In the Belly of the Bird / Godmother

Memory and loss intertwine through movement and spoken word as performers seek to answer a haunting question: can a mother's voice live on in the call of a bird? In the Belly of the Bird / Godmother: A Poetic-Theatrical Dance Performance by Pioneer Winter Collective brings this poignant journey to The Jewel Box on Wednesday, April 30 as part of the O, Miami Poetry Festival.

The performance explores choreographer Pioneer Winter's personal story—his mother passed away at 37, and now at the same age, he wonders if an African Grey parrot given away after her death still carries echoes of her voice. This intimate narrative unfolds through an intergenerational cast of women in their early 60s, blending dance with dreamlike imagery to explore the fantastical premise of finding a mother's spirit within a missing bird.

Pioneer Winter Collective, established in 2016, is known for creating physically integrated and intergenerational dance theater that challenges conventional definitions of dance. The company's work embodies the complexities of identity and community while embracing risk as a vital force to push boundaries in both movement and thought. With a focus on queer visibility and beauty beyond the mainstream, the collective creates performances that transform public spaces, museums, galleries and traditional stages.

The collective is guided by the belief that every body dances and every body has capacity for virtuosity, making this performance a unique opportunity to witness innovative dance that democratizes performance art.