Zubeen Saeed, president and CEO of Building Blocks Leanring Centers, stands near child-size furniture in her latest center, located in the second block of South Main Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Visible through the windows is a colorful mural she had painted on the wall across the way.
Week of activities celebrates new child care center
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“Join us for a week-long festival to welcome the creation of Downtown Wilkes-Barre’s own art district.”
That’s the message Zubeen Saeed — founder, president and CEO of Building Blocks Learning Centers — is sending out to the community as she prepares to hold the official ribbon cutting of her 15th day care center, set for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 6 at the new center, located at 116 South Main St.
That second block of South Main already is home to Marquis Art & Frame art and art supply store and its second floor gallery and Wilkes University’s Sordoni Art Gallery as well as a passageway to the Wyoming Valley Art League’s Circle Centre for the Arts, and Saeed intends to help make the area even more of an arts destination.
Already, she’s arranged for the painting of a mural on a wall facing the day care; it shows a profusion of color streaming from the words “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.”
That’s a message area families will encounter if they attend “The Dot Musical,” to be presented 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 at the F.M. Kirby Center. Based on a children’s book by Peter H. Reynolds, the musical tells a story about a little girl who eventually gains confidence in and enthusiasm for her own artistic ability.
Saeed arranged to bring the show to Wilkes-Barre, and while admission is free, people should contact the Kirby Center to make reservations. That will help with the planning of how much free ice cream will be available after the show.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Wednesday, April 3, with help from the Diamond City Partnership, an “Inspired Bites” event will offer tasty tidbits to people who visit the Sordoni Art Gallery at 141 S. Main St. That event is especially designed for downtown workers, Saeed said, and no reservations are needed.
From 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4, the Circle Centre for the Arts, rear 130 S. Franklin St., will host a reception for Wilkes-Barre Area arts students, whose work will be on display. From 6 to 8 p.m. that day at the Centre, the Marko Marcinko Jazz Combo will perform. Admission to the jazz performance is $10.
On Saturday adults and children are welcome to join in the Young Run for Fun, (entry fee is $15 for adults and $10 for children; ages 2 and younger are free.) Families are welcome to walk, run or push a stroller a half mile down South Main Street. A t-shirt will be included in the entry fees for 2 to 8 year olds. Registration will be at 9 a.m. on Public Square and the race begins at 10 a.m.
When the race is over, participants are welcome to enjoy the Main Street Art Fest Block Party, set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and featuring live bands, food trucks, craft vendors and children’s entertainment in the block of South Main that lies between South Street and Northampton Street.
Parents of children 6 weeks to 5 years of old also may want to consider enrolling them at the newest Building Blocks Learning Center, where art is part of every day. The center opened last week with 25 students and has room for 125. Saeed believes it will be ideal for parents who work or live in downtown Wilkes-Barre and offers a discount to employees of Wilkes University.
Among her ambitions for the downtown, she also has purchased the nearby land on which the former Blum Bros. clothing store stood and is applying for grants to transform it into a “pocket park.”
“Our whole goal is to ignite the spark,” she said, “to bring the energy, the effort, to make the second block (of South Main) the art district.”