Cheap$kate: The best FREE events in New York City this weekend

Darkness & Light: Contemporary Nordic Photography

The relationship between darkness and light can be witnessed in the works of many photographers. In this new exhibit at Scandinavia House, 10 photogs from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden showcase their take on this relationship through more than 30 recent works that range in subject matter from an imaginary journey to the Orkney Islands, to a psychological drama starring a photog's family, to a look at American poverty. The opening reception is this Feb. 22, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m., and the exhibit runs through April 26. (Tues.-Sat., noon-6 p.m., opens Sat., FREE, Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America, 3rd Floor Gallery, 58 Park Ave., 212-779-3587, scandinaviahouse.org)

World Sword Swallowing Day

Feeling hungry? Stop by Ripley's Believe It or Not in Times Square this Saturday to check out a group of sword swallowers down a rather dodgy lunch. In honor of World Sword Swallowing Day, 2/22/14, the official "swallow" will take place at 2:22:14 p.m. But in all seriousness, leave this to the pros and most definitely don't try it at home. (Feb. 22, 2014, 2 p.m., FREE, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square, 234 W. 42nd St., 212-398-3133, ripleysnewyork.com)

Leonard Covello's 'The Heart Is the Teacher'

Stop by the Mulberry Street branch of the New York Public Library this Saturday for a book party for Leonard Covello's "The Heart Is the Teacher," including a dramatic reading and discussion of the book, led by professor Gerald J. Meyer, who wrote the afterword of the reissued work. New York-based playwright-actor and performance artist LuLu LoLo will dramatize parts of the book. (Feb. 22, 2014, 2-4 p.m., FREE, NYPL Mulberry Street Branch Library, 10 Jersey St., nypl.org, vitomarcantonio forum.com)