Super storm Sandy may have put a damper on Halloween but not so much on the annual Knock Out Abuse (KOA) and Fight for Children "Fight Night" events that raise millions of dollars each year in DC.  Fight Night again raised a fortune for Fight for Children, the nonprofit that helps DC kids receive a great education and stay healthy so they can learn.

The holiday season is just around the corner, making now the perfect time to start planning private events and parties. For those looking to find a great party atmosphere in a wonderful location it can be a difficult decision if they don’t know what to look for when choosing a party place to reserve.

“Sometimes people overlook the simple things when it comes to reserving a party,” says Ryan Fichter, Executive Chef at both the Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge and Thunder Burger & Bar. “Yet those are the ones that are usually what help to make it a great party.”

Here are a few tips for choosing where to hold your holiday party this year:

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there are over 176,000 musicians and singers in the country. Many people dream of a career in music, yet don’t know where to begin or how to make it happen. For those who do, there are often certain things that they do in order to make it big. Knowing what those things are, and being able to pull them off, can make all the difference.

“Many people who want to become musicians or have a career in the hip hop industry shy away from it because they are afraid they won’t be successful,” explains Steve Lobel, well-known celebrity music manager. “But their success starts with what they believe. If you believe in yourself, you can make it happen.”