An old friend dying. A concert company buyout and a radio station merger. Bastille Day. This column? I always like it to reflect my immediate week that was, that is and that'll be far-flung-fo-fum. But this one's a doozy. And not always a happy one. So, to the accompaniment of Philly's cream-cheesiest songstress Erika Schiff, let's kick it. Because that's what she's doing: kicking off TLA's Gay Film Festival with her honeyed voice all over July 13's opening after-party at University of Arts, following the premiere of the first made- and distributed-by TLA Releasing flick, Another Gay Movie. Schiff's got the housey song ("Do It Again"); producers Rich Wolf and Ray Murray got the silly flick. They're hoping Fest attendees Sandra Bernhard and Chloe Savigny'll ensnare Madonna to stop by the N Squared-designed bash that doubles as Warner's post-Maddie-party. The dreaaaam nevvaaah diies. First, Bros. Suggarillo's FringeBinge, then Betty Whitetrash, Aug. 26? Looks like that's the big day for Johnny Brenda's t'open what with Jay Medley's cock-rocking BWt re-forming for one gig, playing to a limited audience of "250 rockers & rockettes" writes Medley. By next week the world'll know Tim Bowen's new Falling Cow Gallery on South Fourth is fantastic. Silly. And now, a li'l bit giving as he's teaming with the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation for "BooBies" July 22 — a group show of lovely salaciousness (and free mammograms) from horndog artists like Heidi Neff, Bob Asman, Ellie Brown and John Overmyer with 10 percent of sales going to Creed. "It should be a titillating show," said Bowen, dryly. We Clogged last Thursday that Live Nation (which means EFC in Philly) bought House of Blues for $350 million. But whatzat mean for HOB casino bookings in A.C.? Or the HOB restau-bar/Foundation Room at 15th and Chestnut? Or the big hall at 16th and Washington? My close source on all sides of the HOB/LN continuum says that after the six- to nine-month gestation, it's mostly biz as usual. "They did not approach us for the real estate. They approached us for the brand, and to keep the brand intact," says my source. "The spaces will stay House of Blues. As a booking company, it will all be Live Nation." That's great news for Metro Development's David Grasso, who owns the spots at Chestnut (an early 2007 opening) and Washington streets. Especially since he's crazy busy, too, with Grasso Holdings' Tycoon Entertainment and producing films like the nearly out The Lather Effect (starring Eric Stoltz and Tate Donovan) and Feel (with Billy Baldwin and Kevin Corrigan). I bet neither EFC nor Grasso'd put up with Jim Belushi getting all diva like he did last week at A.C.'s HOB Foundation Room. Rumor has it he was a drunken asshole to all who approached him — save for the ladies Jimbo unsuccessfully hit on. Two things about the new Copa Miami at 17th. We're sure Tony Greico's menu'll be tasty. But. One, am I wrong or isn't Miami-everything as dead a concept as buying a pager? Two, though they're having a party for Miami Vice, the movie, neither Jamie nor Colin'll be there. "T. Rogers" sound familiar? Should. He owned the eponymous dark, swank blues-and-BBQ spot where Mantra resides on 18th. Well, we hear rumors Rogers has got big-cash backing, not only for a new like-minded spot on S. 19th St., but for a mini-chain of T-time rooms. What happens when you un-Golden Ball yourself? In what was not such a pretty breakup, Eric Van Osten, Amy Swenson and Andrea Fleegle — Ballers all — have become the nifty new wave-y Die Umlaut, backing up Shawn Kilroy. And along with Rabbit in Red/Snow Fairies guitarist Jayme Guokas, they're one big synth, snap-crackling industrial-dance act debuting their own songs as well as Devo and Depeche Mode covers at Bar Noir July 17 with Eric Carbonera and half the Philly Bluegrass Band. Speaking of weird industrial something, WebLinc — the Philly/NYC e-commerce source spot, bought the old Revival building with plans to move its biz into the second floor. "The liquor license is still with the building, so we've got some interesting possibilities," claims their site. If someone says "Do a Foggy Goggles," run! And what about Abilene's? Yes, there was a "moment of silence" for the closed-last-Friday room from the stages of the Troc on Saturday when Trashlight Vision — employees of the South Street live-band boite who had trouble getting their equipment out of there — offered up a sarcastic prayer. But what happened? We hear rumors that there's bitching between its two biz partners, neither of whom paid the building landlord and were shut out of the address until payment is rendered. I know that you know that you know I'm throwing a World Café Live/Bastille Day kinda-benefit July 14 for Brat Productions and New Paradise Labs with Skeletor, Bunnydrums, Kef, Bawdy Girls, Shimmers, Unlikely Cowboy, Dirty Diamond, Lee Etzold and The Bros. Suggarillo boys and Nouveau Riche (Is Donna DeLory coming by? The Goats?) the day before The Khyber hosts their Brat/NPL oil wrestling/breakfast benefit with Cordalene and Franzschubert. But what you don't recognize is that between me hosting Shimmers' Marah members (with whom I've had words) and Khyber's party with JoJo Sweeney (the Renfield to my Count Dracula), we're all unifying for a good cause. Which reminds me: Last week, a colleague and old friend of mine, photographer Mpozi Mshale Tolbert, died suddenly. Since then, I've seen loving stories from old pals like ?uestlove and personally received letters from Mpozi lovers (some that happened to be A.D. haters too) regaling me with tales of spending time with the big man. Mpozi's memorial is at International House at 11 a.m. July 15. I hope I see you there.