The cast of the Theatre Lawrence production of Hands

Toe-tapping tunes, monarchs and runners on the move, and a talk with baseball game-changer Bill James top this weekend’s busy social schedule.

“Hands on a Hardbody,” Theatre Lawrence, opens 7:30 p.m. Friday

Universal themes such as hope, religion, race and ultimately, the American Dream, are all explored in this modern musical opening Friday at Theatre Lawrence.

Based on a true story and a 1997 documentary of the same name, “Hands on a Hardbody” tells the story of 10 Texans competing to win a brand-new Nissan truck in a giveaway contest by keeping their hands on the “hardbody” vehicle until only one contestant remains.

You can also catch “Hands on a Hardbody” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday or 2:30 p.m. Sunday this weekend. Tickets cost $24.99 for adults for the Friday and Saturday shows, and $23.99 for the Sunday matinee. For a full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit www.theatrelawrence.com.

Monarch Watch tagging event, wetlands on the east side of Clinton Lake and just south of Eagle Bend Golf Course, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday

Got a budding entomologist in the family? Bring them to this Saturday’s annual tagging event near Clinton Lake, where staffers with Monarch Watch are providing tags, nets and instructions in how to net and tag the majestic species.

Monarch butterflies are passing through Kansas in their annual migration to central Mexico, making now the ideal time to see these critters up close and personal.

For more information on this year’s event, including a map and directions to the tagging site, visit www.monarchwatch.org.

http://wellcommons.com/photos/2012/sep/18/241357/

Dr. Bob Run 5K Event, Rim Rock Farm, 8 a.m. Saturday

Named for the late Robert “Bob” Frederick, who served for 14 years as athletics director at Kansas University, this 5K race raises funds and awareness for the Dr. Bob Frederick Scholarship Program.

The sixth annual event, hosted by KU’s department of health, sport and exercise sciences, will also include a free Hy-Vee 1 Mile Kids Run at 8:45 a.m. and an awards ceremony at 9:15 a.m.

Kids Run participants must register online beforehand at www.hses.ku.edu/alumni/dr-bob-run. Adult participants can register on-site ($45) or online ahead of time ($40).

Fall Ball Series: Mathletic Adventures with Bill James, Lawrence Public Library, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday

“Enter the fascinating world of runs, hits and Pythagorean expectation with Bill James, the local Lawrence legend who inspired the film ‘Moneyball,'” teases Lawrence Public Library.

For those not in the know, Holton native and KU alumnus Bill James developed the concept of sabermetrics — the statistical analysis of baseball that revolutionized the sport in the 1990s — while working at a Lawrence pork-and-beans cannery.

Now a senior adviser to the Boston Red Sox, James will share the story behind his game-changing theories at the library’s auditorium this weekend.

— Check out more upcoming events in the Journal-World’s datebook.