“Absorb their divaliciousness,” said Melissa Peterman, Divas NashVegas emcee and Reba’s comedic co-star on her hit TV show, as she was carried onstage in a golden throne-like chaise lounge. Melissa channeled a succession of divas—from ditzy disco queen to Hollywood glam girl to an amazingly canny, very funny Reba lookalike. Benefiting Oasis Center, this four-year-old event has established preeminence on the party scene.

The evening began with cocktails in the Parthenon. Then the crowd moved under a tent for dinner from Loveless Café and one incredible line-up of talent. Four-time Grammy winner Yolanda Adams was the warm-up act for  Wynonna, the event’s artistic constant, who opened her set with a powerful performance of her 2003 hit, “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Million-seller Reba McEntire closed the evening with a show that gratifyingly recapped her biggest hits.

Please see the print issue for the entire article and photo presentation.

—photographs by sinclair kelly and eric england