The Pigeon and The Dove: A History of Hatred & Love is a powerful new lo-fi folk opera (and potential podcast) about Pigeons! Well, really, it’s about housing insecurity and people experiencing homelessness. A mix of comedy, social justice, and dark yet danceable tunes. Winner of the 'Stir Social Impact Award' in 2023.

Much like the homeless and the housed, the pigeon and the dove are, in fact, the same damn bird. ‘They’ are ‘Us’. Through celebrating the lowly pigeon, we will explore how perception affects the support we offer those experiencing homelessness and how we may prevent this global crisis on a local level. Inspired by the works of Buffy Sainte-Marie and Dr. Gabor Mate, Vancouver singer-songwriting couple Reid Jamieson and Carolyn Victoria Mill (aka CVM) use a mix of music and comedy to explore the tipping point, where we go from housed to homeless, with a wider variety of causes than we might think. With cycles of lighthearted vignettes about the much-maligned pigeon, related insight from local housing advocates, and dark but danceable songs reflecting on just some of the many roads one can take to end up on the street. By singing these stories we may find them easier to hear. But really, it’s about pigeons. Prepare to be amazed by this fascinating bird of lost paradise as we take an eye-opening journey of perception, with a bird’s eye view of those living on the street.

Written & directed by Carolyn Victoria Mill.
Music created and performed with Reid Jamieson.