Free & Cheap in New York: Wed., May...

Free & Cheap in New York: Wed., May...

REED SAXON/AP

Stan Lee, the legendary co-creator of Spider-Man, is  the subject of a book and a panel at BookCourt in Brooklyn.

MARVEL AT THE WORLD OF COMICS. Danny Fingeroth will discuss his new book, The Stan Lee Universe, and how the Marvel co-creator of Spider-Man and the X-Men has changed the comic-book industry. Fingeroth will be joined by cartoonist Al Jaffee, best known for his work on Mad magazine. 7 p.m. Free. BookCourt, 163 Court St., Brooklyn. (718) 875-3677.

WELL-SUNG IN MANY TONGUES. Acclaimed Paris-born singer-actress Yanna Avis headlines at the Metropolitan Room. The chanteuse, who has played the Russian Tea Room and Feinsteins at the Regency, will pepper her act with songs in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. 9:30 p.m. $ 20, with a two-drink minimum. 34 W. 22nd St. (212) 206-0440.

USE YOUR NOODLE. Get your daily carb intake at the World Financial Centers Noodlepalooza. There you can sample a panoply of pasta dishes for $ 5 or less. 11 a.m. WFC Winter Garden, 200 Vesey St. (212) 417-7050.

JOY TO THE TWIRLED. Kids can learn the art of Chinese ribbon dancing at the Castle Hill Library. No experience us required and all materials will be provided. 4 p.m. Free. 947 Castle Hill Ave., Bronx. (718) 824-3838.

THE INSIDE DISH. Learn the tricks of the trade as New York restaurateur Joe Bastianich talks about his new book, Restaurant Man, at Barnes & Noble. Hell reveal how an Italian boy from Queens turned his passion for food and wine into an empire with Mario Batali. 6 p.m. Free. 97 Warren St. (212) 587-5389.

ONWARD, KRISTEN SOLDIERS. Actress Kristen Johnston (Third Rock From the Sun) will help celebrate the relaunch of TheGLOC.net, a website for, by and about Gorgeous Ladies of Comedy. It will be an evening of laughter, dancing and drinks. 8 p.m. (doors at 7). $ 10. Littlefield, 622 Degraw St., Brooklyn. (718) 855-3388.

WAGING WAR WITH KIDS. Award-winning journalist Wojciech Jagielski offers A Reporters Perspective on War at the Central Librarys Dweck Center. He will talk about his new book, The Night Wanderers, which depicts the plight of Ugandan children forced to fight in the Army. 7 p.m. Free. 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn. (718) 230-2100.

SHORT AND SWEET. IndieScreens Shorts Program highlights brief new works by Brooklyn filmmakers. 7 p.m. $ 10. 285 Kent Ave., Brooklyn. (347) 227-8030.

BETWEEN THE LINES. Emmy Award-winning moviemaker Ken Kimmelman will ask Can Contempt Be Animated? at the Flushing Library. He also will show short films, including Skeleton Dance and The Sorcerers Apprentice. 6 p.m. Free. 41-17 Main St., Queens. (718) 661-1200.

IN PERFECT HARMONY. The Brooklyn Philharmonic gives its annual Outside In concert at Galapagos Arts Space. The Philharmonic helps composers from hip hop, jazz and indie rock to write string quartet and chamber music in their own styles. This years fellows are Tim Fite, Charlie Looker and Natalie Elizabeth Weiss. 8 p.m. $ 15. 16 Main St., Brooklyn. (718) 222-8500.

SOCK IT TO ME. Los Angeles artist Skullphone, best-known for his images of skulls talking on cell phones, opens his new exhibit, XOSSOX, at the Fuse Gallery. The exhibit is based around signs and New York City, and a 1,000 custom-made socks will be up for grabs. 7 p.m. Free. 93 Second Ave. (212) 777-7988.