Pre-BET awards: Parties!

The BET Hip-Hop Awards arrival in Atlanta this weekend is as much about having parties as it is about handing out statues for the ringtone of the year.

(Good luck on that, by the way, Atlanta rappers Rocko and Yung Berg.)

And those parties are only the beginning of the show-related activities planned throughout the metro area. In addition to the third annual ceremony itself —- Saturday at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center (and airing Oct. 23 on BET ) —- there’s a red carpet movie screening, a financial seminar and, yes, even the unveiling of a $125 baseball cap.

Some of these events you can attend, others are invitation-only.

Open invitation events:

Friday

> “Conversation With a Legend,” featuring Debra Lee, chairman and CEO of BET Networks. Noon-12:30 p.m. at Straits Restaurant, 793 Juniper St. WSB-TV anchor Monica Pearson and V-103 midday personality Porsche Foxx are co-hosts. Admission is $65 for members of NABFEME (National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment) Southeast Network; $75 for nonmembers (includes lunch). To register, go to www.myspace.com/nabfemeatl.

> “Get Your Money Right!” Summit on Financial Empowerment with Russell Simmons, Ludacris, Benjamin Chavis, BET’s Terrence and Rocsi, Monica, Bryan-Michael Cox, DJ Drama and others. Free. 5-7 p.m. at Clark Atlanta University.

> The Def Jam Takeover at E.S.S.O. with DJ Khaled, Jadakiss, Fabolous and Ne-Yo. Hot-107.9’s Emperor Searcy and DJ Trauma on the turntables. Doors open at 10 p.m. General admission starts at $20. Women free until 11 p.m. 1599 Memorial Drive. 404-378-1095, www.essoatl.com.

Saturday

> “Fly Girls Vote: Hip-Hop Women For Change.” A town hall discussion with rap pioneer MC Lyte, Brown University professor Tricia Rose, director Shola Lynch activist Moya Bailey and journalists Michaela Angela Davis and Lola Ogunnaike. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Clark Atlanta University.

> T.I. performing at Dreamz ATL, with Lil Wayne hosting. Doors open at 9 p.m. 3595 Clairmont Road. For more information: 404-477-0707, www.dreamzatl.com.

> Ludacris and Young Jeezy at E.S.S.O. Doors open at 10 p.m. General admission starting at $20. Women free until 11 p.m. 1599 Memorial Drive. 404-378-1095, www.essoatl.com.

Invite only:

Tonight

> “Max Payne” premiere screening, with co-star Ludacris at the Rialto Center for the Arts.

> New Era and Ludacris’ Capture the Flag launch party. Ludacris will unveil the $125 hat he helped design at the New Era Atlanta flagship store. DJ Ruckus will spin the turntables. (The public can purchase the hat at New Era, 117 Luckie St., starting Friday.)

Friday

> Jermaine Dupri’s third annual pre-party for the BET Hip-Hop Awards at his Studio 72 nightclub. DJ Mars on the turntables.

Saturday

> Ne-Yo’s Cirque du Soleil Birthday Bash at Mason Murer Fine Art.

Sunday

> Sean Garrett’s brunch at the Ellis on Peachtree.