We just got word that youth soccer at Clark Park is cancelled this week. Recent rains have left too much water in the Bowl. Soccer will resume next Saturday if things dry out a little.

West Philly parents! Bring your kids to Clark Park “A” (43rd & Baltimore) this Saturday, Oct. 1, to join fall fun at the Scarecrow Festival organized by the Parent-Infant Center (PIC). At the festival, show your creativity by making your own scarecrow.

All the materials necessary for creating and dressing up your scarecrow will be provided for $10. The money will go to support PIC’s family programs.

The festival will begin at 10 a.m. and will go on until noon. For more information contact Rachel at: rcrossot [at] parentinfantcenter.org.

The Walnut West Library Chess Club is in need of volunteer coaches to assist in conducting a weekly class and acting as mentors to the young student players. You do not need to be a Master player, but knowledge of the game would be very helpful.

The club is going into its fourth year and has experienced rapid growth and recognition at the city-wide tournaments held every month of the school year. It is a very rewarding experience for the right person. The club meets on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the library, 201 S. 40th Street.

To apply or for more information, contact Joe Clarke at: philly.joe.c [at] gmail.com

High school students ages 14-21 are invited to participate in the auditions for the high school version of the popular musical RENT to be staged in West Philly. The auditions will take place at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) on Saturday, Sept. 10 and Sunday, Sept. 11, from 8 a.m. to noon, and Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (call backs are from 1:30 to 5 p.m.).

The audition requires two songs of approximately three minutes in length, preferably from the RENT soundtrack. Musical accompaniment can be provided. To make arrangements in advance email: projecttheaterproject [at] gmail.com.

Prior theater experience is not necessary, but parental permission is required. Students that are cast for roles in RENT will be required to attend sixteen three-hour rehearsals in September, October, and November. The shows are scheduled for December.

Local community theater group PROJECT THEATER PROJECT is working on this production. For more information on the production, auditions and rehearsals go here.

The school year has begun and many parents are looking for afterschool and weekend activities for their children. We have come across a couple of flyers – one is an afterschool art program (we gave them a ring and learned that it’s a new program run by artist Rachel Louis) and the other is a weekend music program by Intercultural Family Services, Inc. We’ll be adding more such information as it comes. If you know of more afterschool programs for kids in the area email us at: editor [at] westphillylocal.com or leave a comment.

Registration is open for the fall session of All Around This World, the kids music program based on international songs, movement and drumming.

The program’s director, Jay Sand, is a well-known West Philly musician and music teacher. Three times a year – in the fall, winter and spring – he offers interactive weekly music classes “All Around This World” for infants to 8-year-olds and their families. Each class is dedicated to a particular region of the world and music from that region.

The fall session begins right after Labor Day, on September 7. The West Philly classes (classes are also offered in Fairmount Park and Center City) are going to explore West Asia and the Middle East. Classes take place near 44th and Pine on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings (check the full schedule here). There is also a special class for babies only at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Discounts, scholarships, free trial classes and sliding scale tuition plans are available.

For more information about the classes and to register go here or contact Jay Sand at: jay [at] allaroundthisworld.com, 215-913-2679.