I want to create a Performance/Intimidation oriented build for the Dawnflower Dervish; one that evokes the 'Bladedancer' imagery.

To this end, I have 1 level in Thug to capitalize on Enforcer (also have Blade of Mercy trait), and also to provide Sneak Attacks when I get Shatter Defenses, which would then let me trigger Violent Display. I also have 2 levels in Corsair to get an extra Feat and Cleave without the STR requirements.

The build I'm currently going for is appended below.

Here's the dilemma - I had originally intended to put the rest of my levels in Paladin (Hospitaler), so that I have Smite Evil + saves + heals + immunities + auras + can take the Turn Undead feat, which would address the problem of Undead being immune to my Intimidation. However the more I look at the basic Bard capabilities, the more it seems the Bard is a good choice too!

• Lingering Performance! I discovered I could use this to conserve my Bardic Performance rounds! And the Battle Dance via Dawnflower Dervish archetype is a move action, and it easily compensates for the lack of Paladin's BAB progression!
• If I reach Level 15 Bard, my Inspire Heroics Battle Dance would give me +8 to AC and all Saving Throws! Comes a bit late, but a worthy alternative to the Paladin's Divine Grace.
• I really like fighting so the Paladin's Lawful Good requirement may not fit well with those tendencies.
• My latest Pathfinder session taught me that Pathfinder can be pretty puzzle-heavy; even a low INT Bard has access to a ton of Skills that can help in non-combat challenges!
• Soothing Performance seems like an excellent out-of-combat healing option!
• I heard Paladin spells aren't that great, while Bard spells are pretty strong?

TL;DR - I have these questions about Bards, which will help me decide between Bard and Paladin:

• Am I interpreting the writing correctly? Rather than sacrificing a Feat, I can sacrifice one Level 2 Spell known to get Pageant of the Peacock?
• Can I use Pageant of the Peacock in tandem with Versatile Performance (Song) to use my Perform (Song) modifier to do Spellcraft / Appraise checks?
• Are their 'better' Bardic Masterpieces I should consider? The general opinion from Googling seems to be that they're all not very good.
• If I've started two different Bardic Performances / Battle Dances via Virtuoso Performance, can I terminate both of them on my next turn and benefit from both of their performance effects via Lingering Performance?
• Does Discordant Voice also work with Lingering Performance?
• Wands seem to have a reputation for being extremely cheap; yet the prices here seem pretty expensive? Does the reputation only apply for 1st level spells? Cure Light Wounds might be a useful choice - how does crafting it work (link only seems to mention costs, not process)? The cost scales with my Caster Level, does that mean I can craft a ton of cheap Cure Light Wounds Wands if I keep my Caster Level low (via going Paladin)?
• Glittering Dust sounds like an awesome spell for getting around Fear/Mind-immune enemies! What other Bard spells are like this?
• What is the range on these Bardic Performances? They requiring being heard / seen to work - how does that translate to distance?
• If I cast Soothing Performance, does that mean I massively heal every ally and massively damage every Undead that can see and hear me?
• Is 3d8 + 1 per caster level of positive energy damage going to wipe out Undead at Level 12?
• Is Cleave worth it? Online opinions seem pretty divided on this - would Cleave be more valuable if both my companions are Casters?
• 1d6 from Sneak Attack + 1d6 from Savage Display + 1d6 from Discordant Voice + 6 from Inspire Courage (Battle Dance). Is this a lot of melee attack damage at Level 11?
• Since I have a Feat opening at level 7 due to insufficient BAB, perhaps I should consider getting 3 levels of Rogue instead of Fighter levels for an additional 1d6 Sneak Attack damage?
• I try to make all my attacks nonlethal to trigger Enforcer. Is my Sneak Attack damage nonlethal? How about my Savage Display and Inspire Courage damage?
• What restrictions are there on performing Nonlethal damage? Can I do a 'Nonlethal' Charge?
• Does a spell like Air Step seriously require me to sacrifice a goose feather every time I cast it? I need 'butter' every time I cast Grease? (lol)
• Bards can cast Phantom Steed - it can't attack, so I guess it's only useful for Riding? Definitely useful in some roleplay situations, but what about combat? Would I need points in Ride for mounted combat / spell-casting? Can I even Battle Dance on a mount?

Which direction would you personally choose, and why?

Do you have any other tips on building / playing a Bard?

Apologies for the wall-of-text, thanks in advance!

    Fighter (Corsair)         [01] Enforcer, Weapon Focus (Scimitar), Dazzling Display
    Bard (Dawnflower Dervish) [02] (Bonus Feat) Dervish Dance
    Fighter (Corsair)         [03] (Bonus Feat) Cleave, Savage Display
    Rogue (Thug)              [04] (Bonus Feat) Frightening
    Bard (Dawnflower Dervish) [05] Performing Combatant 
    Paladin (Hospitaler)      [06]
    Paladin (Hospitaler)      [07] ???      // I could postpone taking Thug to get +6 BAB earlier, but that would ruin role-playing a Paladin.
    Paladin (Hospitaler)      [08]          
    Paladin (Hospitaler)      [09] Shatter Defenses
    Paladin (Hospitaler)      [10] 
    Paladin (Hospitaler)      [11] Violent Display
    Paladin (Hospitaler)      [12]
    Paladin (Hospitaler)      [13] Turn Undead