Entertainer Kevin Hart, one of stand-up comedy's biggest arena stars, will try out new material in a just-announced event at 8 p.m. Friday in New London's Garde Arts Center. A spokesman at the Garde said they were unable to disclose how the booking came about, though Hart is making a 10 p.m. appearance that same night at his own 38th birthday party in Foxwoods' Grand Pequot Ballroom.

Hart is not performing at the birthday celebration.

Last October, Hart headlined and emceed the "Comedy All-Star Gala" in the Mohegan Sun Arena, which also featured Sarah Silverman, Margaret Cho and Dave Attell. Hart is host of a brand new Comedy Central series spotlighting young comics called "The Next Level," and he also voices the character George in the current animated hit film "Captain Underpants."

Tickets for Hart's Garde show are $35 and are on sale now. The Garde Arts Center is located at 325 State St., New London; (860) 444-7373, gardearts.org.

For tickets, visit http://www.etix.com/ticket/p/3791394?cobrand=kevinhart