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Disney whirl: Little Mermen plays prom party in Williamsburg

Disney whirl: Little Mermen plays prom party in Williamsburg
Christopher Smith

Be their guest!

Rock band the Little Mermen will host a nostalgia-filled “Disney Prom” in Williamsburg on May 21, designed to make couples stop wishing upon a star and feel the love that night. The leading merman of the band, which plays rockified versions of classic tunes from Disney animated musicals, says that it is a natural fit for them to host a dance party.

“There is always a ball in those older Disney movies,” said Alexis Babini, the band’s frontman. “Somebody said ‘Disney Prom’ and it just stuck.”

Babini, a self-confessed Disney nerd with a successful solo career — he recently released the adult-oriented track “Let’s Get Stoned” — said that he and his backing band’s foray into cartoon tunes was unplanned.

“It started off as a joke,” he said. “When the guys and I were super new we would always run out of songs at gigs. One day we were the opening act for Aaron Carter and we did a Disney song cover as a filler. It went down amazingly.”

Having discovered a whole new world of musical possibilities, the group could not let it go, let it go. Soon, under the name The Little Mermen, the group hosted a full night of Disney covers, playing a benefit concert for “Musicians on Call,” a volunteer group that brings live music to poor unfortunate souls in hospitals.

The gang dons costumes for the shows to honor the theatrical roots of the songs, and they encourage audience members to dress up as well. Gents who just can’t wait to be king should definitely spiff themselves up, because the band will crown a Prom King and Queen for the evening.

And unlike your real prom, there is no need to sneak in a flask — the venue will offer special Disney-themed cocktails like the Glass Slipper and Fairy Dust.

Babini said that he appreciates the musical challenge of the Disney tunes.

“It is pretty unusual to have musical stuff this complex in rock — so many harmonic changes!” he said.

One of his biggest thrills was meeting the composer of some of the band’s favored tunes.

“Alan Menken came to one of our shows!” said Babini, gushing over the composer of “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin.” Babini also admires Park Slope songwriter Robert Lopez, who wrote songs for “Frozen.”

The Little Mermen have been playing together a long time, and there is no sign that they will stop whistling while they work.

“We all have known each other from high school,” said Babini. “I was there when our drummer, Ken, was crowned Prom King.”

Disney Prom with The Little Mermen at the Hall at MP [470 Driggs Ave. between N. 10th and N. 11th streets in Williamsburg, (718) 387–4001, www.thehallbrooklyn.com]. May 21 at 10:30 pm. $20 ($15 in advance, $25 with reserved seats).

Belle of the ball: Nicole Tureski provides the female vocals and a princess presence for The Little Mermen.
Christopher Smith