The Roslindale Village Main Streets (RVMS) annual Gala is next Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Roslindale Substation.

The night will feature dancing, food, drink, speeches and an appearance from the guest of honor, Glenn Williams. The night is dedicated to him and his late wife Janice Williams, who both helped to shape Rozzie Square (or Rossie) into the art and culture destination it is today.

RVMS Executive Director Emma Blaxtor said the pair have dedicated their lives to the neighborhood, helping to start or move along countless mainstays in Roslindale, like Open Studios, Porchfest, Public, Educational and Government Access shows, the Boston Arts Academy, All About the Arts, the Roslindale Arts Alliance, and much more.

Blaxtor said the process of selecting an honoree or honorees is fairly simply. Basically, the community and RVMS Board members bring candidates and the Board votes on each. She said the Williams’ was a long time coming.

“We got many nominations for community leaders, and there were a lot of nominations for Glenn and Janice, and for the members of the Board the pair are incredibly meaningful, and so it made a lot of sense to ask Glenn if we could honor him,” she said. “We’re so happy he said yes.”

Blaxter said Janice’s impact in Roslindale is still being felt throughout the neighborhood, but she said she herself can personally see her legacy just at the RVMS office.

“I didn’t personally get to meet her, but I see her legacy in what I’m doing now,” she said. “I know she and Glenn worked really hard to move the Farmers Market to Adams Park, and what an incredibly wise thing that was to do. I’ve been told she was the last RVMS Executive Director who ran this office as a staff of one. We are now three staff members, hopefully going on four, and I can’t imagine what a force you’d have to be to do this, and just be so well connected and so good at activating volunteers in the community. I’m just really amazed by her and what she was able to accomplish.”

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“So many of the things they’ve founded have great succession plans, and other people have picked the mantle and carried on these things that are part of the fabric of the neighborhood,” she said. “The Farmers Market, Porchfest, Open Studios, just to name a few. They’re three of my favorite things here in the neighborhood they’re directly tied to and we might not have had the events without them. Understanding that, it feels so fitting for the Gala next week.”

Blaxter said Glenn Williams is still working hard at the Boston Neighborhood Network Studios filming shows and spreading the Boston community.

“He is such a visible force to the neighborhood,” she said “I’m still somewhat new to the position here, and last year I asked him to emcee the tree lighting, and it’s just so much fun to work with him. He knows everybody, he loves being in that position of facilitating community dialogue. It was just amazing to be on stage with him. He’s so good at it.”

For tickets and more information, go to Roslindale.net