Hi Taheya ( Love the name by the way! Another Egyptian Legend,Taheya Karioka)
Um Kulthum's songs are best performed instrumentally. Many singers will actually not perform her music simply because of the inevitable unfavorable comparison.
Only Nancy Ajram has successfully sung an Um Kulthum song and she was only encouraged because she was young,13/14.
If you must dance to while Um Kulthum sings, do it for a younger audience and while being respectful. It does not hurt to point out that you know you shouldn't, but the song moved you or whatever. You were artistically inspired or whatnot.
Egyptians as a rule do not accept that, but you won't be heckled. Most likely the audience will feel offended. Um Kulthum has such a place in our hearts. It's hard to explain. If you get a chance check out the documentaty, Um Kulthum, A Voice Like Egypt.
I agree, C. Sahar, many Egyptian dancers need to warm up before they can be fully appreciated. Egyptian dancers rely so heavily on audience interaction that the their performance improves depending on how well the audience is invested. Sometimes, a dancer's show can be completely turned around, especially if she planned a fast show and they wanted Sha'by
