks, and an array of pantry staples,” according to the press release. The store will also feature a delicatessen with freshly prepared items.
“We’re excited to bring the best of all of our store concepts to Tysons Corner,” the Fuji Mart Group said in a statement. “Look forward to world-class sashimi, Japanese and American Wagyu beef, select items that aren’t available anywhere else in the U.S., and so much more. We’re proud to bring the best of Japan and America to the grocery baskets of Tysons.”
Located at the southeast corner of Route 7 and Spring Hill Road, Tysons 3 Center is now fully leased with Marufuji joining The Tile Shop, a Starbucks and an Exxon gas station.
Students are getting organized in response to a lawsuit challenging Fairfax County Public Schools for its LGBTQ-inclusive policies.
The Pride Liberation Project, a student-run group that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights in Virginia, will host a rally “against anti-trans hate” outside Luther Jackson Middle School in Merrifield at 6 p.m. today (Thursday). The demonstration will precede the Fairfax County School Board’s meeting, which starts at 7 p.m.
“I’m really hoping that Fairfax County and our school board will stop this attempt to hurt and degrade my fellow students,” Laura Troung, a senior at Falls Church High School, said. “LGBTQIA+ students are already disproportionately facing the youth mental health crisis in addition to bullying and harassment at schools and this is just adding salt into the wound.”
Represented by America First Legal, a right-wing legal group led by former Donald Trump advisor Stephen Miller, an unnamed high school student sued the school board on March 4 over its policies dictating that students be treated in accordance with their gender identity.
In her complaint, the student says being “compelled” to address classmates by the name and pronoun that matches their gender identity violates her religious beliefs as a Roman Catholic. She also argues that the policies discriminate on the basis of sex because of her discomfort with using the same bathroom as transgender girls.
Students with the Pride Liberation Project, however, describe FCPS’ regulation 2603 as critical to creating a safe, welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Transgender youth whose peers affirmed their identities, including by using their correct names and pronouns, reported significant reductions in symptoms of severe depression, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts in a 2018 study conducted by University of Texas at Austin researchers.
In contrast, reported school-based hate crimes targeting LGBTQ people have soared since 2015, particularly in states with laws that restrict the rights of transgender students or prohibit education on gender and sexuality, according to the Washington Post.
The Virginia Department of Education’s model policies directing schools to treat students based on their “biological sex” spurred protests and school walkouts across the state in September 2022, including ones organized by the Pride Liberation Project.
Students also rallied outside Luther Jackson Middle School last year after FCPS pledged not to adopt the state policies.
“The fact that so many of my friends and teachers respect my pronouns and my name is life-saving to me,” Moth DiNizzo, a McLean High School junior, said. “I know that they care about me and trust my own self-perception. It’s wonderful and I want everyone to experience that same joy of being known and trusted.”
The planned rally comes shortly after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors designated March 31 as Transgender Visibility Day. The International Transgender Day for Visibility was created in 2009 to celebrate the lives and achievements of the transgender community.
At its meeting on Tuesday (March 19), the board approved the proclamation 9-0 with Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, the board’s only Republican member, away from the table.
Supervisors said the designation is an important acknowledgement of the county’s diversity and their commitment as elected officials to support all residents.
“We have an obligation to do everything we can not just to protect [the LGBTQ+ community], but to use our voices to stand up and support them and to make sure that the rest of our community sees that that’s what their government is doing,” Chairman Jeff McKay said. “Regardless of what’s happening in Richmond, we will always stand up and fight to protect every single person in this county.”
Another Tysons office building is set to be transformed into housing.
After a public hearing on Tuesday (March 19), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal to convert the three-story office building at 8221 Old Courthouse Road into 55 multi-family apartments, including six workforce dwelling units.
About 70% of the apartments will have one bedroom, but some two-bedroom units will also be provided, according to Walsh Colucci Lubeley & Walsh land use attorney Robert Brant, who represented the property owner and developer, a Dittmar Company affiliate, at the hearing.
While the existing 45,000-square-foot building will stay intact, the development will bring pedestrian and streetscape improvements to Old Courthouse and Lord Fairfax roads, including new sidewalks, landscaping and crosswalks at the intersection.
The plan replaces about 90 parking spaces with open space, including a publicly accessible, 7,840-square-foot pocket park and a private, 8,400-square-foot outdoor space for residents. Amenities available to the public will include 6-foot-wide walkways, pergolas, benches and bicycle racks, while the private space will provide movable seating, tables, grill stations and stormwater facilities, such as a rain garden.
“We were very focused on the green space, and I believe the homeowners or renters would want that as well,” Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said of the county’s negotiations with the developer.
However, the trade-off of parking spots for green space has left some area residents concerned that traffic for the new apartments will spill into their neighborhoods and disrupt travel to and from nearby Freedom Hill Elementary School.
Dittmar agreed to retain 66 spaces in the existing parking lot and add striping for eight spaces on Lord Fairfax Road, meeting the county’s minimum requirement.
One homeowner’s association sent a letter to the board on Feb. 21 worrying that the apartment residents will compete for parking currently used by parents when dropping off and picking up their kids, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said.
At the public hearing, one resident whose daughter walks to Freedom Hill said she’s concerned about increased traffic and safety at the Old Courthouse/Lord Fairfax intersection. Claudia Stein, who lives on Lord Fairfax Road across from the site, urged the developer to keep at least 30 more parking spaces.
“There is always more demand for parking than anticipated,” Stein said. “The apartment residents and guests will be forced to park on the street in the neighborhood, which will take away parking from existing residents.”
Residents have also been advocating for the county to close a gap in the sidewalk on the west side of Lord Fairfax Road, Stein said. As a temporary measure, the gap has been filled with gravel, but vehicles sometimes park on the gravel, forcing students and other pedestrians into the road.
After confirming the location of the sidewalk gap, supervisors said they can’t compel the developer to address it, since it’s not on their property. Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik confirmed that her office will work with Stein to see what can be done by the county.
“It just seems like a great opportunity for our [department of transportation] to work with the property owner to maybe make an improvement in the future,” McKay said.
In response to the concerns about traffic, Brant told the board that shifting the property from office to housing will reduce parking demand and vehicle trips, which are projected to drop by 75% during the morning rush hour and 77% in the evening rush hour.
For some supervisors, the big sticking point was the developer’s commitment to only meeting the county’s minimum — 2% of parking spaces — for electric vehicle charging stations. That amounts to just two of the 66 provided spaces.
“I literally got sent an article yesterday about how electric vehicles and gas-powered cars are starting to level out in cost,” Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman said. “If you want this building to be good for residents 10 years down the line, you’re going to need more than 1.32 spaces, so please provide more.”
McKay suggested that the developer consider pre-wiring some spaces so they can support EV chargers “in the future if the demand is there.”
Dittmar is “willing” to look at providing more EV charging stations, Brant said.
“We’ve had discussions internally about how more and more electric vehicles are on the road these days,” Brant told the board. “More residents want that as an amenity, so there’s a chance that, once we get into the construction phase of this, there will be an opportunity to add more. So, that’s something the applicant will consider.”
Brush Fires Break Out Around D.C. Area — “Fires in Virginia and Maryland brought a smoky haze into the D.C. region Wednesday evening, as a combination of strong winds and low humidity created conditions that the National Weather Service could fuel more blazes…Fairfax County fire officials reported that crews were working ‘six outside fires’ and that dispatchers fielded calls for reports of smoke blown into the county” from other areas. [Washington Post]
FCPS Updates Covid Guidance — “In accordance with the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance, FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department have updated school COVID-19 recommendations. The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer recommended.” Students can now return to class if they’re “fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication” and their symptoms “have improved or resolved.” [FCPS]
Residents Move Into New Senior Living Complex — “Woodleigh Chase, the massive new independent-living complex on Braddock Road in Fairfax, has already welcomed 25 residents, although it will take five years to complete the build-out. The development is restricted to people at least 62 years old. When completed, the 43-acre Woodleigh Chase complex will have 1,500 units in nine buildings and two clubhouses, says Sales Director David Taylor.” [Annandale Today]
Design Wrapping Up on Joint Health and Community Center — “Fairfax City and Fairfax County are jointly redeveloping the county’s Joseph Willard Health Center and the City’s Sherwood Community Center into a single location for healthcare, wellness, fitness and arts, plus programs for children and seniors.” A consultant for the city recently reported that it’s “now wrapping up the schematic design, and construction is expected to be finished, the end of 2027.” [The Connection]
Sidewalk Not Required for New Vienna House — “Most new houses in Vienna must provide certain public improvements – including sidewalk, curb and gutter – but that will not be the case for a home that’s planned to be built in the Windover Heights Historic District. The Vienna Town Council on March 18 voted 6-0 (member Charles Anderson was absent) not to require those usually requisite upgrades at 288 Windover Ave., N.W.” [Gazette Leader]
County Appoints New Human Rights Office Leader — “Michael L. Simms has been appointed director of the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs (OHREP), effective immediately. Simms has served as acting director of the office since December 2023, following the retirement of OHREP’s former director, Kenneth Saunders.” [Fairfax County Government]
Fairfax City Lets Students Design “I Voted” Stickers — “Even though they may not be old enough to vote, K-12 students in the City of Fairfax can still contribute to the 2024 election by designing the stickers that will be given to voters on election day…The 2024 Sticker Design Contest kicked off on Jan. 15 and all entries must be received on or before April 12.” [Patch]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 48 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind of 9 to 14 mph and gusts up to 21 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 32 degrees, and a northeast wind of 6 to 8 mph. [NWS]
Amid a surge in digital storage demand in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County is drafting stricter zoning regulations to enhance oversight of data center projects.
On Tuesday (March 19), the Board of Supervisors directed staff to update the county’s zoning laws to include new data center development criteria, such as increased residential buffers, size limits, energy efficiency standards and a mandatory noise study in the site plan.
“The increasing demand for data centers and the increased understanding of their potential impacts reveal a need to consider strengthening our current regulations,” Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith said, emphasizing the “urgency” of the new rules sought by the board.
Potential changes include new requirements for data center developments to receive a special exception in zoned areas where they are currently allowed by right, meaning they can be built without county board or planning commission approval or public hearings.
Last year, the board requested research, findings and recommendations from county staff on possible new guidelines for data centers, including ways to mitigate their environmental impact, criteria for locating facilities and the approval process for data centers.
The report presented to the board in January found that, while data centers bring advantages such as high-paying jobs and significant tax revenue, they have also encountered resistance from residents worried about the noise, greenhouse gas emissions, and high energy usage of the facilities.
At a land use policy committee meeting on March 12, the county supervisors signaled that they support staff’s recommendations for amending the zoning ordinance with higher standards.
Northern Virginia remains the world’s leader in data centers with 51 million square feet of space, per a recent JLL report. Fairfax County has roughly a third of the square footage of neighboring Loudoun and Prince William counties, the region’s epicenter of development.
Supervisors noted that there’s been significant community pushback against large projects like the recently approved Digital Gateway in Prince William. At Tuesday’s board meeting, Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez said the county needs to make sure “we’re putting data centers where they belong.”
“We have very few [data center projects] on the horizon that we know of, but it’s important that we get the protections right and the guidelines right, and the quickest way to do that is to get these zoning ordinance amendments approved,” Chairman Jeff McKay said.
The county staff recommendations
In terms of land use and site design, staff suggested that developers secure special exception approval from the county before constructing data centers in most commercial and industrial districts.
Staff also recommended that, in industrial districts where data centers are permitted by right, the county could proactively implement height and size limitations, along with minimum distances for equipment, such as generators, from residential zones.
Due to the swift pace of data center development, staff also advise collaborating with utility providers, including NOVEC and Dominion Energy, to evaluate how future development might affect energy demand. Read More
Capital One Center will bound into spring later this month with an Easter celebration at The Perch (1803 Capital One Drive).
The Tysons skypark is inviting kids and their parents to an Easter egg hunt on March 30. Visitors will have a chance to meet an Easter bunny, along with actual bunnies, alpacas and a baby goat in a petting zoo run by My Pet Alpaca.
Other activities include sack races, balloon animals, arts and crafts, and “special entertainment” from a DJ at the Perch Putt mini-golf course, according to a media advisory.
After closing for the winter, Perch Putt will reopen this Saturday (March 23) with a new Korean food truck called Bap-Bowl. The menu includes DIY rice, greens and japchae bowls, kimchi, a Korean corn dog and soft-serve ice cream.
For the Easter celebration, the tiki bar Rhum Roost will serve “festive” beverages, such as Peeps hot chocolate and mimosa buckets, and Dos Los Carlos, another food truck, will have breakfast tacos.
Easter at The Perch will also feature:
- A pop-up box office offering fee-free tickets to upcoming shows at Capital One Hall
- Free chair massages from the nail salon and spa Nothing in Between (1590 Capital One Drive)
- A Magnolia Dessert Bar pop-up from Sisters Thai, which is set to open its largest restaurant yet at Capital One Center this year
Tickets for the Easter egg hunt cost $22.20, including an online processing fee, but the rest of the event is free. Capital One Center charges $10 for event parking, advising visitors to instead utilize the nearby McLean Metro station.
Located 11 stories up on top of Capital One Hall, The Perch opened in August 2021 with a dog park, bocce ball pits, an amphitheater and Starr Hill Biergarten. The mini golf course and food trucks were added to the 2.5-acre green space in May 2022.
In the works since early 2022, Sisters Thai’s Tysons restaurant is under construction at 7730 Capital One Tower Road and will feature an outpost of Magnolia, which can currently only be found in Vienna. Capital One Center also anticipates that Stellina Pizzeria, Ox & Rye and Starr Hill Brewpub will open this year.
A more specific timeline for the upcoming restaurants remains elusive, but the development did announce that Ometeo (1640 Capital One Drive North) — a Tex-Mex eatery that arrived in December — added lunch hours this week, opening every weekday at 11:30 a.m.