Although lately you can find Jordan behind the bar of Tacoma hot spot The Mix, his face may be more familiar than you realize. Think: MLKBallet, Tempest Lounge, and 1022’s South predecessor — The Monsoon Room. Gunderson seems to have become a staple to the downtown scene, so seeing him behind the bar during my latest visit to The Mix was no surprise to me.



I caught Gunderson on his birthday as he shared with me his party plans, future plans, and plans to make more plans. Never before have I seen someone so free to live life to its fullest, yet harbor the ability to do so with responsibility and tact. I admired Gunderson as he displayed photos of clever T-shirt ideas and bounced along to his YouTube playlist. Time spent with Gunderson is time well spent. And after spending time with Gunderson is, well, when you’re simply spent.

 

STEPH DEROSA: It’s your birthday, plus I hear there’s an anniversary coming up.


JORDAN GUNDERSON: Yes, it’s my birthday today! I wore a tiara for the occasion. And you heard right, it is the one year anniversary of The Mix. We’ll be partying here all weekend, starting Thursday.



DEROSA: Excellent! Go on …


GUNDERSON: Thursday night is “Porn Star Night” with suicide karaoke and T-shirt giveaways.



DEROSA: You’d do anything to dress up like a porn star, wouldn’t you? I bet you even have your cheesy costume with you already.



GUNDERSON: Yep! I will be a ’70s porn star, complete with a polyester suit and a really thick ’70s porn moustache.



DEROSA: Please tell me your shirt will be unbuttoned down to your belly button.


GUNDERSON: Of course it will. Then Friday night is the “White Party”, and I’ll be bartending in nothing but white underwear.



DEROSA: Oh, man. Gay or straight, I don’t care — that’s HOT.


GUNDERSON: Saturday night will be the “Spring Fling” party with free food from Pacific Grill, karaoke, and dirty bingo. Steph, you heard that, right? I said DIRTY bingo.



DEROSA: Mmmm, dirty. I heard that. I can tell we’re going to be long time friends.


GUNDERSON: Yes, but not here in Tacoma. I’m moving to Chicago next moth.



DEROSA: What does Chicago have that Tacoma doesn’t?


GUNDERSON: I’m going to join a few dance schools in the Chicago area. Males are really in demand, and plus I’ve always loved Chicago.



DEROSA: OK, fine. But you need to tell me at least one thing you’ll miss about The Mix.


GUNDERSON: The photo booth!



DEROSA: Ever had to wipe it down afterward?


GUNDERSON: Only once. It was quite the display. I don’t think the girl and guy inside realized people could see through the curtain.



DEROSA: That’s hilarious! Do you have a tiara for me? Let’s get a birthday picture in the photo booth together.



GUNDERSON: Oh you bet I have a tiara for you, and watch out — I’m magic in that photo booth.



DEROSA: Excellent!



MIX CO-OWNER BROCK: Great. Make that two times we’ve had to wipe it down afterward.

[The Mix, 635 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.4327]