THE celebrations of 50 years of Jamaican independence are not over yet at City Screen, York.

The principal focus fell on Independence Day on Monday this week, but an exhibition marking the golden anniversary through a retrospective look at the Caribbean island’s music scene will continue in the corridor upstairs until August 26.

Monday began with reggae records being played in the Sky Lounge in the daytime, followed by DJ sets in the bar until midnight and an evening screening of Jimmy Cliff’s classic film The Harder They Come.

The exhibition and Independence Day events were put together by Lu Mason and Alice Maynard, while fellow “die-hard reggae fans” Adam Binns Nic Gough have been involved with the corridor display too.

On show are flyers, posters, and original pieces of art inspired by the music of Bob Marley, Lee “Scratch” Perry and co. “Our collaboration looks at the history of Jamaican reggae music, its artists, producers and songs and explores the culture of sound systems and the way that the music reuses and reworks its own back catalogue,” says Lu.

The exhibition is part of a Yorkreggae scene that “embraces all ages and types of people”, according to Lu.

“York’s sound system, Irie Vibes, has two monthly nights,” she says. “Irie Vibes at The Crescent WMC takes place on the third Saturday in the month, usually with visiting DJs, singers, sound systems and free food.

“Different types of reggae feature, from ska, roots to dubstep; all ages welcome, and though there’s an entrance fee, it’s not much, especially before 10pm. However, the next night will beon the fourth Saturday, August 31.”

Irie Vibes’ second regular event, the Snickledub night at the Snickleway pub in Goodramgate, is held on the second Thursday of the month from 6pm to midnight. “There are lots of different DJs, each one doing a short set before handing over to the next DJ,” says Lu.

Crucial Reggae runs at the Three Legged Mare, invariably on the second Sunday of each month, with free admission, free food and music from 6pm to midnight.

Bangarang at Stereo, in Gillygate, specialises in reggae from the 1960s and 1970s. “It’s all about rare sounds, lots of dancing and a party atmosphere,” says Lu. “Though it’s on hold over the summer holidays, it starts up again from October onwards on the first Friday of the month.”

Opening an invitation to newcomers and reggae regulars alike, Lu says: “Most of these nights are vinyl only; they’re all very friendly and all ages are welcome. No one makes any money from it; it’s all done for the love of the music.”