As we welcome in the new year, we welcome a whole new season of award shows! The 60th Annual Grammy Awards will air on Jan. 28, and for the first time in 15 years, “music’s biggest night” will return to Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The award show’s move to many of the Manhattan’s venues is exciting news, bringing new business and commerce for the highly publicized and well-funded event. The Grammys will be just a 15 minute subway ride on the 1 train from Fordham Lincoln Center.

Contrary to popular belief, the Grammys are not just for Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. Yes, the front-row seats are reserved for Grammy nominees, but tickets to the live broadcast of the awards are available to purchase. General admission tickets range from $3,500 “Bronze” tickets to $25,000 “Diamond” seats. Members of The Recording Academy, the organization that gives out the awards, can attend the show for a much lower price. Natassja Agina, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’20, was invited to attend by a member’s daughter. And, fortunately for her, the show is only a short commute away rather than on the other side of the country.

But you do not need connections in the music industry to attend the Grammys without going bankrupt. Companies in the area have taken advantage of the the show’s return to the east coast by organizing raffles and contests with admissions tickets as the coveted prize.

Several Fordham students are taking advantage of the award show’s convenient location near campus. Chelsea Ashley, FCLC ’21, has entered several contests and random lottery drawings including one offering VIP tickets. “I want to see all the celebrities dancing while Bruno Mars and Cardi B perform live,” Ashley said with excitement.

Haley van den Burg, FCLC ’21, entered a radio station call-in contest for general admission tickets. “I think it’s really cool that the Grammy’s came back to New York this year, and I can’t help but try to attend this once in a lifetime opportunity,” van den Burg said.

There are many other ways to be involved in the Grammy excitement throughout the city. Along with the live broadcast of the 60th Annual Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden, other Grammy-related events and concerts will be taking place in the city during “Grammy Week.” The Paley Center for Media, only a 20 minute walk from campus, is hosting a showing of “The Grammys Return to New York: A Behind-The-Scenes Look At The 60th Grammy Awards” for only $10. Additionally, there are Facebook events for viewing parties and special nightclub events all over the city.

Even if the special viewing parties and ticketed events are unattainable, getting into the award show spirit is really easy to accomplish. “If I don’t win any of the contests for Grammy tickets, my roommates and I are going to host a Grammy viewing party in our dorm,” Ashley said.

New York City is one of the greatest places for music and all the festivities that come along with hosting the Grammys, and our campus is at the heart of it. Take this opportunity to join the excitement of the 60th Annual Grammy Awards!