‘ARTist’ is a piece that explores how everyday images and moments inspire us, and how important we are in the struggle of today’s world. Choreography by Mukhtar Omar Sharif Mukhtar
This piece was performed in collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Nevada Ballet Theatre.
1.”Lost & Found” by Amon Tobin,
2.”Comptine D’un Autre Ete:L’apres” by Yann Tierson,
3.”Crystallize” by Lindsey Sterling,
4.”Dialectics” by Anthony Anaxagorou
Mr Mukhtar O.S Mukhtar has been directing, choreographing and dancing for the past 12 years and began at the age of 18. It was his dream as a child to be a performer. He attended the University of Westminster in London UK where he studied Forensic science from 2003-2005. Also, at the same time as studying, Mukhtar was training hard in his dancing and choreographic ability, during this time, mukhtar was in the process of creating one of the most successful hip hop company (PLAGUE) to come out of the UK. Mukhtar created Plague in 2000 and handpicked the dancers he thought would bring his vision to the stage. After training his dancers intensely for 2 years, Mukhtar then led the company to their first UK Streetdance championship beating 25 other companies to the prestigious prize of being the best in the UK in 2003.
Mukhtar with his crew PLAGUE then decided to defend their crown in 2004 and became the first Hip Hop Company to win the UK streetdance championships 2 years in a row. This was a great achievement and showed how mukhtars work and creativity was expanding.
Mukhtar Led Plague to their 3rd UK championship success by winning the UK (Idance) Hip hop championships in 2005 meaning they were selected to represent the UK at the WORLD Hip Hop international Championships in Los Angeles, USA where they competed against 30 other nations.
Mukhtar became the latest addition to The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil at the Mirage in Las Vegas and the show has since won 3 Grammy awards and performed on big shows such as:
The tonight show (jay Leno), Americas got talent, Larry King Live, The NHL awards, BBC “IMAGINE” television special, 3D Movie with James Cameron and Andrew Adamson, due in theaters August 2011 and many more.
Mukhtar has since Choreographed 2 special events shows for Cirque du soleil, flown out to India to dance in Bollywood movie ‘Singh is King’, hired to be an assistant choreographer and performer in the 2008 Beijing Olympic opening and closing ceremonies
Mukhtar was also requested to judge the UK streetdance championships as his knowledge and experience for the dance had flourished. He was also in the same show awarded ‘Most outstanding achievement award’ for his contribution to streetdance and the arts in the UK.
He was also contacted by the hip hop international championships in Las Vegas to judge the US hip hop championships in 2009.
Anthony Anaxagorou began writing short stories and poems at the age of 14 influenced mainly by both hip-hop and folk music until in 2002, at the age of 17, he entered and won the London Mayors Poetry Slam with his poem Anthropos.[1] Following this he made a number of television and radio appearances where he read out various poems, including a live recital on BBC London Radio and a television interview followed by a recital with Vanessa Feltz on the Community Channel.
In 2009 he published his first book Card Not Accepted, which stands as a collection of essays, short stories and poetry all reflecting moments from his life and an overall commentary of western living. Much of his work consists around the spiritual search for inner peace and the detachment from various societal ideals, however a huge section of his work encompasses themes that deal with politics, racism, history and philosophy. He writes from his own personal experiences in a style that is honest and compelling, this is what has so far won him the admiration and affection of many.
In May 2009 the poem “Himself” taken from the book Card Not Accepted, was chosen by MOBO award winning hip hop artist Akala to be read out on BBC News Night Review as part of the arts and poetry weekend.
He has also attended workshops set up by the Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company and the Royal Shakespeare Company who collectively came together to discuss more innovative and captivating ways Shakespeare could be taught in schools across Britain.
June 2010 saw the release of his fourth publication. A digital ebook entitled The Lost Definition of Hope which featured a number of poems written over a space of four months. A portion of the books price was given to Médecins Sans Frontières, an independent organisation who deal with getting aid out to countries caught in heavy conflict.[3]
In November 2010 he toured the UK supporting MOBO award winning hip-hop artist Akala in his ‘DoubleThink’ tour. He performed poetry from all the major titles of his work in cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Exeter and Liverpool.
In July 2011 he wrote a spoken word piece called If I Told You which begins by questioning the validity and accuracy of historical documentation especially that regarding Africa. The poem then begins to explore current affairs, propaganda systems, the prison industry complex as well as the more existential issues such as ego, love, insecurity and hope.
