Moat Arts Festival is back for 2023 and – for the first time ever – it’s coming to you on every campus!
Moat Arts Festival celebrates culture and creativity, engaging students with performing and creative arts, no matter what you study!
Moat first began in 1984 as a university-wide performing arts festival, launched by then Vice-Chancellor, J.F. Scott. Since then, it has been the longest-running student theatre festival, run by La Trobe Student Theatre and Film, and has allowed students to share their work and talents with the wider community.
Whether you consider yourself an art buff, or just want to get involved, Moat has got you covered! For the first time, we’ve got activities on all La Trobe campuses in Victoria!
Enjoy some student performances at our Moat Arts Festival Launch and STF shows, come along to our Twilight Markets, or try your hand at something new.
Moat Arts Festival highlights include:
- Moat Launch Showcase | Melbourne (Bundoora), Tuesday 18 April
- STF Presents – The Importance of Being Earnest | Melbourne (Bundoora), Friday 21 – Saturday 22 April
- Moat Twilight Market | Melbourne (Bundoora), Thursday 27 April
- Moat Lights Festival! | Shepparton 1 – 4 May
- Paint & Sip with La Trobe Leaders | City, Melbourne (Bundoora), Bendigo and Albury-Wodonga, various dates
- Campus Create & Chill (Moat x Uni Mental Health Day) | Albury-Wodonga, Tuesday 2 May
- Moat Twilight Market | Bendigo, Wednesday 10 May
- Paint & Sip | Mildura, Wednesday 3 May
- STF Presents – Plunging Into Performance: Staged Reading of The Twisted Sisters | Melbourne (Bundoora), Thursday 4 May
- Moat Closing Karaoke Party | Melbourne (Bundoora) Thursday 4 May
- Free Comedy Festival tix | All Campuses, various dates
Keep up with the action by following La Trobe Student Theatre and Film on Instagram and Facebook.
Moat Arts Festival is from Tuesday 18 April – Thursday 4 May 2023.
Follow the link to your campus below to see what’s on during Moat Arts Festival!
All Campuses
| What’s on | When and where |
| Free Tickets – Melbourne International Comedy Festival Check out the best of Melbourne International Comedy Festival with free tickets to the Comedy Festival Roadshow (Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Shepparton and Mildura) and The Comic’s Lounge (Melbourne). Check out each campus for more details! | Various dates and venues Register now |
| University Mental Health day Webinar with special guest Bachar Houli Join us for a 60-minute webinar organised by Medibank and run by La Trobe University for La Trobe staff and students by Bachar Houli on University Mental Health Day, as he raises awareness of the mental health and wellbeing needs of those studying or working in higher education. Drawing on his lived experience, Bachar will share his personal journey with mental health, including the challenges and opportunities that he faced during his time in the AFL. This event is a partnership between Medibank and La Trobe University. | Tuesday 2 May 10 am – 11 am Register now |
Albury-Wodonga
| What’s on | When and where |
| Uni Night with SWaBS: Shrek Rave Uni Nights are back, with SWaBS! You’re invited to the Beer Deluxe swamp for SHREK RAVE! There’ll be DJs playing Shrek hits & party bangers all night long to bring out your inner ogre! The SWaBS taxi will take you to and from campus! You just get yourselves the tickets! Shrek Rave doesn’t stop at the music – there’ll be a Shrek Themed Balloon Wall Photoshoot; ‘I’m A Believer’ singalong at midnight; Shrek Visuals; Shrek Giveaways; Shrek themed drinks; free Green Glow Sticks and free Green Glitter Bar. And don’t forget… the best Shrek inspired outfit wins a $100 voucher! | Saturday 28 April Beer Deluxe |
| Paint & Sip with La Trobe Leaders You are invited to join La Trobe Leaders for a Paint & Sip session! All students are welcome (you do not need to be a Leader). Come and join us for a fun evening of socialising and painting on canvas – no artistic talent required! A small selection of refreshments will also be on offer. Register now to avoid missing out! | Monday 1 May Student Commons 4 pm – 6 pm Register now |
| Campus Create and Chill Join us for a celebration of creativity and arts, designed to help you relax, take a breath and try something new. This special event is a mash-up of La Trobe’s Moat Arts Festival and University Mental Health Day. There’ll be free food, music, roving performers, crafting and more. | Tuesday 2 May 12 pm – 2 pm |
| Competition: Win a double pass to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow! Win with Moat Arts Festival! We have 5 x double passes to give away to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow! Australia’s biggest and best comedy festival is hitting the road for a huge 25th year! Featuring the best and brightest of the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, MICF is bringing the funny to you! Get ready for a stellar line-up with Roadshow favourites alongside the most talked-about breakthrough stars of the moment, together in one jam-packed show that’s sure to leave the whole nation laughing. | Friday 19 May The Cube, Wodonga 7.30 pm Submit your entry to win here |
Bendigo
| What’s on | When and where |
| Paint & Sip with La Trobe Leaders You are invited to join La Trobe Leaders for a Paint & Sip session! All students are welcome (you do not need to be a Leader). Come and join us for a fun evening of socialising and painting on canvas – no artistic talent required! A small selection of refreshments will also be on offer. Register now to avoid missing out! | Wednesday 19 April Gallery Space 5 pm – 7 pm Register now |
| Poster Sale! After four years away, the Poster Sale is back! Setting up on the LSU Floor, choose posters from your favourite bands, anime, cult movies and more! | Monday 1 May and Tuesday 2 May 8 am – 5 pm LSU |
| UMHD International Student Movie Night Student Wellbeing Connect has partnered with the International Student Relief Funds to present The University Mental Health Day Movie Night. Everyone is welcome to join us in the Gallery and enjoy the double feature; Pixar’s Up and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We will have a potato food truck out front and sweet cupcakes for dessert. Bring your comfy blanket and grab one of the beanbags and enjoy the movie with your friends. We are looking forward to seeing everyone! | LSU Gallery Tuesday 2 May 5 pm – 10 pm |
| Moat Twilight Market The Moat Twilight Market is a key event in the Moat Arts Festival calendar! It celebrates all things creative: performance, music, craft and art! There’ll be stalls, music, face painting and a book swap, Eatalian Made will be serving up warm delicious pasta and if that wasn’t enough grab yourself a sweet treat at the end! | Wednesday 10 May Plaza and Gallery 4.30 pm – 7 pm |
| Competition: Win a double pass to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow! Win with Moat Arts Festival! We have 5 x double passes to give away to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow! Australia’s biggest and best comedy festival is hitting the road for a huge 25th year! Featuring the best and brightest of the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, MICF is bringing the funny to you! Get ready for a stellar line-up with Roadshow favourites alongside the most talked-about breakthrough stars of the moment, together in one jam-packed show that’s sure to leave the whole nation laughing. | Saturday 20 May Ulumbarra Theatre 7.30 pm Submit your entry to win here |
City
| What’s on | When and where |
| Free Tickets: Best of the Comedy Festival Showcase The Comics Lounge is offering La Trobe Students a free ticket of comedy (tickets normal $35). This will be a night where you are guaranteed the best medicine – plenty of laughter and over two hours of great stand-up comedy. Email laughs@thecomicslounge.com.au with your name, how many attendees and your preferred date to claim! | 16, 18, 19, 20, 23 April The Comic’s Lounge, 26 Errol St, North Melbourne 9 pm |
| Terrarium Making Workshop Join us for a fun and interactive terrarium making workshop, as part of Moat Arts Festival! In this workshop, you will learn how to create your very own mini ecosystem in a jar. All materials will be provided, and no prior experience is necessary. This workshop is open to all La Trobe students, and spaces are limited, At the end of the workshop, students will get to take their self-made terrarium home with them. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn and create! Register for your free ticket. Spaces limited | Monday 24 April Level 3 Balcony 3.30 pm – 5.30 pm Register now |
| Paint & Sip with La Trobe Leaders You are invited to join La Trobe Leaders for a Paint & Sip session! All students are welcome (you do not need to be a Leader). Come and join us for a fun evening of socialising and painting on canvas – no artistic talent required! A small selection of refreshments will also be on offer. Register now to avoid missing out! | Thursday 27 April Level 3, Room 3.09 5 pm – 7 pm Register now |
| Native Nature 101: Native Bush Dyeing with Kylie (Laneway Learning) for International Students Join us to try your hand at Bush Dyeing with proud Durag and Wiradjuri First Nations person Kylie. Engage with Indigenous practices of using native plant material to dye fabrics – you can even bring in your own garment to customise with a natural dye! This workshop is supported by Study Melbourne and is open to all International Students, places are limited so make sure you book a spot! | Monday 1 May Level 3, Room 14 6:15 pm – 7:45 pm Register now |
| Your Mind Matters (Moat Arts Festival x Uni Mental Health day) This Moat Arts Festival x Uni Mental Health Day cross-over event is not to be missed. Join us for an afternoon get-together that’s all about relaxing, being kind to ourselves and promoting mental health. Take part in mindfulness and meditation workshops with Melbourne Meditation Centre’s Matthew Young, and hear from guest speaker Keshan Singh from Beyond Blue. Don’t miss the opportunity to unwind, destress, and make a commitment to your mental health. | Tuesday 2 May Level 3, Room 3.09 3 pm – 5.30 pm Register now |
| Sketch the City (Laneway Learning) Rediscover the city through urban sketching as you walk through the streets of Melbourne’s CBD. This workshop is supported by the City of Melbourne and is open to anyone who would like to join! | Sat 13 & 20 May, Sun 28 May & 4 Jun Melbourne CBD – Meet at Laneway Learning in the Nicholas Building Register now |
Melbourne (Bundoora)
| What’s on | When and where |
| Free Tickets: Best of the Comedy Festival Showcase The Comics Lounge is offering La Trobe Students a free ticket of comedy (tickets normal $35). This will be a night where you are guaranteed the best medicine – plenty of laughter and over two hours of great stand-up comedy. Email laughs@thecomicslounge.com.au with your name, how many attendees and your preferred date to claim! | 16, 18, 19, 20, 23 April The Comic’s Lounge, 26 Errol St, North Melbourne 9 pm |
| Philosophy Reading Club The Philosophy Society of La Trobe (PSOLT) invites you to their weekly catch-up, exploring Philosophy and discussing classic texts, with some free food thrown in. | Monday 17 April HU3-301 5 pm – 10 pm |
| Cinema Club presents: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) Join Cinema Club for our Fortnightly Double Features. Free entry and free pizza! This week, we’re celebrating LGBTQIA+ on screen, starting with The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O’Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky”. | Monday 17 April Agora Cinema 6 pm onwards More info |
| Cinema Club presents: Call Me By Your Name (2017) Join Cinema Club for our Fortnightly Double Features. Free entry and free pizza! This week, we’re celebrating LGBTQIA+ on screen, finishing our screenings with Call Me By Your Name (2017). In 1980s Italy, romance blossoms between a seventeen-year-old student and the older man hired as his father’s research assistant. Luca Guadagnino tale offers a sensual and transcendent view of first love, based on the acclaimed novel by André Aciman. | Monday 17 April Agora Cinema 8 pm onwards More info |
| Market Day in the Ag – Moat Takeover It’s the weekly Market Day – Moat style! Come along to the Ag and grab a free sausage, meet some clubs, and get involved in some performance fun! Boogie along with the Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco, be amazed by our magician, paint-along with ARGO and get your sugar hit with our exclusive Moat Art Festival Cupcakes | Tuesday 18 April Agora 11.30 am – 1.30 pm |
| Moat Launch Showcase Come and celebrate the Launch of Moat Arts Festival at the Moat Amphitheatre! The showcase will feature an excerpt of the La Trobe Student Theatre and Film production of The Importance of Being Earnest, a Welcome Smoking Ceremony and Bunjil Mungka dance performance by Djirri Djirri, as well as performances by La Trobe University Society of Music, and La Trobe students. Arrive at 3:30pm for some delicious canapés, performances start from 4pm. | Tuesday 18 April Moat Amphitheatre 3.30 pm – 5.30 pm |
| Paint & Sip with La Trobe Leaders You are invited to join La Trobe Leaders for a Paint & Sip session! All students are welcome (you do not need to be a Leader). Come and join us for a fun evening of socialising and painting on canvas – no artistic talent required! A small selection of refreshments will also be on offer. Register now to avoid missing out! | Wednesday 19 April Donald Whitehead Building Foyer 5 pm – 7 pm Register now |
| STF Presents – The Importance of Being Earnest Enjoy this student production of an Oscar Wilde classic! The Importance of Being Earnest, a Trivial Play for Serious People is a farcical comedy from the incredible wit of Oscar Wilde. What do love, handbags, overbearing aunts, and cucumber sandwiches have in common? Two gentlemen have created alter egos to escape their responsibilities. Two ladies have created imaginary romances with men named Ernest. And Lady Bracknell has completely had it with all this creativity. The Importance of Being Earnest, a Trivial Play for Serious People is a farcical comedy from the incredible wit of Oscar Wilde. Tickets $5 / $10. Presented by La Trobe Student Theatre and Film. Directed by Kat Eyres-Herd. | Friday 21 April – Saturday 22 April Menzies Theatre 7 pm Get tickets |
| Poster Sale! After four years away, the Poster Sale is back! Setting up in the Agora, choose posters from your favourite bands, anime, cult movies and more! | Monday 24 April, Wednesday 26 April and Thursday 27 April The Agora 8 am – 5 pm |
| Philosophy Reading Club The Philosophy Society of La Trobe (PSOLT) invites you to their weekly catch-up, exploring Philosophy and discussing classic texts, with some free food thrown in. | Monday 24 April HU3-301 5 pm – 10 pm |
| Moat Twilight Market The Moat Twilight Market is a key event in the Moat Arts Festival calendar! It celebrates all things creative: performance, music, craft and art! There’ll be stalls of local makers, music and roving performers, food trucks and more! There’ll be a Dreaming Space stage with live music, performances from student groups including La Trobe Society of Music and Bollywood Society, Tubby the Robot, Circus and Bubble Play and more! Plus grab some free tucker with Happy Camper Pizza and the famous Churros van. | Thursday 27 April Simpson Lawn 4.30 pm – 7 pm |
| Poster Sale! After four years away, the Poster Sale is back! Setting up in the Agora all week, choose posters from your favourite bands, anime, cult movies and more! | Friday 28 April The Agora 8 am – 5 pm |
| Philosophy Reading Club The Philosophy Society of La Trobe (PSOLT) invites you to their weekly catch-up, exploring Philosophy and discussing classic texts, with some free food thrown in. | Monday 1 May HU3-301 5 pm – 10 pm |
| Cinema Club and The Psych Society present: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) Join Cinema Club for our Fortnightly Double Features. Free entry and free pizza! This week, we’re teaming up with The Psych Society to present two films that explore psychology, closing with Nightcrawler (2014). Check our socials for timings. Socially awkward teen Charlie (Logan Lerman) is a wallflower, always watching life from the sidelines until two charismatic students become his mentors. Free-spirited Sam (Emma Watson) and her stepbrother Patrick (Ezra Miller) help Charlie discover the joys of friendship, first love, music and more, while a teacher sparks Charlie’s dreams of becoming a writer. However, as his new friends prepare to leave for college, Charlie’s inner sadness threatens to shatter his newfound confidence. | Monday 1 May Agora Cinema 6 pm onwards More info |
| Cinema Club and The Psych Society present: Nightcrawler (2014) Join Cinema Club for our Fortnightly Double Features. Free entry and free pizza! This week, we’re teaming up with The Psych Society to present two films that explore psychology, closing with Nightcrawler (2014). Check our socials for timings. This American neo-noir psychological thriller film directed and written by Dan Gilroy stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis “Lou” Bloom, a con man desperate for work who muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism… blurring the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. | Monday 1 May Agora Cinema 8 pm onwards More info |
| Market Day in the Ag: Moat x Uni Mental Health Day Takeover This week, LTU Clubs and Student Theatre & Film are teaming up with the La Trobe Wellbeing Team to celebrate Uni Mental Health Day, with a Moat-twist. Alongside the standard sausage sizzle and stalls, we’ll be running activities that celebrate how arts promote wellbeing and give you the opportunity to try something new. Paint-along with ARGO, take a break from your studies and come chillax in the Ag. | Tuesday 2 May The Agora 11.30 am – 1.30 pm |
| STF Presents – Plunging Into Performance: Staged Reading of The Twisted Sisters Plunging Into Performance is Student Theatre & Film’s weekly workshop for performing beginners! Support our inaugural PIP crew at their first performance: a free staged reading of The Twisted Sisters. | Thursday 4 May Menzies Theatre 4 pm Register now |
| Moat Closing Party – Drag Queen Karaoke! To finish off the Moat Arts Festival we’re throwing a closing party – complete with Drag Queen Karaoke hosted by Valencia! Sweet as an orange, Valencia (she/they) is Naarm’s Spanish Drag Queen Excellence. Coming from her namesake in Spain; Valencia moved to Melbourne to be trained in Music Theatre and has been working as a performer since. Take a sip of her juice! Come sing your heart out at the Eagle Bar and help us celebrate the close of Moat Arts Festival 2023! This is a (free) ticketed event – please register to receive two free drinks on arrival | Thursday 4 May Eagle Bar 6 pm – 10 pm Register now |
Mildura
| What’s on | When and where |
| Paint & Sip An afternoon of painting hosted by Studio De Vin. Free event with all art supplies, food & non-alcoholic drinks provided. | Wednesday 3 May Seminar Room 1 – BGR 103 4.30 pm Register now |
| Competition: Win a double pass to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow! Win with Moat Arts Festival! We have 5 x double passes to give away to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow! Australia’s biggest and best comedy festival is hitting the road for a huge 25th year! Featuring the best and brightest of the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, MICF is bringing the funny to you! Get ready for a stellar line-up with Roadshow favourites alongside the most talked-about breakthrough stars of the moment, together in one jam-packed show that’s sure to leave the whole nation laughing. | Friday 12 May Mildura Arts Centre 8 pm Submit your entry to win here |
Shepparton
| What’s on | When and where |
| Moat Lights Festival Celebrating both Moat Arts Festival and Shepparton’s Illuminate 2023, we’re creating an immersive experience right here on campus! The Foyer will be transformed into a light show with LEDs and music – come immerse yourselves in a theatre of lights! | 1 May – 4 May Common Ground Cafe |
| Competition: Win a double pass to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow! Win with Moat Arts Festival! We have 5 x double passes to give away to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow! Australia’s biggest and best comedy festival is hitting the road for a huge 25th year! Featuring the best and brightest of the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, MICF is bringing the funny to you! Get ready for a stellar line-up with Roadshow favourites alongside the most talked-about breakthrough stars of the moment, together in one jam-packed show that’s sure to leave the whole nation laughing. | Wednesday 17 May Riverlinks Eastbank 7.30 pm Submit your entry to win here |