Antibalas just wrapped a mid-week Mid-Atlantic run with The Funk Ark serving as openers. The bands already cross-pollinate—Funk Ark bandleader Will Rast also serves as touring keyboardist for Antibalas—but these shows were the first time the two bands have formally shared a bill.

The first of the two shows went down on Tuesday at The Rex in Pittsburgh, and featured Antibalas percussionist Marcus Farrar joining The Funk Ark halfway through their set for “419,” and remaining on stage through the end of the opening set. The second of the two shows was last night at The Black Cat in Washington, DC. On this occasion The Funk Ark were joined by the majority of Antibalas’s horn section—saxophonists Martin Perna and Morgan Price and trombonist Raymond James Mason—on “High Noon,” the title track from their most recent ESL Music release. The Funk Ark returned the favor, with saxophonist Mike Kammers sitting in with the headliners on “Battle of the Species.”

Antibalas have two NYC area shows coming up October 12-13, before hitting Bear Creek in November. The Funk Ark will be opening for Deacon John in DC on October 18, and as previously reported will be sharing the stage with Everyone Orchestra in Philadelphia next month.