Tower 13 Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary with Live Music Charity Event

Cardiff Beach Bar @ Tower 13 and Valhalla High School junior Austin Gatus both have something to celebrate.  September marks the restaurant’s one-year anniversary, and the El Cajon teen, who is four years cancer-free, will help raise money during Children’s Cancer Awareness month by taking part in Tower 13’s “Rock the Tower” taking place on Saturday, September 14 from 1pm to 1am featuring 20 bands playing non-stop.  Twenty percent of the day’s proceeds will benefit Rady’s Children’s Hospital, where Austin has been patient since being diagnosed at age 9, as well as other children’s cancer causes.

“I am so excited to be part of this awesome event and to raise further awareness for childhood,” says Austin.  I'm also looking forward to performing at Tower 13 and listening to other talented musicians in our community!”

“Rock the Tower” will feature 12 hours of non-stop music from more than 20 local and regional bands beginning at 1pm and continuing until 1am.  A musical benefit seems a natural fit considering 17-year-old Austin is a talented saxophone player who has played with such luminaries as Dave Koz, Average White Band, Mindi Abair and Kenny G.   He became interested in music at a young age and, at only nine years old, he was part of a middle school jazz band.  Things changed on April 9, 2006, when Austin became ill during spring break and was diagnosed with leukemia.  The next three years was a revolving door of chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, infections, and several stays in the ICU that almost ended his life. 

Today, Austin is cancer-free and his motto, do something nice for someone each day, is what inspired Tower 13’s owner Doug Wetherald and his business partner Ray Sheets to host the celebration and benefit.  

“This has been a great first year for Tower 13, “said Wetherald, a resident of nearby Leucadia.  “We felt a need to give back to the community, so we decided to mark our one-year anniversary by paying it forward.  Austin is an amazing and passionate young man and we want to help other kids and their families facing the same uncertainties.  We hope the community will come out, celebrate, and help us raise a substantial amount of money for Rady’s Children’s Hospital and other children cancer-related causes.” 

Those who attend the fundraiser and celebration can enjoy Executive Chef AJ Mortazavi’s menu of creative appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, salads and entrees.  Chef Mortazavi sources ingredients from local farms and purveyors.  His menu pleases a wide array of palates with items such as fresh lobster served stacked, atop a salad, or delicately immersed in a bisque.  The menu also features vegan and vegetarian options.  The restaurant also features some two dozen tap handles pouring mostly local craft beers plus a full bar of innovative and classic cocktails plus a lengthy list of wines by the glass. 

– www.tower13.com press release