A raise-the-roof set from Darlene Love and Freda Payne

Run, don’t walk, to Feinstein’s at the Cinegrill some time before May 10.

What’s the rush?

The fact that there are only 11 more opportunities to experience the persuasive joys of Darlene Love and Freda Payne before their spectacular act -- cleverly titled “Love and Payne”-- has its last performance.

The word “diva” is thrown around randomly these days, frequently at performers with in-your-face stage presence masking modest artistic skills. Love and Payne put the word firmly back into perspective in a presentation that managed to tear the roof off while touching the heart. Delivered with consummate style and musicality, it offered the sort of memorable entertainment that is often promised, too rarely delivered.

The evening began in high gear with a series of duets flowing from an initial, spirited romp through “Love” (“can be a burning ember,” etc.).

Love followed with a gospel-tinged, emotion-laden “At Last” before turning down the flame with an intimate rendering of “Sometimes When We Touch.”

After a humorous “Story of Our Lives” duet medley (“Puppy Love,” “Band of Gold,” “She Was a Vamp”), Payne took the spotlight.

Displaying her considerable versatility, she offered a poignant, in-the-wee-small-hours version of “Angel Eyes,” a sensual “Use Me” and a climactic, tell-it-like-it-is interpretation of “Blues in the Night.”

Winding up an evening that ended far too soon, the pair returned for a lovely medley of Leon Russell’s “A Song for You” blended with Stevie Wonder’s “All in Love Is Fair” and a concluding “How Sweet It Is” -- the perfect description of this splendid performance.

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Darlene Love and Freda Payne

Where: Feinstein’s at the Cinegrill in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

When: Tonight and Saturday and Tuesday-May 10

Price: $35 plus $30 minimum beverage or dinner purchase

Info: (323) 769-7269

Running time: Thursdays at 8:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.