Recreationist’s paradise with Puerto Rican Day Festival and more weekend picks

The weekend's so bright I need shades. If your eyes are as sensitive as mine, you might, too. So grab a stylish pair and let's do some stuff.

Opening Thursday, July 24, a live-action theatrical performance where Marvel characters band together to triumph over evil comes to the Wells Fargo Center in South Philly for Marvel Universe Live! Act fast — the show is only in town until Sunday, July 27, with various showtimes throughout the weekend: 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

A number of genres of dance, from hip-hop to tap to acrobatic physical theater, are up for exhibiting during Koresh Dance Company's Come Together Dance Festival, continuing through Sunday, July 27. All performances, starting at either 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m., are held at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre at Broad and Lombard.

Big names and local heavyweights take part in WXPN's XPoNential Music Festival in Camden, N.J., from Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27. Over the course of the three days, artists like Beck, Ryan Adams and Band of Horses will play at the Susquehanna Bank Center, and musicians, including Ingrid Michaelson, Hurray for the Riff Raff and Ginger Coyle, will perform at Wiggins Park.

Starting Friday, July 25 the New Hope Film Festival brings dozens of independent films to the New Hope Arts Center in New Hope, Pa., through Sunday, Aug. 3. The cinematic experience kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with a film festival seminar and an actors' union showcase. Throughout the weekend, you can expect tons of short and feature-length movies and student deals.

If you couldn't get enough dance during the Come Together Festival, dance and fitness converge during Philadelphia Dance Day, the local offshoot of National Dance Day — Saturday, July 26. At various studios and art centers throughout the city, tons of free (and low-cost) dance sessions will inspire all levels of movers and shakers. The first workshop of the day begins at 9 a.m. at Headlong Studios in Newbold, and the day wraps up at the Ethical Society of Philadelphia with social dancing at 9 p.m. in Rittenhouse Square.

Puerto Rican culture is celebrated through dance, food, fashion, activities and more at Bristol, Pa.'s Puerto Rican Day Festival. On Saturday, July 26, Bristol Lions Park plays host to the all-day affair starting at noon to learn some authentic dances, see world-class performances and cook some mouth-watering cuisine.

From 1 to 4 p.m. on both Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, the Camden Children's Garden will bring fantasy to real life. Fairytale-themed crafts, activities and story readings will occur as part of the Camden garden's Storybook Festival.

A brigade of boats will parade from Longport Bridge to Ocean Reef at the Tennessee Avenue boat ramp in Ocean City, N.J., for their annual Night in Venice boat parade and house-decorating contest. At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, you can watch the aquatic action from any of the free grandstand areas along the bay: Battersea Road, North Street, 1st Street, 2nd Street, 4th Street, 6th Street, 11th Street, 13th Street, 15th Street, 16th Street and Tennessee Avenue boat ramp.

Hundreds of bikers will embark on a 65-mile journey from the 20th and Walnut Street Irish Pub to the pub's original Atlantic City location on the boardwalk on Sunday, July 27. Irish Pub Tour de Shore begins at 7 a.m., so map out a spot along the route to cheer on the bikers. Cyclists and spectators alike are invited to keep it real at an after-party at the Atlantic City location following the ride.

Over 130 classic, antique and vintage vehicles will be on display between Broad and Dickinson for the East Passyunk Avenue Car Show and Street Festival. From noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, see the one-of-a-kind vehicles, watch circus performers, listen to a wealth of bands, and stop by vendor tables at the Newbold festival.