Friday, August 2
Artist Julia Durgee will be doing live portraits of “good Mainers” during the reception for her show of comic drawings and Maine landscape paintings at the Portland Media Center (516 Congress St.) from 5-8 p.m. Free. juliadurgee.com. Then head up the block to Blue (650 Congress St.) for what’s always the hottest gig in the Arts District: the Okbari Middle Eastern Ensemble, at 7 p.m. Free (donations accepted; all ages; air-conditioned!). 774-4111. portcityblue.com.