Cheap$kate: FREE events in NYC this weekend

Book signing

Emma Straub and Stephin Merritt signing
Singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt - whose distinctive bass vocals can be heard in many a film soundtrack and as part of the legendary indie-rock band the Magnetic Fields - will be performing at Barnes and Noble Union Square tonight. The Magnetic Fields are on tour for their new album, "Love at the Bottom of the Sea," and Merritt will be stopping by B&N's "Upstairs at the Square" event to perform in conjunction with an author discussion featuring Emma Straub, who will be talking about her short-story collection: "The Other People We Married." You'll probably want to arrive early, but note that the event space opens at 5 p.m. (Wednesday, 7 p.m., FREE, Barnes & Noble Union Square, 33 E. 17th St., 212-253-0810, bn.com)

Snacks

FREE Japanese sweets at Uniqlo
In honor of Japan Week taking over NYC, Uniqlo will be offering FREE goodies for two hours each day this weekend from Japanese-inspired NYC chefs, including treats from Kyotofu, David Chang and Christina Tosi's Momofuku Milk Bar, David Bouley's Brushstroke, and traditional Japanese tea donated by Sugimoto. Stop by and chow down while you peruse Uniqlo's specially designed Japan room. (Friday, 4-6 p.m., Sat. & Sun., 2-4 p.m., FREE, Uniqlo New York Fifth Avenue Global Flagship, 666 Fifth Ave., 877-4UNIQLO)