Santana with Dumpstaphunk in San Francisco

Dumpstaphunk had a hell of a New Year’s weekend, jamming with legendary guitarist Carlos Santana and Sly & The Family Stone drummer Greg Errico on Dec. 28, and teaming up with musical prankster Dean Ween as well as Funkadelic guitarist Michael “Kidd Funkadelic” Hampton on Dec. 30.

Opening for Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe in San Francisco, Dumpstaphunk’s Dec. 28 gig peaked with the aforementioned Santana sit-in. The appearance of the iconic guitarist was allegedly a surprise, as he was brought to the show by Errico, who has been a collaborator and friend to Dumpstaphunk for some time.

In fact, it was so spontaneous Santana didn’t even bring his own guitar. Dumpstaphunk’s Tony Hall switched to bass and loaned him his stratocaster for a stand-alone version of Buddy Miles Express’ “United Nations Stomp.” Afterwards, Errico made his own appearance onstage, getting behind the kit for Sly & The Family Stone’s “Sing A Simple Song.”

Dumpstapunk then made a quick, Dec. 29 pit stop at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colo. to celebrate with String Cheese Incident.

On Dec. 31, Dean Ween Group enjoyed a “Deaner in the Dumpsta” double-billing with Dumpstaphunk, and offered several more collaborative moments in Denver.

Opening with “The Ritz Carlton,” from his recent Rock2 LP, Deaner played a 13-song set, including a single Ween tune, closing with “The Rift.” His arsenal of all-star musicians consisted of Ween bandmate Dave Dreiwitz, Funkadelic guitarist Michael “Kidd Funkadelic” Hampton and drummer Sim Cain.

As the clock inched toward midnight, Dumpstaphunk took the stage with Dean Ween and Kidd Funkadelic to count down the new year. Afterwards, the collective jammed a 25-minute ode to P-Funk, seguing “Up For The Down Stroke”> “Unfunky UFO.” Later, Hampton returned once more, adding his guitar to [[What Dumpsta song was this?]]

Looking ahead, Dumpstaphunk’s next gig will be at Dead & Company’s sold-out Playing in the Sand destination event.

Enjoy some clips and photos from the two star-studded shows below:

Dumpstaphunk with Carlos Santana

Dumpstaphunk, Kidd Funkadelic and Dean Ween:

Dean Ween and Kidd Funkadelic on “Up For The Down Stroke”> “Unfunky UFO” (courtesy of Silverback Artist Management):