Cheap$kate: This week's best FREE events in NYC

Michael Showalter book reading
Journalist Katherine Lanpher will interview the funny man, and then he will be reading from his new book, “Mr. Funny Pants.” It should be … funny. And he’ll likely be wearing pants. (Thursday, 7 p.m., FREE, Barnes & Noble Union Square, 33 E. 17th St.,  barnesandnoble.com, 212-253-0810)

We Are Booming at SPiN NY
OK, so it’s a party celebrating the first of the boomers turning 65, but if you’re not a boomer, you at least know one. Besides, it’s free, it’s ping-pong, and it’s a chance to learn about charity. (Sunday, 2-6 p.m., FREE, SPiN NY, 304 Park Ave. South,  wearebooming.eventbrite.com)

Kiki and Jinners’ Oscar Party
We all know that we’re the best critics — forget all those professionals. Watch Joan Rivers’ red-carpet coverage and sip down some red-carpet drink specials. Then see how good you are at picking the winners. Cast your vote and win yourself some prizes. (Sunday, 7 p.m. doors and voting, FREE, Union Hall, 702 Union St., Park Slope, unionhallny.com, 718-638- 4400)

‘Blender’ by Hidemi Takagi
“Please do not eat the displays” could be a plaque you see at this exhibit. “Blender: The Art of ‘Food Imports’ From Immigrant Neighborhoods in NYC,” an installation by Hidemi Takagi, is a collection of photos of immigrant food products collected from different NYC boroughs, along with packages with the actual products themselves. Remember, you can look, but you can’t eat. (Thu.-Sun., noon-6 p.m., FREE, Homefront Gallery, 26-23 Jackson Ave., Long Island City, thehomefrontgallery.com, 347-82-0553)

Heritage of Innovation: Celebrating Black History Month
This exhibit shows, through different kinds of artwork, the many innovations made by African-Americans in our daily lives. Celebrate Black History Month before it’s over. (Closes next Monday, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., FREE, Arsenal Gallery, 830 Fifth Ave., nycgovparks.org, 212-360-8163)

Nature Film Series
Connect with nature and make “Life” an experience by watching it at the boathouse at Prospect Park. Sure, you can watch it at home by yourself, but where’s the fun in that? (Ends Sunday, noon-3:30 p.m., daily, FREE, Prospect Park Boathouse, prospectpark.org/calendar)